CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: ACDI/VOCA
Country: South Sudan (Republic of)
Closing date: 04 Nov 2013

Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has 78 projects in 35 countries and total revenues of approximately $173 million.

Marketing Specialist, South Sudan

ACDI/VOCA is currently seeking a long term Marketing Specialist for the FARM (Food, Agribusiness and Rural Markets) program, a current five-year, USAID-funded project in South Sudan. The program is designed to increase agricultural productivity in selected commodities, increase trade, and improve the capacity of producers, private sector and public sector actors in South Sudan to develop commercial smallholder agriculture. The FARM program fosters economic growth to reduce poverty and food insecurity by improving the competitiveness of staple food value chains (maize, sorghum, cassava and groundnuts) in which large numbers of smallholders participate.

The Marketing Specialist position is based in Yei and, under the leadership of the Value Chain and Private Sector Development Expert, will provide technical direction to Component 2: Increase Smallholder Access to Market Services. The broad objectives of this component are to improve the competiveness of local agricultural production, alleviate constraints to market access, identify new market channels, and establish linkages between farmers, producer organizations, agribusinesses and end markets. This is a critical and integrated component to the FARM program as markets ultimately dictate the guidelines for all operations and decisions made by growers, processors, packers, shippers and other actors within value chains.

Responsibilities:Conduct market analyses to determine which commodities are most profitable and identify market requirements in terms of quality, quantity and timeliness of supply. Work with farmer and producer organizations to understand market requirements and coordinate with other project staff on the types of production, inputs and technologies needed to meet this demand.Provide assistance in conjunction with other technical staff to build the capacity of producer organizations (whether associations or cooperatives) to perform marketing functions.Conduct training of traders, processors and other intermediaries to provide services that increase the competiveness of local production. Develop market linkages between farmers and other value chain actors by establishing business relationships and facilitating deals (both formal and informal) which open new market channels for producers. Identify equipment repairers and provide training on operation and maintenance.Train 120 cooperative union members on warehouse management and monitor the use of knowledge gained on the warehouse management.

Qualifications:Minimum 5+ years of experience working on agricultural development and competiveness projects. Master’s degree in relevant agriculture/agronomy technical field preferred.Demonstrated understanding of the value chain approach.Experience implementing activities in large, complex projects in challenging environments. Fluency in English required.

How to apply:

Please apply online at http://acdivoca.maxhire.net/cp/?E55469361D43515B7E59192F77571C6904627B4D. No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE.