DIRECTOR, AGRIBUSINESS INNOVATION CENTER (AIC)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 
DIRECTOR OF AGRIBUSINESS INNOVATION CENTER (AIC) 

Private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS: www.pass.ac.tz) is a non-bank financial organization that facilitates provision of business development and financial services and credit guarantee to commercial farmers and agri-businesses that operate as small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania. The vision of PASS is to become a leading organization in the provision of financial and business development services in the Tanzanian agricultural sector. As a continuous process of striving to attain this vision, PASS is launching an Agribusiness Innovation Center (AIC) with support from DANIDA and infoDev of the World Bank Group 

The AIC will aim to promote the growth of agro-processing enterprises in Tanzania that have the potential to become local, national, or regional market leaders. It will achieve this goal by helping pioneering growth-oriented entrepreneurs access the knowledge, networks, technology, markets and capital they need to grow their enterprises 

PASS is now looking for a director to head the Agribusiness Innovation Center (AIC), first formed as a Department of PASS. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing the AIC strategy recruiting and managing a team, developing and managing a diverse set of partnerships, continuously adapting and refining the AIC service offering and sustainability model, overseeing the planning and administration of the AIC, and directing all activities which support the AIC’s growth and mission 

To this end, PASS is looking for candidates with a results-oriented mind set, entrepreneurial experience and demonstrated understanding of issues relating to entrepreneurship. In addition to their through understanding of the local agribusiness/food processing sector, candidates should demonstrate that they can motivate and lead terms and engender trust amongst all stakeholders along agribusiness value chains 

If you feel up to the challenge of leading the establishment of Tanzania’s first private service provider targeting the growth of local pioneering agro-processing enterprises. Please review thoroughly the detailed job description below and apply by sending a cover letter and anelaborate curriculum Vitae at: kim@kimconsulting.net 

JOB DESCRIPTION 
TITLE: DIRECTOR, AGRIBUSINESS INNOVATION CENTER (AIC) 
RESPONSIBLE TO: PASS MANAGING DIRECTOR 
OVERALL PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Director of the Agribusiness Innovation Center (AIC) will lead the establishment of Tanzania’s first private service provider targeting the growth of local pioneering agro-processing enterprises. The Director will be responsible for developing and executing the AIC strategy, recruiting and managing a team, developing and managing a diverse set of partnership, continuously adapting and refining the AIC service offering and sustainability model, overseeing the planning and administration of the AIC, and directing all activities which support the AIC’s growth and mission 

Context 
The private Agricultural Sector Support (PASS) organization is launching an Agribusiness Innovation Centre (AIC) in Tanzania with support from DANIDA and InfoDev of the World Bank Group. The AIC will aim to promote the growth of agro-processing enterprises in Tanzania that have the potential to become local, national, or regional markets leaders. It will achieve this goal by helping pioneering growth-oriented entrepreneur’s access the knowledge, network, technology, markets and capital they need to grow their enterprises. Entrepreneurs will pay for the services rendered by the AIC through a range of payment options, largely premised on success sharing 

The clients of the AIC will be selected using a competitive process akin to that used by angel inventors. The success of the AIC will first be measured by the growth of the agro-processing enterprises it serves. Other important measures include the effect these growing agro-processing enterprises have on the incomes of smallholder farmers, and on indirect employment creation in sectors such as transport and packaging. The AIC also plays a role in “paying the way” for others; by developing innovate partnerships with key stakeholders in the agro-processing eco-system, including corporations financers, farm-level organizations academia and government. The AIC will contribute to the creation of new business models, instruments, and policies that benefit a broader group of agro-processing entrepreneurs beyond those directly served by the AIC. 

It is PASS’s intention to fast track the launch of the AIC by starting it as a department inside PASS. Once PASS has gained experience with the operational requirements of the AIC, the AIC can gradually be converted into a subsidiary of PASS, once PASS has gained experience with the operational requirements of the AIC, the AIC can gradually be converted into a subsidiary of PASS and form a separate company. The PASS Board will periodically review the trade-offs between keeping the AIC as a department, establishing it is a subsidiary under PASS, and spinning the AIC out as an independently entity. 

The AIC concept was delivered by infoDev in consultation with more 200 Tanzania stakeholders. The implementation in Tanzania will be the first implementation of an AIC in infoDev’s Agribusiness Innovation Program. Several others will be launched in the coming years, with the aim to derive a new and improved approach to advancing the growth of pioneering agro-processing enterprises. The AIC Director will thus not only be contributing to real business results in Tanzania, but also to global knowledge of how to best catalyze the growth of a vibrant agro-processing sector. DANIDA has committed to providing the seed financing for the establishment and operations of the AIC for a 4-5 year period subject to satisfactory progress by meting the performance and sustainability goals as set out in the business model 

The Director of the AIC will report to the PASS Managing Director who will ultimately report to the Board of Trustees PASS. An AIC Steering Committee has also been set up, comprised representative of all key decisions pertaining to the advancement of the AIC 

The Director’s key areas of responsibility include 
Strategy and Planning 
i.    Prepares an annual business plan to achieve the AIC mission and a sustainable business model 
ii.    Implements a results-based management framework to ensure the continual development of the AIC, introduces and monitors key Performance indicators and Key Performance Targets for the AIC. Analyses performance against key Performance indicators and key Performance targets and takes corrective action as appropriate 
iii.    Directs and participates in the AIC’s operations planning and recommends goals for program development 

Client Relationship Management 
i.    Managers the selection process of suitable high growth potential clients for inclusion in AIC 
ii.    Monitors supported enterprise business performance, and provides guidance and coaching to resolve potential business problems or capitalize on opportunity 
iii.    Resolves grievances and issues raised by supported enterprises and staff 
iv.    Solicit on-going feedback on quality and level services and facilities provided. This will range from start-up of the AIC to entrepreneurs of the AIC 
v.    Marketing and Partnership Development 
vi.    Represent the AIC vis-à-vis financiers, corporate bodies, academia, farm-level organizations, and government agencies that affect the ability of Agro-processing entrepreneurs to the AIC, and to develop effective shared value partnerships with financiers, corporations, academia, and farm-level organization and government agencies 

Product and Business Development 
i.    Introduce and manage new value-added services and facilities in response to the growth opportunities and needs of AIC clients, and the sustainability requirements of the AIC 
ii.    Generate resources through conventional and innovative programs and incorporates revenue generation mechanisms that support the objectives of the AIC 

General Management 
i.    Manage the business of the AIC to meet financial and growth objectives 
ii.    Oversee the financial management of the AIC 
iii.    Implement policies and procedures as approved by the PASS Board under the supervision of the PASS Managing Director 
iv.    Oversee the financial management of the AIC 
v.    Implement policies and procedure as approved by the PASS Board under the supervision of the PASS Managing Director 
vi.    Manage continuous improvement and change with the AIC 
vii.    Manage the operations of the AIC and the administrative set up including human resource 
viii.    Manage the provision of support services and facilities to entrepreneurs within AIC 
ix.    Prepare and present reposts and other documentation to the PASS Management, Board and AIC Steering Committee as requested from time to time 

Self-Improvement 
i.    Keep up to date with developments in enterprise development, acceleration, supply chain linkages, incubation, innovation and entrepreneurship as these relate to the objective of the AIC 
ii.    Keep up to date with local, regional economic and  market trends affecting agro-processing in Tanzania

Others 
i.    Perform other job related duties as necessary or as assigned by the PASS Managing Director 

Working conditions 
i.    The job will require working outside office hours to meet deadline and addressing operational emergencies in some cases 
ii.    The job will required on-site visits to AIC clients located within a 100 km radius of Dar es salaam and Morogoro. This may happen on a regular basis 
iii.    International and domestic travel may occur from time to time 
iv.    Ability to mult-task under tight deadlines 

Qualification and relevant experience required 
i.    Entrepreneurial experience in having successfully started and/or run a business preferably in the agribusiness sector 
ii.    Minimum working experience of 5 years, including several years in East, including several years in East Africa, and at least 5 years of middle to senior management experience (either in a small, medium or large business) preferably in an agribusiness company. A proven track record of general management must be evident in the career without excluding 
a.    Strategic management such as demonstration of substantial responsibility for strategic direction setting and implementation 
b.    Evidence of business growth resulting from managerial activities and negotiation 
c.    Human resource management (including organisation development, mentoring and coaching experience) 
d.    Financial management 
e.    Agribusiness operational management 

iii.    A business degree (BA/or MBA), from a reorganize educations institutions
iv.    Demonstrated understanding of issues relating to enterprise development. It will be an advantage to have been involved in the management of seed fund, business incubator, accelerator, or SME support organization 
v.    Proven interpersonal and leadership skills, results-oriented mindset including ability to motivate and lead teams and engender trust amongst clients, employees and partners 
vi.    A proven experience of working as part of a small team, preferably an Agribusiness team 
vii.    Evidence of networking ability. It will be an advantage to have established networks with the business community in Tanzania and East Africa at large 
viii.    Demonstrated rigorous understanding of the local context and ability to interact with key stakeholders, from both public and private sectors 
ix.    Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in written and spoken English, Ability to speak read and write in local languages (Swahili) being an advantages 
x.    Problem solving abilities and ability to use computers to simplify and modemise ways of working and communication 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 20th February 2015 

Source: Daily News 4 February 2015