Market Development Associate

Job Description

Title: Market Development Associate

Company Name: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Vacancy: Not specific

Job Location: Cox's Bazar

Employment Status: Contractual

Educational Requirements:
∎ Master's degree in Agriculture, Business Administration, Development Studies or in related field;

Experience Requirements:
∎ 3 to 5 year(s)

Job Context:
∎ Reporting Lines
∎ The Market Development Associate is a SC 05 position and will work under the overall supervision guidance of the FAO Head of Sub-Office, Cox`s Bazar, Bangladesh and the direct supervision of the Market Development Specialist, the incumbent will be responsible for implementation of the agricultural market development interventions in the field level and provide technical support to the partner organizations. S/he will also assist the Market Development Specialist in developing and implementation of programmes and projects related to agribusiness, value chain development and establish farmers` market linkages with a focus to the marginal and smallholder farming families.
∎ Technical Focus
∎ The Market Development Associate will assist in planning the market development activities and lead the field implementation to explore the market with the host community farmers` groups. S/he will maintain a very good working relationships and linkages with the government organizations, development partners, and private sector actors to ensure quality input, services, and commodity marketing. S/he will collaborate closely with the Livelihoods/Agricultural team in ensuring the delivery of programme activities, promoting farmers` access to the FAO established aggregation centers and FAO-WFP led farmers ` markets in the Cox`s Bazar district.
∎ Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Job Responsibilities:
∎ Understand and analyse farm productivity, crop diversification appropriate for the farmers' groups and business models to enhance farmers' access to the market;
∎ Determine the cost benefit analysis of the existing agricultural commodities produced by FAO supported farmers' groups to promote their businesses in the rural market;
∎ Organize business linkage meetings and trainings for farmers, local service providers, market actors and relevant private sector representatives at union and sub-district levels;
∎ Conduct field based demand and supply analysis of agricultural commodities;
∎ Assist identifying diversified crop market actors, conduct rapid market assessment, develop value chain maps and identifies constraints, market-based solutions, and incentives to integrate small-scale producers into diversified crop supply chains and commercial distribution networks;
∎ Monitor the field level activities of the partner staff to ensure their capacities in exploring market opportunities for the farmers' groups /value chain actors;
∎ Provide technical assistance to the producers in organizing promotional events and demonstrations of their farm produces;
∎ Conduct regular field visit and spend significant period of time with the farmers, stakeholders and market actors in strengthening linkages among them;
∎ Play key role in increasing farmers' groups access to the higher market in maximizing the profit with their potential commodities/ high value products;
∎ Contribute in establishing aggregation centres/collection points and market outlets to explore market opportunities for the potential /high value commodities of the farmers' groups;
∎ Assist in preparing the progress reports and documents in a regular basis for the management, donors and other stakeholders;
∎ Perform other related duties, as required.

Additional Requirements:
∎ Minimum 3-5 years' experience in agri-business development, rural market system analysis (inputs and outputs), farm economy and good understanding on market development strategies, approaches and market for the poor (M4P);
∎ Professional experience with agro-based private sector entities will be an added advantage.
∎ National of Bangladesh
∎ FAO Core Competencies
∎ Results Focus
∎ Teamwork
∎ Communication
∎ Building Effective Relationships
∎ Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
∎ Technical/ Functional Skills
∎ Ability to work under pressure independently within a project team and to mentor the development of the people working with him/her
∎ Ability to communicate in a credible and effective manner
∎ Skills in advocacy, tact, and versatility and a high degree of discretion and integrity
∎ Fluency in spoken and written Bengali & English Language
∎ Skills on training/coaching on financial aspects
∎ Experience in budgeting and financial report preparation
∎ Computer skills (word processing, Spreadsheet) are essential.
∎ Knowledge of finance and administrative policy policies.

Application Deadline: 14 Dec 2020

Company Information:
∎ 5 Dec 2020
∎ Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
∎ Business : UN Organization

Category: NGO/Development