Value chain development officer, Mali

Salary: Competitive

Based: Bamako, Mali

Closing date: Thursday 1 December 2011 Christian Aid is a global organisation based on values of justice. At Christian Aid we work to help people living in poverty and we campaign against the systems and rules that keep them in these conditions. We work with local partners to give people the strength to find their own solutions regarding the problems they face, regardless of their religion.

In Mali, the main goal of our programme is currently directed towards the profitability and resilience of the agricultural sector and poor people's access to energy. We are currently looking for a value chain development specialist to improve the quality of our security programme on livelihoods in the sub region, including Mali and Senegal.

This post will enable us to meet the challenge of promoting cost-effective and profitable agriculture in the Sahel and securing farmers’ livelihoods by increasing their access to the market. With your solid experience in the development of value chain of the major agricultural speculations, network development, advocacy, market analysis and capacity building of local organizations, along with good knowledge of local and regional marketing of farming products, you will contribute to strengthening the link with the private sector in the implementation of our programmes in the region. You will be responsible for aligning Christian Aid’s programme in the sub region with Christian Aid’s global programme regarding engagement with the private sector. You will be based in Bamako, but will keep regular contact with the offices of Christian Aid in London and across Africa.

The role requires you to:be highly motivated and dynamic, working in a collaborative way and being focused on achieving goals through excellent skills in developing value chains and your ability to encourage the sharing of experiences and information among stakeholders and promoting co-operation between actors.

You will need to have solid experience in developing international programmes, including developing project documents submitted to donors and the production of quality reports. You will also have solid experience in co-operative management, market analysis and developing a business plan. Experience in capacity building of local organisations, as well as in organisational development, gender, monitoring and evaluation and advocacy/lobbying are important assets in achieving the objectives of the position.

You will hold a degree in international development, or a similar subject and have a good knowledge of development issues in the Sahel region. You will speak and write French fluently and fluency in English is also an important asset.

Please show your suitability for this post by giving answers to the following questions: Using the guidance notes may help you formulate your answers.

Innovation and creativity

What is the most innovative idea that you have ever come up with?

How was the idea/solution proposed different from others? How did other people react to this idea? How was it implemented? What improvement did it bring? What was the outcome?

Effectiveness and accountability

Please describe an example in which your understanding of the work of your organisation, or partners with whom you work, has influenced decisions you made.

Under what circumstances? Please explain how your decision was influenced? Were you more effective? How do you know?

Delivering goals and objectives

Please tell us about a situation where you were responsible for the allocation of resources (personnel, supplies, services, etc) from a multitude of projects.

What were the projects? What resources did you have? What are the factors you took into account for a good allocation of resources? How did you finally allocate the resources? Was redistribution necessary?

Networking

Could you please recall an occasion when you felt the need to gather lots of information from a large and disparate group of people outside of your organization? What approach did you use?

We value the contribution each person makes to the success of our organisation, so you can expect a range of rewards and benefits that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.

Download the role profile (83 KB pdf)

How to apply:

To apply for this post, please download an application pack and email your completed International application form to: malirecruit@christian-aid.org or burkinarecruit@christian-aid.org quoting the reference number below.

Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Job reference: VCD/MLI/03/2011 Closing date: Thursday 1 December 2011 Interview date: To be confirmed

Christian Aid values diversity and aspires to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.