Agribusiness Specialist (Firms) at Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

Job Description: Agribusiness Specialist (Firms) (01) – Lusaka

Job Title:

Agribusiness Specialist – Firms

Grade:

PIU 03

Institution:

Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II

Section:

Project Operations

Unit:

Market Connect and Credit Facility

A. Job Purpose:

The Agribusiness Specialist (Firms) will undertake the delivery of business development services and administration of the line of credit facility in order to upskill small scale agribusiness firms and enhance their access to finance.

B. Main Duties and Accountabilities:

• Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:

• Undertake effectively the implementation of training and capacity building programmes in order to enhance operational efficiencies and firm growth;
• Undertake effectively the development, implementation and review of market access programmes in order to improve access to domestic and regional markets for targeted beneficiaries;
• Undertake effectively the provision of technical support for product certification for eligible Agribusinesses and Producer Organisations in order to enhance marketability of commodities/products and reduce post-harvest losses in food systems;
• Undertake effectively the provision of business incubation and acceleration support programmes to early-stage firms in order to enable them leverage digital technologies and enhance productivity and profitability;
• Undertake effectively the identification and mentoring of agribusinesses and Producer Organisations in order to facilitate peer-to-peer learning in business management, product development and marketing;
• Undertake effectively the creation of linkages between agribusiness firms and financial institutions to increase access to financial services; and,
• Undertake effectively the delivery of financial product development interventions for PFI’s in order to ensure the products developed meet agribusiness sector requirements.

C. Minimum Academic Qualifications

• Full Form V/Grade 12 School Certificate with five credits or better including English and Mathematics;
• Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness or its equivalent; and
• Master’s degree in Agribusiness or its equivalent would be an added advantage.

D. Professional Experience:

Minimum Relevant Pre-Job Experience of Eight (8) years in Agribusiness with focus on small holder farmers and agribusiness firms.

E. Specialized Knowledge and Skills

Specialized knowledge in any of the following areas:

• Training and Capacity Building Programmes;
• Market Access Programmes;
• Business Incubation and acceleration support programmes to early stage firms;
• Knowledge of product certification;

How to Apply:

Applications accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and copies of academic and professional certificates should be emailed to [email protected] and hard copies to the address below:

The Permanent Secretary, Investment and Industrialization

Attention: Director of Human Resource and Administration

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

New Government Complex

P.O. Box 31968 LUSAKA