Agriculture Business Development Consultant

  • Consultancy
  • Zambia
  • N/A / Month
  • Applications have closed

Verbunden Investments Limited

Privately owned Agribusiness Company

Verbunden Investments Limited (VIL) was registered in 2018, and is now in the process of full operationalisation. The company is currently engaging various partners as it seeks to implement its first 5 year strategy that promises to be the stepping board for growth of an integrated regional agriculture powerhouse.

JOB TITLE: Agriculture Business Development Consultant

ROLE PURPOSE:

To provide hands-on advisory services and compile a pre-feasibility report supporting Verbunden Investments Limited (VIL) funding proposals for viable agriculture projects within Zambia from an agronomic and financial angle. The report needs to demonstrate that the proposed project is sound on technical, economic, regulatory, social and environmental grounds. The consultant is expected to work both within and outside of Lusaka.

TERMS OF THE CONTRACT

Duration:

Starting in July 2020, the contract shall be for an initial three-month period with provision for extension for an additional three months depending on performance and/or needs of the project.

Reporting Lines:

The consultant shall report to the VIL Chairman of Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Sub-Committee of the Board of Directors for project implementation

Payment:

The consultant fees shall be ZMW15, 000 (gross) paid every month in arrears on submission of an invoice, updated project milestone report, weekly status reports, monthly status report as well as signed-off relevant deliverables. And Internet and talktime fees of ZMW1,000. Making Monthly total of ZMW16,000.00

Tools of trade:

The consultant shall provide own tools to enable deliver the project. VIL shall bare the cost of accommodation and business travel. If consultant uses own car for approved business travel, mileage claim of K3.00 per KM shall be paid.

SCOPE OF WORK

1. In collaboration with the VIL project development team, the consultant shall develop a project plan indicating project tasks, milestones, deliverables, resources and schedule against which performance and payments shall be made.
2. The consultant shall establish and maintain and issues and risks management mechanisms to capture and identify any issues that are likely to lead to implementation challenges and in consultation with all stakeholders identify mitigations for these issues
3. The consultant shall engage and attend day to day discussions with the VIL project development team, lawyers, other consultants and external stakeholders to provide agronomic inputs, evaluate, review and/or establish various VIL policies and protocols ensuring viability/profitability of the project
4. The consultant will ensure that VIL receives the deliverables as detailed in the Project Plan
5. In collaboration with the VIL project development team identify dependencies for the project:
a. Term Sheet/Project Development Agreement between VIL and for the parties coming together to conduct agricultural investment, production and supply for profit. This will include provision of analytical inputs made by the consultant about the specific business operation and related assets, equipment and/or repairs together with other facilities existing or to be constructed on specific property or land.
b. Integration to third party service providers in Project Delivery Plan
c. Support assessment of VIL project development team
d. Readiness of project partner to deliver on commitments
e. Governmental approvals/regulatory permits.
6. Align the VIL’s company operations/business processes with the project implementation arrangements agreed and where necessary provide training
7. Initiate and coordinate VIL company meetings as needs arise and those proposed by the Board of Directors or other external stakeholders
8. Recruit third party service providers to support development of the project as needed
9. In collaboration with the development team, prepare and roll out the Project Delivery Plan including budget
10. Manage the preparation of the Pre-feasibility Report and make presentation to the Board of Directors
11. Perform a liaison role with governmental authorities where necessary as the project is developed and implemented and ensure adherence to law and regulations and governmental permits/authorizations on all aspects of the project as required.
12. Develop a roadmap for development and rollout of the project
13. Develop technical specifications and budgetary requirements for all machinery, equipment, assets and facilities, including managerial and technical expertise required to profitability execute the project by VIL

EXPECTED OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES

1. Project Plan containing milestones and resources for sign-off
2. Project Delivery Plan
3. Assessments of physical structures, machinery, property or land belonging to potential partner and identification of VIL contributions in terms of repairs, overhaul & maintenance (O&M) plans, new assets, machinery, equipment and managerial & technical expertise for a joint profitable crop production business
4. Weekly Progress Status reports
5. Monthly Progress Status reports
6. Risks and Issues Log
7. Third-party service providers sign-up contracts
8. Technical inputs in the Project Development Agreement between VIL and Partner
9. Technical inputs into off-take contract
10. Pre-feasibility Report for the project

*Templates for the above to be agreed upon

Application Method:

Applications should consist of your motivation letter and CV only, in a single document. The closing date for accepting applications is 1st July 2020. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

All applications should be e-mailed to: [email protected].


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