National Business Development Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and other relevant partners are incepting the project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM). The project aims at building climate resilience in vulnerable watersheds and communities through increasing climate resilience of watershed ecosystems, stabilizing productivity and farmers’ incomes and enhancing enabling environment. Total cost of the project is estimated at USD 53.2 million, which will be co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), FAO and the Government of Malawi. The project will be implemented in 11 targeted districts in different regions in Malawi over a period of 6 years. Around 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities will benefit from project interventions and more than 83,000 heIPOres of land will be restored through application of Ecosystem-based Adaptation approach.

The positions are located in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

Reporting Lines

The Business Development Specialist will work under the direct technical supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) for the Ecosystems-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities Project (EbAM) in Malawi, under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Malawi, and in close coordination with the EbAM National Agribusiness & Finance Specialist (NAFS), project team members, and national counterparts from the government and technical partner institutions.

Technical Focus

The Business Development Specialist will provide technical support and service provision for the development of bankable business plans collaboratively with Farmer Organisations, MSMEs, and Public-Private Producer Partnerships (4Ps); organisation and coordination of agribusiness networks and events; capacity development for government staff, private sector and community-based facilitators in sustainable enterprise development.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of Village Level Action Plans (VLAPs) to foster agribusiness skills and entrepreneurial practices among farmers and MSMEs
• Use the RuralInvest toolkit to support business development opportunities in identified value chains
• Conduct regular market research, assessments, trend analysis for identification of market opportunities for EbAM promoted products and services
• Support Farmer Field Schools (FFS) curriculum implementation, knowledge generation, management and dissemination on seed technologies, agroecology, biodiversity and best agronomic practices etc
• Coordinate and support district level business forums, market exposure and cross learning events e.g. market fairs, agriculture shows, exchange visits to improve market linkages and knowledge exchange
• Identify and develop partnerships with different market players and relevant partners in the targeted districts including input suppliers, aggregators, processors, commodity buyers, government institutions and NGOs all geared toward ensuring farmers have easier access to sustainable markets for their produce through Producer-Public-Private-Partnership agreements (4Ps)
• Support Farmer Organizations, MSMEs, and 4Ps partners to collate, evaluate, and present information in business plan format using Ruralinvest tool kit for identified value chain opportunities
• Support agribusiness enterprises under EbAM in accessing financial services, grants, and funding opportunities through development of bankable business proposals and concept notes in coordination with the FARMSE programme of the Ministry of Finance
• Support brand building for products of farmers groups, cooperatives and MSMEs through promotion of adherence to international sustainability standards and practices, traceability technologies and marketing approaches in production, value addition, packaging and marketing, in coordination with Malawi Bureau of Standards
• Support the formulation, regular updating, implementation, monitoring and reporting of detailed EbAM work plan related to FOs and MSMEs business development support
• Prepare reports and maintain documentation related to agribusiness activities and project outcomes
• Prepare and submit comprehensive reports, including technical and progress updates on monthly and biannual basis summering project results, lesson learnt and recommendations on agribusiness activities and project outcomes
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, agribusiness development, business management or any other related field.
• Five years of experience working in agribusiness development, value chain development, rural financing, or other related areas.
• Working knowledge of English and Chichewa. Knowledge of Tumbuka is an advantage.
• Nationality of Malawi

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance of experience in working with UN agencies and other international organizations.
• Knowledge and skills in business training, coaching and mentorship
• Experience and strength in implementing investment project related to green business and implementation of 4Ps arrangement
• Strong background in entrepreneurship and agribusiness management, with a deep understanding of input and output markets, small-holder market linkages and working with frontline extension staff.
• Ability to develop bankable business plans, business concept notes for business financing
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team and build good partnerships.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION