Urgent vacancy for Cocoa Value Chain Manager at Winrock International

Cocoa Value Chain Manager

Desired Course(s): Agronomy, Agricultural Economics
Application Deadline: September 22nd, 2012
Experience: 3-5 yrs
Job Status: fulltime
Location:Other

Job Details

Winrock International is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to work with the poor and disadvantaged in the United States and around the world to help them increase long term productivity, equity and sustainable resource management. Program emphasis includes agriculture and rural development, forestry and natural resource management, rural enterprise and employment, renewable energy, and women's leadership. Over 100 projects are underway in forty developing countries and the United States.

Job Title: Cocoa Value Chain Manager


POSITIONS DESCRIPTION

The Value Chain Manager shall coordinate all programmatic activities related to the value chain including:
Provide constant supervision on the program’s technical assistance activities including on-farm demonstrations, training activities and pilot activities that will improve both competitiveness at the farm level and efficiency and effectiveness of raw material supply to processors
Liaison with agro-processors and client firms to assist with planning, implementation and monitoring of specific activities
Develop in collaboration with client agro-processors conditions for outgrower contracts and arrangements that are acceptable for both sides (outgrowers and client agro-processing firms).
Supervise on-farm demonstrations on improved technologies and new practices required by specific buyer(s) to improve competitiveness at the farm level, assist with development of training materials and training in collaboration with private service providers hired by the project.
In collaboration with the client agro-processors, assist in linking outgrowers to inputs (tractor services, fertilizers, crop protection products etc.) when necessary.
Assist client agro-processing firms with the development of harvesting, collection and transport plans that minimize costs and risks.
In addition to technical tasks, the Value Chain Manager will assist with M&E activities, drafting scopes of work and providing inputs for quarterly reports and work planning exercises.

Education:
Degree in agronomy, agricultural economics or related discipline.
Professional experience in extension work, training and institutional linkages.
Demonstrated experience in or cocoa production and processing and market-led agricultural development is a must.
Experience in developing and promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural production and processing techniques is desired.

Knowledge/Skills
Knowledge of commodity value chain development is a strong advantage.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical and marketing assistance to farmers and agro-processors is desirable.
Ability to work collaboratively, and build alliances with relevant groups, organizations, agencies, businesses, private or public sectors is highly important.
High level of initiative and creativity.

Other
S/he must be a team player, able to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

SALARY AND BENEFITS
The annual salary range will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Position also includes benefits.

TO APPLY
Send application letter and CV to [email protected].
Location: Only applicants from south-west Nigeria is eligible and will be given due consideration.