Date Posted:
2020-07-14 02:00:00
Employment Type
Full Time
Website
Location:
Lusaka
Salary:
Negotiable
Phone:
Description:
Job Purpose
The Agricultural Programme Policy Officer will serve as a technical advisor on regional/local agriculture policy and regulatory reforms and will keep abreast of and analyse economic, political and other trends affecting trade policy development in relation to Agriculture. Lead and coordinate beneficiary registration exercise ensuring most vulnerable communities are targeted.
Summary of Key Responsibilities;
- Initiate and coordinate dialogues/engagements between national governments and private sector companies that create/appraise reforms and articulate optimal solutions needed to improve policy and regulatory predictability to unlock regional food trade and investment.
- Lead the design and implementation of the emergency input package to smallholder farmers, identifying and working with select Agro-dealers and identified beneficiaries.
- Take part me in the development and review of policy pieces and collateral for engagements with crucial stakeholders as part of the Regional Food Trade Unit’s influencing strategy.
- Build and manage partnerships with input suppliers, agro-dealers and industry stakeholders to enhance timely access to appropriate inputs.
- Lead the provision and management of policy sub-grants to national, regional and international technical assistance providers to deliver the regional food trade and resilience initiative.
- Provide guidance to NGO partners to ensure timely procurement and distribution of input packs to targeted farmers.
- Lead the development of a common framework and a coalition of partners with which to engage government and agree on shared priorities for policy predictability
- Provide technical oversight to the implementing partners through relevant farmer groups to adopt the production of drought tolerant value chains.
- Work closely with the Analytics Team to conduct robust analytics of optimal cost and benefits of policy pathways that suit contextual realities of food trade and regional markets.
- Support capacity enhancement of Agro-Dealers in establishing a private sector led distribution network for Post-Harvest Handling Storage Equipment.
- Prepare the annual work plan, as well as quarterly plans; provide regular internal programme and external updates following set guidelines on a monthly basis and as and when required.
- Take the lead in studies that will provide the evidence necessary to initiate dialogues with key decision makers on policy options that enhance Local and Regional trade
Required Skills and Competencies
- Strong Leadership Skills
- Strategic Planning Skills
- Result Driven
- Excellent Listening Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- Focused
- Attention to Detail
- Good Analytical Skills
Primary Areas of Accountability:
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree in Agriculture/ Agriculture Economics, Agribusiness or any qualification related to Agric
- A Masters in any of the above fields will be a plus
- Must have a minimum of 10+ years working experience managing Agriculture related programs / initiatives working either in the NGO or private sector or an International Organization.
- Proven Experience in engaging and managing relations with external relevant stakeholders such as Government, UN Agencies, I-NGOs and private sector.
- Strong understanding of Local Agricultural policies with regards to food market and trade;
- Must have strong relationships with the Ministry of Agriculture and other Agric. International or Regional Institutions
- Demonstrable ability to work in complex work dynamic and challenging Projects
- Experience in Disaster Response to prolonged dry spells, droughts, flooding and pests WILL BE AN ADDED ADVANTAGE
- Ability to deliver high quality projects under pressure;
- Familiarity to most Local Agricultural Practices with a bias towards Food Preservation will be a plus
- Should be proficiency in at least 2-3 Zambian Local Languages (Major Local Languages)
If you meet the minimum hiring requirements for the above position, please email your CV and Cover letter clearly stating your salary expectations to : jobs@bemconsult.com and copy in bemconsult@outlook.com
Note that, all communications will be kept in the strictest of confidence. If you do not receive communication within 14 days of the closing date of the advert, please consider your application unsuccessful.
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