For SNV Ethiopia (duty station: Addis Ababa) we are looking for a
Senior Advisor for Marketing and Value Chains
In Ethiopia the agricultural marketing system is generally weak and inefficient. Surplus production is hardly matched and transactions costs are very high. Linkages between surplus and deficit as well as rural and urban areas are very weak. There is no effective transport network, and market information is absent in most rural areas. Imported food items (mainly grains and edible oil) and relief distributions distort local markets. Moreover, processing of agricultural produce is poorly developed, resulting in very little added value being created.
The Ethiopian government has now given increasing attention towards agricultural marketing away from focussing on increasing production and productivity.
The formation and strengthening of autonomous and efficient cooperatives, and their linkages with markets has been recognized by the government and other concerned actors as one of the key strategies to improve agricultural marketing and rural services. The idea is that efficient and effective farmer- and other business organisations can be the key to an efficient marketing system. They can channel the supply from their members, improve storage (and even processing) and increase the bargaining power of farmer?s vis-à-vis other actors in the value chain (traders, processors, exporters etc). In addition, the different forms of farmers and business organisations are expected to play a role in policy dialogue with the government.
Within this context SNV funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy has developed a support program – Support to Business Organisations & Access to Markets (BOAM) – which is in line with the above conclusions.
The programme consists of two components, namely a private sector component to be managed by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and Public Sector Component to be managed by the regional Governments of Oromia and SNNPR.
The approach chosen for the private sector component of this programme combines the value chain and sub sector BDS market development concepts. Whilst the value chain entails an integrated analysis and planning from input supply, production, processing and marketing, the sub sector BDS market development paradigm further requires a delineation of functions between Donors, Facilitators, Service Providers and Clients/Beneficiaries. The cornerstone of the approach is taking away critical constraints that hold back the growth of a sub sector or value chain and actively linking up to and exploiting opportunities to increase access to markets. This all is done through advisory support to local organisations and their networks, who themselves design critical interventions that will benefit all actors in the chain or sub sector. Through the availability of three programme funds – Leverage Fund, Financial Intermediation Fund and Research and Study Fund ? some of these interventions will be financially supported.
Four value chains have been chosen: Milk & Dairy, Oil & Oil Seeds, Perennial Crops (Pineapple) and Honey & Bees wax.
The Senior Advisor will fulfil his/her assignments in a team of other senior and medior private sector development advisors, in close alliance with the SNV Senior National BOAM/PSD Advisor. The Senior Advisor will report to the Portfolio Coordinator of the SNV Ethiopia National Portfolio.
Your main responsibilities will be:
? Undertake new and refine/fine-tune already executed agricultural value chain analyses for the (four) selected value chains: identify critical constraints to be tackled and promising opportunities to be exploited in order to improve access to markets for the actors in the selected value chains and in particular for the small holder producers and traders. ? Identify within the agricultural value chain analyses key actors and stakeholders and support initiatives to establish networks, market linkages and partnerships between them, with the ultimate aim of improving access to markets in the selected value chains. ? Based on the above mentioned market and actor analyses, develop ideas about how to improve the access to markets in the selected value chains and discuss these ideas ? sometimes worked out in more concrete advisory proposals ? with the stakeholders/actors in the respective value chains (in an advisory capacity) and within broader forums and platforms of development partners. ? Support the actors/stakeholders in the selected value chains, in a facilitative and advisory role, to identify and select a number of value chain interventions to be undertaken within the BOAM programme. ? Be instrumental in the promotion of linkages to agricultural markets: identify promising (possibly new) markets and its key players; constantly track changes in the market requirements (regulations, quality standards, trade conditions), collect data on specific markets and translate all the gathered data into relevant information for decision making by the actors at the various levels in the selected value chains. ? Establish networks and where possible collaborative partnerships with similar and complementary initiatives, undertaken by other organisations, institutions or programmes, like public agencies promoting and regulating private sector development initiatives (EEPA, MoTI, Ministry of ARD, Bureau of Agriculture), Private Investors and development agencies working on market development (CBI, USAID-GEM, CORDAID, Agriprofocus, GRM-Bonga, ACDI-VOCA, SHI). ? Pro-actively develop modalities to increase the opportunities for women to be actively involved in market activities as well as to increase their participation in decision making processes (e.g. through membership of platforms) within the selected value chains. ? Document interesting results, including the process followed and the input of BOAM to it, of having increased the access to markets for one or more of the selected value chains and present study and research findings at relevant forums. ? Contribute to the half yearly reports to be presented by SNV Ethiopia to the Royal Netherlands Embassy through the supply of relevant technical input.
Requirements:
Educational Background: Master’s degree in business management, agricultural economics or other relevant subjects;
Experiences: An extensive (10 years or more) market development experience, preferably in (the horn of) Africa, including:
? Strong (state of the art) knowledge of agricultural sub-sector and value chain analysis; ? Knowledge of clustering and the approach of systemic competitiveness in local economic development and/or other relevant PSD methodologies; ? Proven experience in identification, analysis and advice on agricultural value chains; ? Sound knowledge of marketing of agricultural commodities and knowledge of market potential analysis; ? Proven competence in working in an advisory capacity and as a process facilitator, being able to advise organisations on technical as well as organisational and institutional development (ODID) issues, related to improving their access to markets; ? Knowledge in gender mainstreaming and work experience in women entrepreneurship development; ? Affinity with the private sector and knowledge of its way of working; ? Strong inter-cultural skills.
Others:
? Coaching skills: as a senior advisor, you are expected to coach other advisors; ? Written and spoken English is required; ? Computer literate;
Considering the current advisor composition in SNV-Ethiopia, female candidates are strongly advised to apply.
Description duty station: Name: Addis Ababa, Capital City Medical and educational facilities: private clinics (British and Swedish), Good education facilities: Many international schools ? Dutch, French, English and other – for primary and secondary education. Security situation: No serious security risks, except, of late, for some incidents as an aftermath of the elections Accessibility: Good road between Addis Ababa and the main regional cities; international airport with daily flights to Europe and other destinations. Communication: telephone, e-mail and fax (VSAT has been installed),
Desired appointment date: As soon as possible
Contract period: Three years
Salary Scale 11: Minimum Euro ? maximum Euro gross per month (hypo tax will be deducted) depending on relevant working experience, excluding attractive secondary conditions and individual allowances
Information / application: You can apply on-line through the following internet link:
until January 5th, 2006. Reference number: ET 5393
We are aware that there are some problems with the online recruitment system. In case you encounter difficulties during the filling out of the forms you may send your application letter and CV to
We do not appreciate any commercial mediation based on this advertisement.
