SUMMARY
ADRA International is seeking an Agriculture and Market Systems Lead for an anticipated USAID–funded Feed the Future activity in Madagascar. The activity aims to improve food security, increase the income of smallholder
farmers, and support broader economic growth by increasing agriculture and livestock productivity; enhancing efficiency of productive resources (land, water); and introducing modern production practices. The activity will also ensure farmers have access to quality inputs, technologies, information, credit, and financial services, and that they meet market quality standards. ADRA has implemented humanitarian and development activities in Madagascar for 32 years with funding from various sources, including major international donors such as USAID. As Agriculture and Market Systems Lead, your strategic vision, leadership, and adaptive management will deliver results while expanding ADRA’s position as a leader of economic growth programming in Madagascar. You will be responsible for technical oversight and management for the three objectives of the activity: enhancing resilience and livelihoods; increasing food security through sustainable agricultural production; and strengthening agricultural value chains, market linkages, and agribusiness.
This position is contingent upon receipt of funding and requires donor approval.
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PRE-REQUISITES
Required
· Master’s
degree in business, agriculture, agribusiness, agronomy or related field
· Minimum
of 5 years of experience in technical and managerial roles, with increasing
responsibility leading to senior level expertise. USAID/other internationally
funded project management experience is highly preferred.
· Demonstrated
experience leading large-scale, agriculture and market systems Development
programs intended to improve household food security, nutrition, and resilience
through increased agricultural productivity, market linkages, and inclusive, agriculture-led
economic growth.
· Demonstrated
experience working with, and addressing barriers within, agricultural market
systems, input and output markets, seed systems; as well an understanding of
behavioral constraints (regulatory, cultural, operating environments) to
implementing agriculture interventions.
· Demonstrated
experience creating effective private sector linkages that create sustainable
win opportunities for the businesses and activity participants. Understanding
of improved agricultural production and productivity, input and output
marketing technologies, integrated pest management, climate smart agriculture, conservation
agriculture, irrigation post-harvest handling, and/or market information
systems.
· Prior
experience connecting value chain stakeholders with financial institutions for
access to credit and other financial services.
· Experience
working in Madagascar preferred.
· Demonstrated
ability to network and engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
· Knowledge
and familiarity with USAID funding and award compliance.
· Written
and spoken command of English. French language is strongly preferred.
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BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
· Leading and Supervising – Provides others with a
clear direction; motivates and empowers others; recruits staff of a high
caliber; provides staff with development opportunities and coaching; sets
appropriate standards of behavior; give regular feedback.
· Presenting and
Communicating Information – Speaks
clearly and fluently; expresses opinions, information, and key points of an
argument clearly.
· Formulating Strategies and Concepts – Works strategically
to realize organizational goals; sets and develops strategies.
· Planning and Organizing - Sets clearly defined
objectives; plans activities and projects well in advance and takes account of
possible changing circumstances; identifies and organizes resources needed to
accomplish tasks; manages time effectively; monitors performance against deadlines
and milestones.
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RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provide
leadership, management, and supervision of the technical team focused on agricultural
production, agribusiness, market linkages, and value chain development to
achieve activity objectives and outcomes.
2. Provide
technical guidance and oversight of agriculture and inclusive agriculture-led
growth programming to improve food, nutrition, and economic security through
agricultural production and household resilience.
3. Manage
activity interventions and livelihood strategies/approaches that lead to
livelihood resilience and diversification, market linkages, and private sector
engagement.
4. Ensure
that national, donor, and global production and market standards are adhered to
through activity reviews, site visits and dialog with private sector
stakeholders
5. Create
initiatives for inclusive agriculture and market systems development that
create opportunities for women, youth and persons with disabilities.
6. Develop
tools for successful implementation, monitoring and reporting of related
interventions
7. Develop/update
technical strategies, standard and protocols relating to the activity
8. Document
and report on any learning or best practices identified during the activity
interventions
9. Manage
collaborating, learning, and adapting approaches that apply learning and best
practices that promote adaptive activity management, collaboration with the government
of Madagascar, and other USAID and donor activities.
10. Prepare relevant technical reporting
and planning documents as needed.
11. Communicate with the activity team
and ADRA International team any successes and issues that arise during the
execution of the activity.
12. Perform other duties as assigned.
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TRAVEL
Up to 50% domestic and international
travel required. Must have the ability to travel at short notice if necessary.
Travel within Madagascar dependent upon security conditions.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that demonstrates God’s love and compassion. ADRA works with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive change through empowering partnerships and responsible action.
The successful candidate must understand, respect and honor the mission, purpose and identity of ADRA.
