CIRAD
DUE : 13 DEC 2022
CIRAD is a French Research Institution working in Zimbabwe since 1992. Its mandate is to contribute to
poverty alleviation, food security, and integrated management of natural resources, for the benefit of
sustainable development and global public goods in Southern countries and in French overseas regions.
CIRAD is promoting innovative Research for Development, in partnership with various stakeholders:
research centers and universities, professional (farmer) organizations and the private sector, local
authorities and NGOs, and funding agencies. Training and capacity building are a major part of CIRAD
collaborative activities conducted through extended networks, projects and consortiums in more
than 40 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The SWM KaZa Project under CIRAD is promoting business development, market linkages, value addition (enterprise development) and value chain development for Livestock, Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Mucheni Community Conservancy (MCC) covering wards 3, 4 and 5 of Binga District. The aim is to create alternative viable income and food/protein sources for rural communities and to improve their livelihoods. The incumbent will therefore support rural communities in the development of value chains around Livestock, NTFPs (Baobab, Honey, and Tamarind) and Wildlife to ensure that there is business developed around the various products as required by the market. Working under the direct supervision of the KaZa Site Coordinator and in close collaboration with relevant Government Departments, private sector, development partners and communities, the Business and Markets Development Officer is responsible for initiating and supporting efforts to develop community based businesses, broker public private community partnership and to get small holder farmers to produce for the market and promote marketing of Livestock and NTFPs as well as explore and implement opportunities for communities in the wildlife sector. CIRAD Zimbabwe is located in Belgravia Harare, 6 Lanark Road.
The position
CIRAD is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Business and Markets Development Officer to be based at its office in Harare reporting directly to the SWM Site Coordinator in Zimbabwe. The candidate should be matured and flexible; Good written, oral, interpersonal and organization skills; Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff and
recipients.
Responsibilities
(under the supervision of the SWM Site Coordinator) will include but not only
Initiate talks to facilitate business development, and collaboration with market players, the private sector, including building private community partnerships in support of project activities, focusing on the Livestock, NTFP (Baobab, Honey and Tamarind) value chains in the 3 wards in particular and Binga in general;
Develop value chains around Livestock and NTFPs with scope for Wildlife in line with recommendations in the Value Chain Analysis (VCA) report and initial MCC business plan;
Train beneficiaries in marketing and business management based on the Market Analysis and
Development and/or other approaches as well as on operation, repair and maintenance of processing equipment;
Support product branding and labelling under the Livestock and NTFPs value chains;
Support product development and testing of all products by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ);
To facilitate setting up of market platforms envisaged in MCC, for the Livestock and NTFPs value chains;
To facilitate market platform meetings in the 3 wards;
Working with Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise
Development, seek opportunities and support efforts to develop and expand sustainable
market linkages that address farmers’ needs, i.e., initiate concrete market linkages with
established companies.
Provide technical advice and support to the project team and strategic partners, as required in order to establish relevant technical networks and related processes with respect to market linkages and value chain development
Identify potential bottlenecks and risks on value chains and market linkages work carried out by the project before they become problems, and suggest mitigation action.|
Perform other related duties, including the direct implementation of some technical
activities, as required
Objectives of the Assignment
(Please specify clearly and concisely the objective of assignment)
Under the Sustainable wildlife programme the BMDO is expected to:
a. Contribute to the implementation of provisions of the Business and Markets Development
activities in MCC in Binga district of Zimbabwe and remotely provide support on the same
to Simalaha/Nyawa Community Conservancies in the Kazungula and Mwandi districts of Zambia.
b. Develop partnerships and represent the SWM project during Business and Market related meetings and workshops, when necessary, e.g., with Communities, authorities, NGOs, private sector etc.
c. Participate in any other activities related to the BMDO line of work not mentioned above but identified by SWM KaZa Harare Office or the KAZA project management unit for the benefit of the SWM project or CIRAD
SPECIFICATION
Education, experience and technical skills
University degree in environmental economics, agribusiness, agricultural economics or related field will be an advantage.
At least 10 years of relevant field experience mainly in Zimbabwe or Africa supporting among other things development of community-based businesses, commercialization of smallholder producers, building linkages with input, output and/or financial markets and value chain development.
Experience in facilitating business development at the community level.
Able to communicate in good English and Tonga languages.
Good communication and computer skills.
Personal attributes and competencies
Project management in agriculture and natural resources-related projects, with good organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experienced in working with
multicultural and multidisciplinary project teams.
Excellent facilitation and team-building capacity.
Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative
atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.
Ability to work in the field on regular basis with extensive travelling.
Ability to work with local communities with participatory approaches.
Cirad is offering a collegial working environment.
TO APPLY
Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the
listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees and a police clearance. Applications should indicate “Application for
Business and Markets Development Officer CIRAD ” on their application letters. All correspondence should be addressed to the Recruiting Manager for CIRAD Zimbabwe, CIRAD, 6 Lanark Road, Belgravia Harare and submitted via email: [email protected]
Applications will be considered until the 13th of December 2022
Contract will start 3rd of January 2022
Only short listed applicants will be contacted