As e federal enterprise, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its objective in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ operates in more than 130 countries around the globe. In Malawi, GIZ has been working for more than 30 years. Malawi is a priority for German international cooperation and currently focuses on three priority areas: education, health and private sector development in rural areas. in addition to our work on these areas, we also work on public financial and economic management and social protection.
GIZ Malawi is implementing Germany’s “One World – No Hunger Initiative” through the “Global Programme: Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector”. This global programme aims to use innovations in the agricultural and food sector to boost the incomes of smallholders, create more employment opportunities, and to increase regional food supplies in rural target areas. To achieve this, the programme works with partners locally and internationally to promote innovation networks in the agricultural and food sector. while innovations can be technical in nature, for example regarding improved seed or bio-fertilizers, the project is in many cases looking at new forms of cooperation such as setting-up producer groups and encouraging companies to adopt more inclusive business models. At the heart of the project are smallholders who receive assistance to increase their production and income levels on a sustainable basis. At the same time, the project seeks to create new job opportunities. The project works in four fields of actions: (1) increasing capacities of smallholder enterprises, (2) Improving the business of up and down-stream enterprises (3) Strengthening of special interest groups and (4) Supporting the transnational knowledge exchange between value chain actors.
In Malawi, the Green Innovation Centre programme is focusing on the cassava value chain as well as on oilseed value chains, being mainly soya and groundnut.
Local experts are being recruited as Programme Officer(s) for Agribusiness, Agricultural Value chain Development and Agri-finance. He/She will support various project partners, in particular farmer organizations, MSMEs and to some extent research institutions. The positions will be based in Lilongwe with frequent travel to project implementation areas when needed.
Core Responsibilities .
- Support the programme team in designing, implementing and coordinating activities, with key implementing partners in agricultural value chains, aimed at reinforcing the dissemination of selected innovations with broad and immediate impact at direct beneficiary level and with specific consideration of youth and women.
- Implement activities aimed at assessing the demand for new technologies in input supply, production and post-harvest handling stages of the agricultural value chains with specific consideration of youth and women.
Main Tasks
The responsibilities of the Programme Officer(s) will include but not be limited to:
- Lead development and execution of selected core elements of the program’s strategic vision, goals and objectives,
- Identify change agents in programme impact areas and conduct needs assessments,
- Facilitate linkages and implement activities aimed at reinforcing access to and affordability of production enhancing innovations in collaboration with farmer organizations, private companies, and various institutions;
- Provide technical support and advisory services to key stakeholder in order to improve access to technologies (e.g. quality agricultural inputs) and to service packages at smallholder farmers and MSME level,
- Provide capacity development support to selected smallholder organizations and MSMEs in the promoted value chains in order to strengthen their access to markets through technology adoption, new forms of cooperation, aggregation of quality produce and structured dialogue between value chain stakeholders, .
- Collaborate and internet with all relevant stakeholders on issues involving generation, dissemination and adoption of new innovations, core
- Lead preparation and implementation of detailed work plan(s) of selected elements of the program, which identify, prioritize and sequence the activities required for successful delivery
- Perform systematic data collection and accurate documentation of programme activities listed above and compile regular technical reports,
- Perform any other duties as assigned.
Required skills and experience
- Most importantly, a demonstrated ability to work independently and pro-actively and take the initiative
- A Master’s degree in Agricultural Production, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agri-Finance or any related discipline.
- At least 6-8 years of professional work experience with proven track records:
- in at least one of the promoted value chains (soybean, groundnut, cassava), and/or
- in a private company operating in the agriculture sector.
- Ability to engage and advise a broad range of stakeholders including farmers at all levels, company senior management or professional staff, donor representatives and others. .
- Excellent networking and communication skills (in both written and spoken English)
- Good computer skills in business software (Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint)
- Willingness to travel domestically.
Interested candidates meeting the above requirements should submit their applications, with a one page cover letter demonstrating how they meet the above requirements, along with a detailed CV to:
The Human Resource Manager,
GIZ,
P.O. Box 31131,
Lilongwe 3.
Or
Email to: giz-malawi-hr@giz.de
The dosing date for applications is 3″ November 2017. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. GIZ is an equal opportunity employer.
