Agriculture MSME Consultant

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

AGRICULTURAL MSME CONSULTANT

Company: Agova Zambia Ltd.

Location: Northwest Province

Contract Length: TBD

Remuneration: TBD

About Agova:

Agova is a women-owned, women-led, impact-driven consulting firm based out of Zambia and serving clients across Southern Africa, supporting MSMEs to thrive in a way that has a positive social and environmental impact. Agova works with public and private sector players to incubate and grow MSMEs, particularly women-led businesses in the agricultural sector, and develop gold-standard insights on ‘what works’ to propel the MSME sector to grow and innovate. To date, Agova has supported 8,300 MSMEs across Southern Africa (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho) and unlocked $18.5M in funding for Agova-supported MSMEs. At Agova, our mission is to collaborate with both public and private sector partners to conceive and implement strategies that not only propel business growth but also contribute significantly to sustainable development. We are committed to reshaping traditional notions of business success by going beyond mere shareholder value. Instead, we champion the creation of value for all stakeholders affected by a business, including customers, employees, suppliers, natural resources, and local communities. Join us in our journey to re-think the way businesses thrive, where success is measured not only in financial terms but also in the positive impact made on the broader community and the environment.

Job Description:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our team as an Agri-MSME Business Development Specialist. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working with micro and small enterprises in the agricultural sector across a range of value chains. The candidate should have a comprehensive understanding of micro and small enterprises.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Support:

• Provide targeted support to micro-enterprises, focusing on capacity building/coaching for governance structure, compliance structure, financial literacy, and basic financial management.
• Facilitate access to markets and finance by identifying and implementing tailored solutions for micro-enterprises.
• Support farmers and enterprises in improving productivity through good agricultural practices, effective disease/pest management, and other relevant techniques.
• Assist micro-enterprises in accessing market information via market intelligence sources and digital platforms.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Leverage experience and understanding of relevant market players and financiers within the micro-enterprise segment.
• Negotiate and facilitate off-take contracts for micro-enterprises, securing financing deals to enhance their operational capabilities.

B2B Forums and Networking:

• Organize and host B2B forums tailored for micro-enterprises to foster collaboration and market exposure.

Supply Chain Management:

• Support micro-enterprises in building effective supply chain management skills, with a focus on managing producer groups, overseeing production planning, ensuring quality standards, and meeting volume requirements.
  Coaching and Training:
• Provide coaching and training sessions to micro-enterprises, covering key aspects including governance, compliance, financial management, and sales & marketing.
• Identify and negotiate input/equipment financing schemes for micro-enterprises, facilitating relationships with financiers and providing tailored support for meeting requirements.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, supply chain management, business administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience in providing capacity building and coaching support to micro-enterprises, particularly in areas such as governance structure, compliance, financial literacy, and basic financial management.
• Deep understanding of the micro-enterprise sector, including its unique challenges, regulatory environment, and market dynamics.
• Strong knowledge and experience in supply chain management, including managing producer groups, overseeing production planning, ensuring quality standards, and meeting volume requirements.
• Sound understanding of financial principles and practices, with the ability to assist micro-enterprises in financial management, budgeting, cash flow management, and accessing finance options.
• Demonstrated ability to provide coaching and training in business capacity building.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Interest in “Shared Value” (businesses solving social/environmental challenges by reshaping their business strategy).
• High-level of computer literacy with a solid command of Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Has leadership experience and demonstrated ability to take initiative.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to design and implement work plans, within set timelines.
• Ability to travel within Zambia (when required).

Agova Offers:

At Agova, we prioritize the well-being and professional growth of our team members. As part of our commitment to fostering a positive work environment, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support your success and enhance your overall experience with us:

Dedicated Managerial Support: A dedicated manager to provide guidance and support in your day-to-day tasks, ensuring a smooth and enriching work experience.
Competitive Compensation Package: Enjoy a competitive gross salary that not only reflects your skills and contributions but also includes additional perks such as housing, lunch, transportation, and communication allowances.
Comprehensive Health Insurance: Access a comprehensive health insurance package, ensuring that you and your loved ones are covered for medical needs.
Continuous Learning and Development: Engage in our tailored professional development to develop key personal and professional skills.
Team Building and Social Events: Participate in Agova’s vibrant team-building activities and social events, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among our team members.

If you are passionate about contributing to the growth and sustainability of agri-SMEs and possess the required skills and experience, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Join us in making a positive impact on the agricultural sector and fostering the success of small enterprises. To apply, please send an email with the subject line “Agova MSME Consultant” to [email protected] by May 27th, 2024 and fill out the questionnaire at the link here.