Agribusiness Development Expert

Background of the Organization

Wako Gutu Foundation (WGF) is non- governmental relief and development organization established with overall objective of promoting inclusion of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the development process and ensuring that the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are sufficiently benefiting from the development gains realized in the country. The Foundation was established by the community leaders in the lowland areas of Bale zone in memory of General Wako Gutu, a veteran who witnessed a lifetime commitment for promoting social and economic welfare of pastoral and agro pastoral communities in Ethiopia. It has been registered as National Civil Society organization by Federal Authority for Civil Society Organizations bearing a registration number 0457.

General Assignments / Scope of the Role:

The Agribusiness Development Expert is responsible to develop and implement a social marketing intervention for agriculture, adapted to the specific context and constraints of Berbere District. He/she will support the achievement of the innovation project agricultural production, and marketing objectives, principally through leading the project’s capacity building strategy with farm innovative agents and farmers in the project implementation areas; developing strategies and activities that lead to increased and improved linkages between farmer groups, business service providers such as micro-finance institutions, multipurpose cooperatives, private agro input suppliers and government; and managing the monitoring and evaluating the social marketing strategy.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop social marketing strategy in line with the project objectives and tailored to local needs and constraints, and promote value chain for local agricultural products to create a sustainable business model and market linkage.
• Formulate detailed work plans to implement activities which address identified sustainable agriculture development needs of project participants
• Mapping of potential actors of the agricultural market targeted by the project, such as, local suppliers for agricultural inputs and other material (e.g. irrigation, etc), micro finance institutions, multipurpose cooperative, governmental institutions related to the activity, existing farmers groups, Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA), women’s Self Help Groups, etc.
• Support Micro business plan for Agricultural products the can be executed at family level
• Identify private agro input suppliers and link the farmers with market and facilitate delivery contracts with private agro input suppliers to make farm inputs accessible.
• In close coordination with the Area Project Coordinator, s/he will facilitate farmer’s access to farm inputs for smallholder farmers.
• Ensuring that the project direct project participants, Women Economic Groups, youth, cooperatives, irrigation user groups and associations have the knowledge and skills to develop and run successful business plan.
• Reporting on follow up, trainings, support provided to groups, monitoring activities, farm productivity and other multiple local agricultural activities.
• Facilitate in house and on field peer farmers learning platforms on the agribusiness development activities.
• Assess and identify business opportunities and spots for the target beneficiaries, actors, cooperatives, youth, Women Economic Groups, irrigation users and small holder farmers in the district.
• Collect information and document learning from the social marketing component in addition to success stories and case studies
• Actively contribute to grant proposal development as required.
• Ensure timely tasks delivery with attention to the quality.

Duty Station: Bale Zone, Berbere District

Reports to: Area Project Coordinator

Employment Type: One year contract period with possibility of extension

Number of the vacant post: 1 (One)

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor degree in Agricultural economics, Economics, Agribusiness, Cooperative Management or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in development, agribusiness, social marketing, and/or innovations for innovation resilient building project.
• Experience in Human-Centered Design (HCD) and/or other qualitative and participatory learning tools and formative research experience in capacity strengthening on technical aspects of agribusiness/social marketing.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated skills in agriculture and social entrepreneurship
• Strong communication skills, Partnership, Networking and team work sprit.
• Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision
• Interest to settle, work and frequently travel to  within the project Implementation area
• Experience in community development and NGO work.
• Must have a valid motorbike riding permit/License  and ability to ride long distances
• Committed to take additional responsibilities when deemed necessary
• Proficiency in Afaan Oromo is a must; understanding local dialect and experience in working with pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are advantageous.
• Value and respect the indigenous knowledge of the community
• Basic computer skills; such as Microsoft word, Power point, Excel and etc.