JOB:Recruiting Seed Business Development Specialist

Recruiting Seed Business Development Specialist               DEAD LINE:Application Deadline: 15 Mar 2015

 POSITION DESCRIPTION:

From The Guardian

Recruiting Seed Business Development Specialist

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT www.ciat.cgiar.org) - a member of the CGIAR
Consortium (www.cgiar.org)- develops technologies, innovative metho s, and new knowledge that better enable farmers, especially smallholders, to make agriculture competitive and profitable as well as sustainable and resilient.
Among various research areas, CIAT has a global mandate for beans and in Africa, bean research is carried out by the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (P ABRA) which encompasses 3 regional bean research networks which are working to improve the livelihoods of small scale bean farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. P ABRA facilitates collaborative research for development within and between the networks by providing a forum for collaboration of multiple partners who include: researchers, private sector involved in bean seed and grain business, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based (CB) and producers' organizations (POs), universities and millions of farmers. The alliance operates in 30 member countries, each represented by its
National Agricultural Research System (NARS). PABRA is facilitated by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
Among various bean research areas, P ABRA facilitates access to quality seed of improved varieties by millions farmers across Africa through the various bean seed production and delivery options based on prevailing seed systems and targeted clients. For this purpose, PABRA is recruiting a Seed Business Development Specialist.
The position will be based at CIAT offices in Selian Agricultural Research Institute, Arusha Tanzania.


Main responsibility
To enhance the capacities of seed and input suppliers to provide quality seed of improved bean varieties and complementary inputs/technologies to small-scale farmers in northern Tanzania on a sustainable basis.
Duties and responsibilities:
Overall objective: the Seed Business Development Specialist (SBDS), in consultation with project team and other
CIAT staff, S/he provides leadership and guidance to the project.
Specific objectives:
In partnership with NARS and national seed services and partners development (NGOs, farmers organizations, district extension, the SBDS will support the seed producers/traders to produce and market quality seed of improved bean varieties in northern Tanzania through the agro-dealer network using affordable packs sizes targeting small holders particularly poor farmers and women.

In partnership with seed producers/traders and NARS, the SBDS will carry out R4D for testing innovative market strategies such as the use of affordable packs, assess their commercial viability including cost -benefit analysis and explore how the mainstream most viable pack size for each partners.
Manage the seed systems project assets/resources and sustain partnership to deliver on project's expected results and their targets .
Provide advice related to business development services to bean seed producers particularly ASA and Meru Agro- consultant Ltd to enhance bean seed production and delivery in business sound manner.
In partnership with seed producers/traders to design and deploy appropriate seed marketing strategies and tools to reach small holders particularly women
Train bean seed producers/suppliers in specific areas such' as seed business management including production, post-harvest, marketing, financial management, and strategy development.
Document (reports and professional publications) on improving the efficiency and sustainability of bean seed producers and supply and share knowledge. .
Support the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to design and conduct a sound Monitoring and
Evaluation (M+E) framework to capture relevant seed data and to document case studies
Assess and explore appropriate institutional linkages in order to sustain best seed systems practices and create synergetic actions for scaling up of these best practices across Tanzania. '
Represent the project in all fora and engagement
Produce and submit relevant projects reports (technical, financial and any other document) as required by the project.

Qualification and Experience .
Strong background in seed business, agribusiness and agri-economics at MSc / MA levels.
Five (3) years practical experience in managing seed business is strongly preferred.
Previous or current work on seed related activities in Tanzania is an added advantage
Good command of written and spoken English language and Swahili.

Personal Characteristics
Ability to work both persuasively and diplomatically in a team-based environment with a high degree of complexity.
Exceptional drive and entrepreneurship, a pronounced ability to motivate others
Hands-on problem-solver with strong analytical abilities.
Organizational and business planning.
Strategic thinking & creativity.
Problem analysis and problem-solving.
Team leadership and integrity.
Interested applicants should send to the below address their motivation letter, a detailed ·C.V with the names & contact information of the three referees knowledgeable about the candidate's professional qualifications and work experience. One page essay on the main steps and their sequence. for developing the ability of seed suppliers to provide quality seed of improved bean varieties and complementary inputs to small-scale farmers-on a sustainable basis.
Recruiting
CIAT is seeking Geospatial Information System Analyst (GIS) who has Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) skills to support the Bean Research Areas in Tanzania; the position will be responsible for GIS mapping and spatial analysis in different project areas under the guidance of a senior scientist and bean seed systems project. The GIS Analyst will also work independently, depending on the specific project(s).
The position will be based at CIAT offices in Selian Agricultural Research Institute, Arusha Tanzania.
Main duties and responsibilities include:
The GIS will share the project result based and performance measurement framework with project team members (seed producers, NARS, district extension)
Using GIS data, map all the project implementation areas and zones -sites and related activities
U sing sites characterization data, modeling and other suitable areas where similar approaches can be used.
GIS database management .
Cartography and creating of well-designed map layouts
Automation of spatial analysis processes
Participate in fieldwork data collection activities analysis and publication.

Qualification and Experience

At least a MSc Degree in a geo-information related field with a minimum of 3 years relevant experience
Proven ability of operating open source (e.g. QGIS, GDAL) and commercial GIS (e.g ArcGIS) application software and its advanced analysis and modeling packages/functions.
Spatial data collection with the use of a GPS receiver
Good cartographic and graphic design skills using various software applications e.g. Adobe Illustrator
Basic knowledge of statistics and ability to use statistical programs '
, Ability to design and deploy project management tools (planning and monitoring and evaluation systems)
Ability to work with map servers will be an added advantage
Organizational skills in order to assure quality data and traceable workflow
Capacity/willingness to work in the field .
Excellent English writing skills with the ability to write clearly and concisely for a range of audiences
Experience of working with the agricultural/conservation scientific research community

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested applicants should send to the below address their cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed C.V with the names and contact information of-three referees knowledgeable about the candidate's professional qualifications and work experience.

Terms of employment
Both positions are nationally recruited with the initial contract of one (1) year, subject to a probation period of three (3) months, and are renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits; we believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender, Women are encouraged to apply


All applications should be sent by email to Human Resource Unit, CIAT, P.O. Box 2704, Arusha, Tanzania