The Position

Senior Specialist – Agricultural Market Systems Job Reference: SSM/IMT/07/2024

Fixed Term: 24 Months

The ideal candidate should possess deep expertise in agricultural market systems, with a proven track record in designing, implementing, and managing market-oriented interventions that promote inclusive economic growth and strengthen agricultural value chains. This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead strategic initiatives, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and drive impactful change in the agricultural sector.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a constraints analysis to determine specific value chains with intra-regional and international export potential.
• Lead the design and implementation of agricultural market systems development programs and interventions aimed at enhancing market access, competitiveness, and resilience of agricultural value chains
• Provide private sector development and regional trade technical assistance to project teams, and cross-border agricultural value chain actors involved in climate-resilient staple crops, nutrient-rich horticulture, and livestock.
• Identify and promote opportunities for value-added production, in addition to basic commodities.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to local partner organizations to enhance productive capacities, quality standards and facilitate cross-border trade.
• Develop and support scaling of in-country smallholder farmer sourcing models and enhanced value addition and agro-processing capabilities/technologies of SMEs.
• Support activities in cross-border cooperation and infrastructure development including technical assistance, coordination, leveraging additional resources, and strengthening partnerships with private and public stakeholders.
• Assist in leveraging private investments and access to finance for key value chains to enhance capacity to respond to new regional and international market opportunities.
• Provide technical support to increase the participation of youth and women in high-value commodities and value-added products.
• Develop and manage partnerships with key stakeholders including development partners, government agencies, NGOs, private sector actors, and local communities to foster collaboration and leverage resources for sustainable market development.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning initiatives by documenting best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches in agricultural market systems development.
• Represent the organization in relevant forums, conferences, and meetings to promote knowledge sharing and advocate for inclusive market systems development.

Key Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, International Development, Economics, or a related field.
• Progressive experience in designing, implementing, and managing agricultural market systems development projects, preferably in developing countries.
• Proven expertise in value chain analysis, market assessments, private sector development, and inclusive business models.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and generate actionable recommendations.
• Excellent project management skills, including budgeting, planning, and monitoring.
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively manage teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in other languages, particularly French, is a plus.
• Commitment to promoting sustainable development, resilience, and gender equality in agricultural market systems.