Agribusiness – Markets & Value Chains Assistant

Terms of Reference

Agribusiness – Markets & Value Chains Assistant

National position

RDP3 is a Rural Development Programme financed by the European Union and implemented in Manufahi District by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and the Ministry of Infrastructure (MoI), under the overall coordination of the District Administration and the Ministry of Economy and Development. RDP 3 field operations started in November 2009 and will last until mid 2013.

Position

The Agribusiness – Markets & Value Chains Assistant is part of the agribusiness implementation team and will primarily focus on the development and implementation of the Marketing Information System, on dissemination of market information and on development of value chains in Manufahi district.

The Agribusiness Assistant works under the responsibility of MAF Manufahi Director but will be under the supervision of the Agribusiness and Community Development Expert. The position will be until December 2012 with possible extension.

Job Description

Planning of activities:

1. Actively engage in program activity and budget planning in accordance with the objectives, the results, the OVIs and the budget of the programme.

2. Actively engage in short to medium term agribusiness activity planning.

Implementation of activities:

1. Collect of market prices and volumes on a regular basis.

2. Regularly process and analyse market prices and volumes and as such further develop the Market Information System.

3. Regularly put acquired market information in the format required by the MAF Agribusiness Unit at National level. Forward this information to the MAF Manufahi Agribusiness Officer.

4. Prepare outreach information packages to disseminate the available information through radio, magazines, workshops, meetings, posters and brochures.

5. Assist in the preparation of a series of workshops aiming to develop specific value chains and to formulate a district agri-business development strategy.

6. Assist in the establishment of Farmers-Traders platforms in sub-districts and in further supporting these platforms.

7. Assist in training of MAF staff and community groups in basic marketing strategies making use of the information collected.

8. Any other duties as requested by the Agribusiness and Community Development Expert.

Evaluation / Reporting:

1. Evaluate the progress in implementation of activities, by regularly comparing targets / plans to actual results and analysing reasons for discrepancies.

2. Assist in preparing short and clear presentations for regular coordination meetings.

3. Prepare monthly progress activity reports and submit them to both the MAF Manufahi Director and the Agribusiness and Community Development Expert.

Qualifications

1. Graduated in agro-economy, economy, business administration or equivalent.

2. At least 3 years experience in the development of small/medium enterprises/businesses, preferably in rural areas and agriculture sector.

3. Good understanding of the development tasks and approaches in rural areas, especially when dealing with beneficiaries.

4. Demonstrated strong team spirit, and excellent inter-personal relationship skills.

5. Good professional records in the preparation of concise reports in English.

6. Computer literate using MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

7. Bright, energetic and dynamic.

If you are interested in this position, please hand-carry your CV with a Cover Letter to Marie Laure Bergey, Finance & Contracts Expert @ RDP3 office - Ministerio da Agricultura e Pescas (MAP) Compound, Comoro, Dili or you can also send it by email to marielaure.rdp3@gmail.com. Full details of the job description can be acquired at RDP III office.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
CLOSING DATE FOR THE POSITION: December 26, 2011