experts on the European market for fresh fruit & vegetables, food ingredients, coffe and/or cacao.

Call for external sector experts on the European market for fresh fruit & vegetables, food ingredients, coffe and/or cacao.

The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) is an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. As part of its mission to contribute to sustainable economic development in developing countries through the expansion of exports from these countries, it coaches carefully selected companies in finding sustainable export opportunities in the European Union. (See: www.cbi.eu/ecp)

In anticipation of a new CBI Agro-Food Export Development & Promotion Programme in Latin America (currently in its preparatory stage), CBI is seeking to broaden its pool of external experts on the European market for one or more of the following product categories:

• Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, preferably tropical/exotic fruits and tropical and off-season vegetables
• Processed fruit (canned, frozen, dried)
• Edible Nuts, preferably including cashew nuts
• Grains and pulses (seeds), preferably including sesamum seeds
• Herbs and spices, preferably including cardamom and allspice
• Specialty Coffees
• Cocoa and Chocolate Products
• Honey

This call for experts is in anticipation of a European Invitation to tender, which is expected to be held in 2012.

The main task of External Sector Experts will be to coach Latin American companies in becoming successful exporters to European markets and/or in strengthening their market position in Europe. This may include: conducting supply and demand research, selection of participants, training, providing advice on product development, marketing, and European market entry, and the organization of Business-to-Business / match-making activities.

Requirements
External Sector Experts should meet the following requirements:

• At least 8 years of relevant experience in the European market for one or more of the above product categories during the last 10 years
• Extensive experience in import and marketing in Europe in a technical/commercial and/or a consultancy function in one or more of the above product categories;
• Excellent buyers' network and market knowledge of the European market for one or more of the above product categories;
• Fully acquainted with the supply situation in developing (preferably Latin American) countries;
• Acquainted with market standards, EU regulations and logistics;
• Preferably theoretical marketing qualifications;
• Excellent communicative and didactic skills;
• Sound command of the English language, both spoken & written; preferably also Spanish;
• Willingness to work on a strategic level as well as on an implementation level; with local partners of the CBI and other CBI External Experts.
• Be able to coach companies from an independent position, i.e. not be trading directly in the above product categories.

Terms of Service
On project basis; contract per activity;

Contact Information
For more information, please contact Ms Fiona Wiersma at fwiersma@cbi.eu

Please submit your CV, an introduction letter explaining your qualifications (as per the above requirements), and an indication of your daily consultancy fee to fwiersma@cbi.eu

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General Information: all CBI assignments are governed by the General Government Terms and Conditions for public service contracts (ARVODI). In addition CBI uses standard annexes.