Job Title: Agribusiness Cluster Specialist
Organisation: International Fertilizer Development Center
(IFDC)
(IFDC)
Funding Source: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Duty Station: Kabale, Uganda
About IFDC:
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public
international organization (PIO) governed by an international board of
directors with representation from developed and developing nations. The
non-profit center focuses on increasing and sustaining food and agricultural
productivity in developing countries through the development and transfer of
effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness
expertise.
international organization (PIO) governed by an international board of
directors with representation from developed and developing nations. The
non-profit center focuses on increasing and sustaining food and agricultural
productivity in developing countries through the development and transfer of
effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness
expertise.
About CATALIST Project:
IFDC is recruiting staff for the 4-year CATALIST-Uganda Project, funded
by DGIS through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kampala. The
project aims to enable over 110,000 Uganda smallholder farm families to produce
and market potatoes, cassava, rice, soybean and sunflower on a commercial
scale.
by DGIS through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kampala. The
project aims to enable over 110,000 Uganda smallholder farm families to produce
and market potatoes, cassava, rice, soybean and sunflower on a commercial
scale.
Job Summary: The IFDC Agribusiness Cluster Specialist (ABC
Specialist) will manage the development of agribusiness clusters for priority
the commodity—Irish potato—as well as crops grown in association with these
potato (usually as rotations). The ABC Specialist will coordinate the
identification, training, and activation of agribusiness clusters (ABCs). ABCs
are defined as a all actors collaborating to build profitable value chains
(producers and their organizations, input suppliers, financial service
providers, processors – warehousing – value addition, traders – buyers –
market-parties, business development services, others). The agribusiness
cluster approach is designed to support rural smallholders to move from
subsistence farming to farming-as-a-business through a sustainable improvement
in productivity and quality, leading to marketable surpluses and increased
family incomes.
Specialist) will manage the development of agribusiness clusters for priority
the commodity—Irish potato—as well as crops grown in association with these
potato (usually as rotations). The ABC Specialist will coordinate the
identification, training, and activation of agribusiness clusters (ABCs). ABCs
are defined as a all actors collaborating to build profitable value chains
(producers and their organizations, input suppliers, financial service
providers, processors – warehousing – value addition, traders – buyers –
market-parties, business development services, others). The agribusiness
cluster approach is designed to support rural smallholders to move from
subsistence farming to farming-as-a-business through a sustainable improvement
in productivity and quality, leading to marketable surpluses and increased
family incomes.
The Agribusiness Cluster Specialist will also be responsible for
translating value chain opportunities into viable businesses in their region of
operation. S/he will facilitate and coordinate the formation of ABCs, then
facilitate agribusiness cluster interactions between value-chain actors that
lead to agreements that are mutually beneficial to the parties involved, and
provide support to value chain actors in business plan development. With the
assistance of the project ABC Advisor based in Kampala, s/he will be liaise
with larger companies (including national and Dutch agribusinesses) and
facilitate their contacts with cluster actors, and will also work with
financial service providers to develop financial instruments for the various
actors. S/he will identify local business service providers who can support
agribusiness clusters that want to target profitable agricultural market
opportunities. S/he will be supported by technical expertise available within
IFDC and partner organizations, including commercial companies that are
partnering with IFDC in the development of viable agribusiness clusters. The
ABC specialist will work closely with project agronomists, also regionally
based.
translating value chain opportunities into viable businesses in their region of
operation. S/he will facilitate and coordinate the formation of ABCs, then
facilitate agribusiness cluster interactions between value-chain actors that
lead to agreements that are mutually beneficial to the parties involved, and
provide support to value chain actors in business plan development. With the
assistance of the project ABC Advisor based in Kampala, s/he will be liaise
with larger companies (including national and Dutch agribusinesses) and
facilitate their contacts with cluster actors, and will also work with
financial service providers to develop financial instruments for the various
actors. S/he will identify local business service providers who can support
agribusiness clusters that want to target profitable agricultural market
opportunities. S/he will be supported by technical expertise available within
IFDC and partner organizations, including commercial companies that are
partnering with IFDC in the development of viable agribusiness clusters. The
ABC specialist will work closely with project agronomists, also regionally
based.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Actively participate
in the identification, analysis and evaluation of farmers’ constraints and
in the assessment of the potential impact of a range of technological
solutions in their region of operation. - Organize agribusiness
clusters at various levels, and train cluster participants to identify and
exploit business opportunities. - Conduct feasibility
studies and formulate business plans. - Identify and recommend
a range of on- and off-farm services, as well as service providers,
required to facilitate the adoption of productivity-enhancing products and
the commercialization of farm surpluses. - Significantly
contribute in the design of strategies to strengthen the linkages between
farmers’ associations, the private sector, government and civil society - organizations.
- Facilitate market
driven linkages between agribusiness producers, wholesalers, processors,
and markets within Uganda. - Conduct regular field
visits to project sites provide hands-on technical assistance and
monitoring of program activities and implementation. - Offer capacity
building support and mentoring to field-based Agribusiness Cluster
Specialists as required. - Contribute to M&E
activities, including data collection and reporting, in coordination with
the project M&E and Innovations Advisor.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The candidate should
hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (business, agriculture,
economics, etc.) - Significant
understanding and knowledge of the private sector, government and non-government
organizations and farmer associations in their area of operation. - Prior experience in
organizing farmers into larger clusters, involving other cluster actors. - Good working knowledge
of value chain(s) for priority commodity(s) in their area of operation. - Practical knowledge of
Uganda the private sector. - Past exposure and
experience with gender mainstreaming in projects highly desirable. - Good networking
skills; existing relations with government, private, and NGO value chain
actors. - Proven ability to work
and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including the
private sector, other projects, local governments and international
agencies. - Previous experience
agricultural/agribusiness development programs desirable. - Proven track record of
achieving development impacts in a similar context. - Strong management,
leadership, and interpersonal skills. - Excellent
communication and reporting skills in English - Knowledge of one or
more languages spoken in area of operation. - Ability to work
independently and to take initiative. - Good networking
skills; existing relations with government, private, and NGO value chain
actors. - Willingness to travel
extensively in region of operation
How to Apply:
All candidates should endeavour to Apply Online
by clicking on the link below. Follow the instructions on how to create resume
and Apply
by clicking on the link below. Follow the instructions on how to create resume
and Apply
Deadline: 30th September, 2014
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