Senior Agribusiness Development Specialist

Title:  Senior Agribusiness Development Specialist

Reports to:  Project Manager

Location:  Ramadi or Baghdad

Travel:  50%

About NEF

For over 100 years, NEF has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic development initiatives. Its programs are organized around three themes: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for a Senior Agribusiness Development Specialist position to be either based in or with frequent travel to Ramadi, Iraq. This role requires the ability to (1) lead the agribusiness support services component of this project to facilitate the development of small farming enterprises in the small ruminants value chain; and (2) build the capacity of a cohort of locally embedded Master Trainers, and design modules and systems to support beneficiary businesses through the business diagnostic and development process.

The individual should be able to assess relevant markets to deliver a support package that can facilitate enterprise growth, job creation, and access to markets for the project participants.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and the overall leadership of the Country Director, the Agribusiness development specialist will have the following responsibilities:

• Identify gaps, constraints, and bottlenecks related to production, processing, value addition, and marketing for selected small farming enterprises in the small ruminants value chain and help establish business linkages between producers, service providers, processors, and traders;

• Assess the support required by selected agribusinesses;

• Support the recruitment of Master Trainers and Coaches in three locations;

• Lead on updating business diagnostic and development curricula;

• Build the capacity of Master Trainers through training, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring;

• Oversee and optimize the agribusiness development process, including the development of business plans, financing, and post-financing coaching and mentoring to facilitate agribusinesses' growth and job creation;

• Build and maintain relationships with entrepreneurs, Master Trainers, and local partners;

• Assist with the identification of agribusinesses to receive project support;

• Update and manage post-financing business strengthening, coaching, and acceleration support;

• Ensure tight management of milestones and progress of supported businesses;

• Monitor and report on market trends, including skills, market, and enterprise-level analysis to inform programming;

• Conduct internal technical reviews, programmatic reflections, best practices, and learning and adaptation exercises;

• Develop the market engagement strategy to facilitate the delivery of project outcomes;

• Collaborate with other teams to ensure mainstreaming and integration of technical or supporting areas related to market access facilitation;

• Contribute to and provide inputs for the work plan, required project reports, baseline data, tools and indicators for monitoring and evaluation, and collection / sharing of lessons learned;

• Document lessons learned, evaluate the impact and modify approaches as needed;

• Any other related task assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful Senior Agribusiness Development Specialist must be a self-directed individual with the following qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business studies, economics, agriculture economics, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum 3 years of related experience preferably working in agribusiness support roles, for the UN/INGOs sector.
• Ability to use known business analysis tools to identify problems and propose solutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong verbal and written communication in English and Arabic, consultation, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent facilitation skills.
• Capacity to work independently, and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills; and
• Ability to multitask under pressure, meet tight deadlines and deliver quality results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Based in Al-Anbar province, Iraq.
• Experience in market systems or value chain development.
• Experience in Training Trainers.

NEF will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  The first review of applications will begin on December 19, 2022.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents:

1. Cover letter outlining relevant experience and skills based on the requirements outlined above;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer).

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.

Females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pre-employment Checks

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:

• A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening;
• Receipt of satisfactory references;
• Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.