Partnership Officer at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Overview

The Partnerships Officer (PO) will support IFDC East and Southern Africa to develop, manage and pursue partnerships and new business opportunities that will result in increased revenue and impact.

The PO will report directly to the Deputy Director, IFDC East and Southern Africa and will collaborate closely with IFDC Country Representatives, IFDC Field Programs, and the US-based Program Development Unit (PDU). As new partnerships and business are secured, the PO will supervise a growing team starting initially with a shared Program Management Intern.

Duties

• The PO will closely work with the above mentioned staff to:
  • identify and engage key stakeholders and partners in the target countries;
  • identify and undertake background research on potential opportunities and target countries;
  • conduct or coordinate in country reconnaissance;
  • design project intervention strategies;
  • support in-country proposal recruitment of staff
  • write concept notes to donors and partners
  • support proposal development, including writing of technical narratives, integration of contributions by other IFDC staff and compilation of complete proposal applications
• Liaise with donors and partner organizations to identify and monitor new business opportunities throughout East and Southern Africa.
• Assist the Deputy Director IFDC East and Southern Africa in developing new business.
• Provide coordination, management and development of business planning activities across East and Southern Africa and communicate and collaborate in the implementation of these activities with other IFDC staff.
• Support the Deputy Director or his designate in the development of proposal calendars, assignment of responsibilities for completion of all required proposal sections, establishing proposal review teams and processing of required documents, representations and certifications, and the involvement of other organizational units.
• Perform a variety of other related duties as required.

Required Skills

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Extensive knowledge of agriculture, food security, agribusiness, and input markets in East and Southern Africa supported by experience working in these countries
• Proven skills in developing partnerships and generating new business; track record of developing and writing successful concept notes and proposals
• Strong critical thinking, problem solving, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Ability to perform under time pressure, be flexible, work independently, manage multiple tasks and work effectively as a leader and team member in fast-paced multi-cultural environment.
• Passion for market-led approaches to helping the rural poor to improve their livelihoods.
• Knowledge of input and fertilizer markets is strongly desirable.
• Knowledge of M4P (making markets work for the poor) or market systems methodology is highly desirable
• Team player with a strong focus on results.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Experienced and willing traveler.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Fluency in written and oral English. Proficiency in French would be an added advantage.

Required Experience

• Master's degree in business administration, international development or agriculture-related field and at least 5 years relevant work experience in analytical and strategic roles within the private sector and/or international development sphere with a record of proven success.
• Experienced and willing traveler.