Agribusiness and Inputs Advisor-East and Southern Africa at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Position Overview

The East & Southern Africa Agribusiness and Inputs Advisor (AIA) will lead agribusiness activities related to fertilizers and input sector development. The AIA will support national and regional projects in East & Southern Africa as well as support IFDC’s strategic priorities including new business through the development of concept notes and contributing to proposal development. S/he will be based at IFDC’s Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya with regular travel to support regional projects as needed. S/he will be part of IFDC’s Research Team and projects which the AIA will work on, as well as the East & Southern Africa Regional team.

Specific Activities

The AIA will undertake the following activities:

• Provide technical leadership and support to the development and implementation of agribusiness and input sector market development activities;
• Liaise and work closely with private sector companies, service providers (including ICT, finance, etc.), industry associations, development partners, Ministries of Agriculture, government agencies and stakeholders in the region and serve as a key point of contact in agribusiness and input market activities;
• Maintain an active and dynamic policy dialogue with the above-mentioned entities to facilitate technical discussions, brokering/partnering in agribusiness and input sectors;
• Stimulating private agribusiness and input sector by brokering partnerships between actors in the value chain; strengthen stakeholder business and management skills and providing targeted training and coaching to nurture business relationship and trust;
• Coordinate meetings on key issues related to agribusiness and input market development including related sectors such as access to finance, ICT, etc.;
• Be responsible for agribusiness and input market working group/platform meetings (preparation, reporting and following up recommendations)
• Provide support in the development of new business related to agribusiness and input market issues. Activities may include the development of concept notes and technical inputs into proposal development;
• Participating in and conducting training programs and other capacity building activities related to agribusiness and inputs;
• Provide support in other areas of work and undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the Regional Director and BFS-Program coordinator/Program Leads.

Location & Travel

This position will be based at IFDC’s Regional East & Southern Africa Office in Nairobi and primarily covers countries and projects in the region. Support may be required to other countries in which IFDC operates and/or to other IFDC offices and international conferences, workshops, meetings at other locations. Travel is estimated 25-30%.

Contract

Successful candidates must be eligible to work in Kenya will receive a national contract based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Required Skills

• This position requires broad agribusiness and input sector development skills including finance, brokering/partnerships, coaching and the ability to lead and participate in the implementation of projects associated with agriculture development;
• Knowledge and understanding of economic, market, agriculture, and fertilizer and agricultural input conditions in East & Southern Africa;
• Knowledge of agribusiness and input sectors actors and market dynamics, knowledge of international development agencies, government ministries and agencies, and donors;
• Strong computer skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders from smallholder farmers to service providers to entrepreneurs of all sizes as well as policy makers;
• Proven experience and skills in project management, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E);
• Superior level of resourcefulness and the ability to work independently, manage and complete multiple tasks simultaneously, and to meet deadlines under pressure;
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with a multi-disciplinary team, development partners, local communities and government agencies in East & Southern Africa;
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed;

Required Experience

• A Master’s Degree in economics, finance, agribusiness, public policy, business administration, or international affairs and 5-7 years’ experience or a Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years’ experience