Job Description
Background
The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Programme is a 5-year, € 39 million project being implemented in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The project uses an inclusive Business Development approach to support the international and Dutch efforts on climate change and sustainable production in arable farming. The programme will work with and through the private sector and supports public sector partners in creating an institutional environment for wide-scale adoption of CSA-practices. It is driven by 3 pillars: i) adoption of CSA practices & technologies in arable crop production farming systems; ii) acceleration of investments and business growth in selected value chains; iii) improved enabling environment for scaling out of CSA. Interventions are centered on business cases which are derived from a thorough climate risk assessment and financial analysis of value chains in pulses, oilseeds, potatoes and grains. A climate smart business case matching grant facility aims to further improve access to finance and facilitate scaling. The programme is implemented by a consortium consisting of SNV, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the CGIAR research programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Agriterra and Rabobank, and is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS).
Job Description
The Agribusiness Expert / Country Programme Manager has the responsibility of the development and implementation of business cases whereby climate smart agriculture interventions are integrated into the value chain from an agronomic, financial and inclusion perspective. Prioritised value chain commodities are pulses, oilseed and grains. The Agribusiness expert will identify and support business cases for the co-investment fund and broker access to finance and investment of the businesses. S/he will coordinate and work with financial institutional partners to scale climate smart investments. The agribusiness expert / country programme manager will take on delegated responsibility of in-country programme management from the overall programme manager.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and contribute to value chains and climate risk assessments of prioritised commodities (pulses, oilseed, potatoes and grains);
Identify business cases for the co-investment fund;
Support agribusinesses to develop the business cases;
Establish appraisal criteria for the co-investment fund, design milestone based payment scheme and contribute to the assessment of the business cases;
Coordinate with the fund manager the planning and disbursement of grant funds;
Support the implementation and roll-out of business cases;
Broker access to finance and investments between SME’s and financial institutions;
Monitor and report the performance of the business cases as per the set milestones;
Advise financial institutions on climate smart business investments to leverage climate finance money;
Set-up of coaching programs on agribusiness management for female entrepreneurs and youth;
Support agribusiness platforms to promote, advise and jointly agree on climate proofing value chains, policy recommendations and climate smart investments;
Manage the in-country programme in all aspects of project management: budgets, human resource, activities and reporting;
Oversee and support country programme implementation and report to the programme manager.
Qualifications
A relevant academic qualification: Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics or Business Administration;
Minimum of ten (10) years of experience of working with or in Agribusiness, preferably in the prioritised commodities (pulses, oilseed, potatoes and grains);
Knowledge of the prioritized commodities preferably at global level and in East Africa;
Experience in value chain development and agribusiness finance, preferable experience with climate finance;
Ability and demonstrated experience of designing and appraising business cases;
Experience in female and youth entrepreneurship programs;
Strong agribusiness relationship management experience and focus with the ability to stimulate trust and confidence with clients and investors including managing various stakeholders;
Understanding of climate change risk management and inclusion of smallholder producers into the supply chain;
Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills;
Proven experience in managing projects: Financial, Personnel and Operations;
Flexible approach to take on additional responsibilities as assigned/delegated;
Willingness to travel to all project locations;
Excellent organising, negotiation, influencing and advisory/coaching skills.
Additional Information
This is a full-time national role with the successful candidate being contracted on a 3-year basis with the possibility of renewal. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive secondary benefit package.
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