Strategic Partnerships And Expansion Associate

Job Summary:

The Strategic Partnerships & Expansion Associate is responsible for supporting Yarashoo Agro Industry PLC’s strategic growth, expansion planning, and resource mobilization initiatives. The role works closely with the leadership team to develop strategic documents, identify funding opportunities, establish partnership frameworks, and create structured fundraising systems to support business expansion, agricultural value chain strengthening, and sustainable growth.

Employment Type:

• Part-time assignment
• Contract Duration: 3 months with possibility of extension to 6 months
• Assignment Period: Expected completion within 3–6 months
• Work Location: Yarashoo Head Office (as needed)

Educational Qualification:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Finance, Agribusiness, or a related field.

Experience Requirement:

• Minimum 4–6 years of experience in strategy development, investment research, fundraising, or partnership development.
• Experience working with development finance institutions, donors, or impact investors is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with agribusiness, food systems, or agricultural value chains is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience preparing strategic reports, investment proposals, or funding applications.

Key Responsibilities:

Expansion Strategy Development

• Develop a comprehensive Yarashoo Expansion Plan to support medium-term business growth.
• Conduct internal and external analysis to assess growth opportunities in domestic and export markets.
• Review existing business models, operations, and market positioning.
• Identify priority expansion areas including production capacity, new product lines, geographic expansion, and market development.
• Develop phased implementation roadmaps with operational, financial, and partnership requirements.
• Define milestones, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Prepare final expansion documents for internal and investor use.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy

• Develop a structured partnerships and engagement strategy.
• Map and engage stakeholders including development partners, NGOs, government agencies, research institutions, private sector actors, farmer cooperatives, and international buyers.
• Identify strategic partnerships that support technology transfer, farmer development, sustainability, market access, and financing.
• Develop engagement approaches, communication strategies, and partnership coordination mechanisms.

Funding Landscape Mapping and Investor Research

• Identify and research financing opportunities from multiple funding sources.
• Map impact investors, venture capital firms, DFIs, donor programs, grant facilities, concessional financing mechanisms, and blended finance opportunities.
• Categorize opportunities by funding type including equity, debt, grants, technical assistance, working capital, and lease financing.
• Prepare a funding pipeline database with investment focus, eligibility criteria, timelines, and application processes.
• Recommend high-priority opportunities aligned with expansion objectives.

Development of Funding Application Templates

• Develop reusable templates for grant applications, investment proposals, financing requests, and partnership proposals.
• Prepare standard supporting documents including company profiles, investment cases, impact narratives, financial summaries, and ESG alignment documents.
• Create an internal toolkit to streamline future fundraising activities.

Reporting and Strategic Advisory

• Provide periodic progress updates and strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Present findings and recommendations from funding and partnership analysis.
• Participate in strategic discussions related to growth and expansion initiatives.
• Prepare final assignment reports and implementation recommendations.

Deliverables:

• Yarashoo Expansion Plan (Draft and Final Versions)
• Yarashoo Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
• Funding Landscape Mapping Report and Funding Pipeline Database
• Funding Application Templates and Proposal Toolkit
• Periodic Progress Reports and Final Summary Report

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Strong research and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent report writing and documentation skills.
• Strategic thinking and structured problem-solving ability.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.
• Strong planning, organization, and project execution capability.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Skills Required:

• Economics / Statistics