Senior Agriculture Value Chain Specialist, USAID GEEL Full Time

RTI International is an independent organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. With a worldwide staff of more than 4,000 people, RTI offers innovative research, development, and a full spectrum of multidisciplinary servicers. RTI was founded in 1958 as a centerpiece of the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.

Growth, Enterprise, Employment & Livelihoods (GEEL) is a 5-year USAID-funded project designed to promote and facilitate inclusive economic growth in Somaliland, Puntland and other existing and emerging federal states. The project is currently focusing on the agricultural sector, fisheries and renewable energy and will operate across six value chains and sectors: Banana, Sesame, Fresh fruits and Dried Lemons, Livestock/Dairy, Gums, and Resins and Fisheries. It will also seek to strengthen the business enabling environment through improving access to finance, policy and regulation, and business development services. Focus will be given to increase the participation of women and youth in the economy as entrepreneurs, employers, and employees.

Position Overview

This role will address the challenges related to agribusiness exports while increasing in-house technical capacity and the use of new technologies and skills through out-grower management trainings, learning and exchange visits. Working closely with the Chief of Party and technical teams, the Senior Agricultural Value Chains Specialist will support GEEL in providing ongoing coaching and mentoring support to strengthen the private sector to improve its production capacity leading to increased productivity and profitability as well as supporting business growth efforts that include small, medium, and large investments.

This role will be part-time (75%) and based in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Roles and Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• The Senior Agriculture Value Chain Specialist is responsible for contributing to the project’s outcomes and ensuring that all targets and deliverables related to agriculture are met according to the schedule outlined in TO-2 and the GEEL work plan. He or she will provide strategic vision and oversight to these program activities;
• S/He will provide technical expertise and support technical staff focusing on areas such as agribusiness, enhanced agricultural production, post-harvest handling, storage, and processing, improved food safety and security, improved market linkages, business development, new product marketing and branding and regional trade facilitation and capacity building of agricultural partners;
• S/He will advise on the development and collection of relevant end market research as well as provide analysis on the information and supervise the broad dissemination of the information to Somali stakeholders and potential investors;
• S/He will work with project team members to organize trade missions, competitiveness events, value chain working group platforms and broader stakeholder forums;
• S/He will assist the project technical teams in designing methodologies used for identifying measures that can be taken with companies, businesses, cooperatives, associations, and other intermediaries, to improve their performance, sales, production and competitive pricing;
• S/He will advise the M&E team as needed in capturing all the anticipated benefits from value chain interventions;
• S/He will participate in the development of EOIs, RFPs and APS under the grants fund;
• S/He will serve as a member of the selection committee overseeing grants.

Required Skills And Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, economics, agriculture or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with 12 years of experience.
• Minimum eight years’ experience in agribusiness in developing countries.
• Experience working in the agriculture sector in Somalia, specifically supporting the private sector companies, is preferred.
• Experience in promoting private sector inclusive economic growth, specifically sourcing from smallholder farmers is required.
• Proven international networks in agriculture and livestock.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to foster collaborative relationships.
• Fluency in written and oral English required.

Tagged as: Agriculture Value Chain, RTI, Somalia