Seed Business Development Specialist

Recruiting Seed Business Development Specialist

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT www.ciat.cgiar.org) - a member of the CGIAR
Consortium (www.cgiar.org)- develops technologies, innovative metho s, and new knowledge that better enable farmers, especially smallholders, to make agriculture competitive and profitable as well as sustainable and resilient.
Among various research areas, CIAT has a global mandate for beans and in Africa, bean research is carried out by the Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (P ABRA) which encompasses 3 regional bean research networks which are working to improve the livelihoods of small scale bean farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. P ABRA facilitates collaborative research for development within and between the networks by providing a forum for collaboration of multiple partners who include: researchers, private sector involved in bean seed and grain business, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based (CB) and producers' organizations (POs), universities and millions of farmers. The alliance operates in 30 member countries, each represented by its
National Agricultural Research System (NARS). PABRA is facilitated by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
Among various bean research areas, P ABRA facilitates access to quality seed of improved varieties by millions farmers across Africa through the various bean seed production and delivery options based on prevailing seed systems and targeted clients. For this purpose, PABRA is recruiting a Seed Business Development Specialist.
The position will be based at CIAT offices in Selian Agricultural Research Institute, Arusha Tanzania.


Main responsibility
To enhance the capacities of seed and input suppliers to provide quality seed of improved bean varieties and complementary inputs/technologies to small-scale farmers in northern Tanzania on a sustainable basis.
Duties and responsibilities:
Overall objective: the Seed Business Development Specialist (SBDS), in consultation with project team and other
CIAT staff, S/he provides leadership and guidance to the project.

Specific objectives:
In partnership with NARS and national seed services and partners development (NGOs, farmers organizations, district extension, the SBDS will support the seed producers/traders to produce and market quality seed of improved bean varieties in northern Tanzania through the agro-dealer network using affordable packs sizes targeting small holders particularly poor farmers and women.

In partnership with seed producers/traders and NARS, the SBDS will carry out R4D for testing innovative market strategies such as the use of affordable packs, assess their commercial viability including cost -benefit analysis and explore how the mainstream most viable pack size for each partners.
Manage the seed systems project assets/resources and sustain partnership to deliver on project's expected results and their targets .
Provide advice related to business development services to bean seed producers particularly ASA and Meru Agro- consultant Ltd to enhance bean seed production and delivery in business sound manner.
In partnership with seed producers/traders to design and deploy appropriate seed marketing strategies and tools to reach small holders particularly women
Train bean seed producers/suppliers in specific areas such' as seed business management including production, post-harvest, marketing, financial management, and strategy development.
Document (reports and professional publications) on improving the efficiency and sustainability of bean seed producers and supply and share knowledge. .
Support the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to design and conduct a sound Monitoring and
Evaluation (M+E) framework to capture relevant seed data and to document case studies
Assess and explore appropriate institutional linkages in order to sustain best seed systems practices and create synergetic actions for scaling up of these best practices across Tanzania. '
Represent the project in all fora and engagement
Produce and submit relevant projects reports (technical, financial and any other document) as required by the project.

Qualification and Experience .
Strong background in seed business, agribusiness and agri-economics at MSc / MA levels.
Five (3) years practical experience in managing seed business is strongly preferred.
Previous or current work on seed related activities in Tanzania is an added advantage
Good command of written and spoken English language and Swahili.

Personal Characteristics
Ability to work both persuasively and diplomatically in a team-based environment with a high degree of complexity.
Exceptional drive and entrepreneurship, a pronounced ability to motivate others
Hands-on problem-solver with strong analytical abilities.
Organizational and business planning.
Strategic thinking & creativity.
Problem analysis and problem-solving.
Team leadership and integrity.
Interested applicants should send to the below address their motivation letter, a detailed ·C.V with the names & contact information of the three referees knowledgeable about the candidate's professional qualifications and work experience. One page essay on the main steps and their sequence. for developing the ability of seed suppliers to provide quality seed of improved bean varieties and complementary inputs to small-scale farmers-on a sustainable basis.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested applicants should send to the below address their motivation letter, a detailed ·C.V with the names & contact information of the three referees knowledgeable about the candidate's professional qualifications and work experience.

One page essay on the main steps and their sequence. for developing the ability of seed suppliers to provide quality seed of improved bean varieties and complementary inputs to small-scale farmers-on a sustainable basis.

All applications should be sent by email to Human Resource Unit, CIAT, P.O. Box 2704, Arusha, Tanzania

via APPLY NOW below Applicants should clearly mark the position they are interested in by indicating
in the subject line of the email message for ease of sorting.
All applications will be acknowledged; only short listed candidates will be contacted