SNV Burkina Faso SENIOR AGRI-BUSINESS ASSOCIATE ADVISOR

Are you interested in joining an organisation with a long term commitment to fighting poverty? Would you like to work in an international and challenging environment with focus on achieving results?

SNV Burkina Faso is looking for a dynamic candidate to fill the post of:

SENIOR AGRI-BUSINESS ASSOCIATE ADVISOR

Based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Consultancy contract

SNV – the Netherlands Development Organization – is an advisory organization that promotes market based solutions for the poor in 33 countries around the world. Our advisors, and the local capacity builders we work with, deliver support to clients across our Agriculture, WASH and Renewable Energy sectors. SNV aims to achieve more impact in income, employment and access to basic services by the provision of high quality Impact Investment advisory services. In this, we build upon our existing knowledge, experience and foot print in Value Chain development in the Agriculture sector.

SNV is looking for a Senior Agri-Business Associate Advisor with investment expertise and proven experience in developing and implementing Inclusive Business solutions and value chain finance. The candidate will play a strategic role in developing approaches and tools of work in this field. S/he will collaborate closely with the sector leaders and align Impact Investment advisory services with existing programs and targets in the sector. S/he will cultivate strong connections with priority funders and agribusiness, and ensure alignment of internal programming. S/he will deliver quality advisory services, will identify opportunities, lead proposal and tender writing and drive impact investment deals.

Responsibilities

Provision of Capacity Development Services;

• Assist Impact Investment Advisory Services activities; engage with agribusiness and financial institutions in Burkina; forge innovative and inclusive business and finance models to engage small holder farmers across value chains,
• Market studies, value chain assessment, developing marketing strategies

Networking and Resource Mobilization

• Further strengthen SNV´s niche and reputation in the Agri-business sector among key stakeholders in Burkina, identify opportunities, develop new program concepts and proposals, and support resource mobilization for SNV’s Agricultural Development Program in Burkina.
• Explore, establish and maintain effective partnerships with key funders in agriculture, agribusiness and food security sectors.
• Support writing of proposals and project references for agriculture activities in Burkina
• Identify organizations that can work with SNV as Local Capacity Builders (LCBs); include and steer these LCBs as clients and/or sub-contractors in the advisory work
• Network, liaise and play a leadership role with international business and donors

Knowledge Development and Coaching

• Take the lead and in developing and standardizing value chain and inclusive business approaches and product within SNV Burkina in agriculture.
• Translate the theory of Value Chain Development to practice and facilitate the learning and development of others (Provide coaching to team members)
• Provide content leadership to the SNV Burkina Agriculture team and strengthen SNV Burkina knowledge base.
• Capture, structure and document both explicit and tacit knowledge in our advisory role. Consciously leverage the use of knowledge in the development and application of contextualized solution.
• Participate in external and internal networks that contribute to the development of approaches and practical tools for the SNV Agriculture program.

Reporting lines

• Advisor will work in close collaboration with the Agriculture team, the Country BD officer, the Regional Impact Investment Advisory services Coordinator, and report directly to the Country Director

Candidate Profile

• Master’s in Business Administration, Agricultural business management, Agricultural Economics or a related field is required
• Candidate will have a strong background in agro-economics, business management or private sector experience in Agri-business. Experience working with farmer group programs preferred
• 10 years of international working experience including work in agriculture in Africa
• Good understanding of field realities, with ability to link different professional spheres: business, government, development and funding agencies
• Solid interpersonal networking and cross cultural skills with a demonstrated abilities to manage multiple complex pursuits.
• Comprehensive knowledge of international funding agency and finance environment including multilateral and EU organizations, development banks, foundation, investment funds
• Proven track record in business development including developing business plans
• Prior experience in developing cohesive proposals that are responsive to donor’s needs
• Experience with impact investment strategies, value chain financing options would be an added advantage.
• Strong financial analysis skills and excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal/ people management skills and excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent spoken and written French and English
• A high level of self-motivation and a true passion for helping the needy
• We are particularly interested in people with significant private sector experience.

Contract duration: Consultancy contract of 1 year, with the possibility of renewal

Desired Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary: We offer a competitive associate - consultancy contract

Information on duty station

Duty station: Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso

Health services: Acceptable

Educational facilities: There are International schooling systems in English and French

Security situation: Good.

Accessibility: Daily flights.

Salary: Attractive package, depending on relevant experience, includes individual allowances.

How to Apply:

Please apply by clicking on http://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/326129 and completing your application in our in-house recruitment system before 15 September 2012.

More information about SNV

SNV is a non-profit international development organisation established in the Netherlands in 1965. For over 40 years, SNV has been at the forefront of development, helping to build local capacity and empower local families and communities to break the cycle of poverty. We are present on the ground in 36 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Balkans and operate in Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. Our 900 advisors in the field come from a variety of cultural and technical backgrounds, and over 60 per cent are nationals of the countries where we work.

For more information, please refer to our website: www.snvworld.org