Agri-Business Development Service Advisor (Contingent to donor funding)

Summary of the Position

This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about promoting youth employment, creating entrepreneurial opportunities for young women in agribusiness, and addressing systemic barriers to young women’s empowerment and their businesses. We are seeking a professional with considerable experience in business development services and eco-systems.

Reporting to the Deputy Program Manager-technical lead, the Agribusiness Development Service (ABDS) Advisor will be part of the program team and responsible for leading the design and quality implementation of the agribusiness development service strategy of the project. You will be an advisor to the program team and drive collaborations with consortium partners’ agribusiness development service officers/experts to ensure alignment in all related strategies.

The Agribusiness Development Service (ABDS) Advisor will lead and provide strategic guidance and expertise on the BDS component of the program, ensuring tailored services and strategic support to enhance the capacity of implementing partners, government offices, and program staff. This role focuses on strengthening the business competitiveness of agribusinesses by supporting startups, high-growth MSMEs, and leading firms to scale their operations, create jobs for youth, and contribute to project goals. This role focuses on providing tailored, demand-driven, and innovative BDS, including influencing for a better ecosystem. This position involves collaboration with the private sector, BDS providers, MSMEs, and project staff.

Lead BDS design and implementation to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs and the private sector, driving growth and jobs

• • Lead the design and implementation of the BDS component of the project to support startups and growth-oriented MSMEs and lead firms in expanding their operations and creating employment opportunities for youth.
  • Develop and oversee a comprehensive BDS strategy tailored to meet the specific needs of the different MSEs.
  • Conduct assessments to identify gaps and opportunities in BDS provision on both the demand and supply sides of the ecosystem to guide BDS strategies.
  • Design and implement tailored BDS strategies for startups and growth-oriented MSMEs, addressing their unique needs to improve business performance and competitiveness.
  • Work closely with other advisors to identify and assess lead firms in the agribusiness sector to understand their supply chain dynamics, capacity-building needs, and potential for engaging rural young women.
  • Design and implement tailored BDS solutions for lead firms to strengthen their role as market enablers and facilitate linkage between lead firms and youth-led MSEs to promote business growth and employment creation.
  • Review existing materials and develop manuals, guidelines, and tools for BDS provision customized to the different needs of MSEs.
  • Identify, train, engage, and mentor BDS service providers to deliver customized and effective support to agribusinesses and MSEs.
  • Collaborate with partners to develop a training and mentoring program for BDS providers, preparing them to support business growth more effectively.
  • Build and support networks of local BDS providers, including training and intensive mentoring, and share experience.
  • Strengthen the capacity of project staff, government partners, and the private sector to enhance their understanding and delivery of BDS.
  • Take a lead role in developing information kits and delivering awareness-raising initiatives to educate MSMEs on available BDS options and create demand
  • Map and assess MSMEs with growth potential to identify gaps and business challenges and match them with appropriate BDS solutions (e.g., advanced technologies and value-added, business planning, financial management, marketing, and digitalization) to drive growth and job creation.
  • Introduce and leverage innovative methodologies and tools of BDS to drive MSME growth, including BDS voucher, digitalization of BDS services, etc.
  • Pilot fee and incentive-based BDS provision to MSMEs and implement scale-up activities.
  • coordinate linkages between MSMEs and qualified BDS providers, oversee service delivery, and ensure timely resolution of issues.
  • Facilitate access to specialized BDS for growth-oriented MSMEs and resources that align with the ambition and scale of each MSME.
  • Design approach and methodology to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and experience-sharing platforms, enabling MSMEs to exchange knowledge, best practices, and insights with peers and industry experts.
  • Capture feedback from MSMEs on the quality of BDS received and identify opportunities to improve the design and delivery of the BDS system.

Networking and Collaboration:

• • Collaborate with stakeholders, including government entities, private sector actors, and local organizations and associations to strengthen the BDS ecosystem.
  • Foster partnerships with lead firms and private sector actors to strengthen value chains and market opportunities.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to promote climate-smart and innovative agribusiness practices that enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of MSMEs.
  • Work closely with local partners, BDS providers, including women-led BDS providers, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of program activities.
  • Collaborate with project staff, implementing partners, and local stakeholders to ensure cohesive and aligned delivery of BDS activities.

Knowledge management and learning:

• • Collaborate with the MEAL team to establish mechanisms to track and monitor the effectiveness of BDS interventions and measure their impact on agribusiness growth and track jobs created.
  • Develop tools to measure enterprise growth, including but not limited to job creation, revenue, and productivity.
  • Analyze and report the impact of BDS interventions on enterprise growth and youth employment.
  • Provide regular updates and reports on progress, outcomes, and lessons learned.
  • Work with the MEAL team to collect data, assess program performance, and ensure accountability for results.

– Take on other responsibilities within the project that will help the team to achieve the desired results.

Qualifications:

• • MA degree in Agribusiness, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, or a related field.
  • At least 10 years of experience in designing and implementing BDS for startups and growth-oriented MSMEs, preferably in the agribusiness sector.
  • Demonstrated experience in working with MSMEs or related sectors, showcasing a deep understanding of their challenges and opportunities.
  • Strong skills in training, capacity building, and mentoring diverse stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication, partnership-building, and partnership management skills.
  • Familiarity with private sector development, agribusiness value chains, and in rural contexts.
  • Extensive experience in MSME development, business advisory services, and supporting women entrepreneurs in rural settings.
  • Women candidates are encouraged to apply
  • Flexible and able to adapt to a multicultural environment and complex situations.
  • Fluency in English is required.

Additional Skills & Competencies

• • Strong understanding of inclusive approaches, particularly for Rural young women and marginalized groups.
  • Strong expertise in job creation strategies and supporting MSMEs to scale operations and create employment opportunities.
  • Proven ability to work with lead firms, private sector actors, and value chain stakeholders.
  • Strong understanding of agribusiness dynamics, climate-smart practices, and market-driven approaches.
  • Demonstrated skills in monitoring and evaluation, particularly in tracking job creation and enterprise growth metrics.

Contract Type: National, Full-time

This position will be based on donor funding and approval confirmation.

Expected start date:  March/April 2025

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contract Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance.

How to Apply? 
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on March 7th, 2025.  

Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality.

Link: https://www.snv.org/careers/agri-business-development-service-advisor-contingent-to-donor-funding-744000044192983

If your experience and skills match the position’s requirements, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.