Job Details

Job Description

The Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) is implementing the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II (ZATP (I) which is a follow-on to the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP). The ZATP II will be implemented for 5 years from December 2023 to December 2028. The Project is a credit facility from the World Bank which seeks to increase access to markets and finance and promote firm growth in agribusiness. The Project has three components namely: (1) Support Access to Markets and Finance; (2) Promote Trade and Agribusiness Competitiveness; and (3) Project Management.

The Ministry seeks to recruit qualified and experienced persons to fill the following positions:

JOB TITLE: PROJECT OFFICER-AGRIBUSINESS

Overall job purpose:

The Project Officer – Agribusiness will play a pivotal role in collaborating closely with Agribusiness Specialists. They will ensure efficient recruitment processes for Producer Organizations and Agribusiness firms and oversee the successful execution of their sub-projects under the guidance of the Project Manager.

Main Duties/Accountabilities:

i) Provide technical support for planning, implementing, and monitoring agribusiness activities;
ii) Facilitate market linkages among beneficiaries, including Producer Organizations, Agribusiness firms, and off-takers in funded value chains;
iii) Support linkages between producer organizations and financial institutions to improve access to financial services;
iv) Offer technical input to enhance the quality and sustainability of funded producer organizations’ business plans;
v) Identify market opportunities and build capacity among producer organizations and agribusiness firms for sustainable exploitation:
vi) Ensure integration of gender, social, and environmental considerations into agribusiness activities:
vii) Maintain an active database for producer organizations and agribusinessfirms; viii) Document best practices and lessons learned from the project;
ix) Review Technical Service Providers’ progress reports and report key issues to the agribusiness desk; and
x) Validate Technical Service Providers’ activities through Provincial Agribusiness Officer and Regional Facilitators.

Qualifications and Skills:

Education:

i) Grade 12 School Certificate with five O-Levels including English and Mathematics;
ii) Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, or related field.
Experience:
i) Minimum five (5) years’ experience in development work focusing on smallholder farmers and rural agribusiness firms;

Additional Requirements:

i) Knowledge of local and international marketing issues;
ii) Experience in nurturing public-private partnerships is an added advantage:
iii) Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills;
iv) Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis software; and
v) Valid driver’s license required.

Only suitable, experienced, skilled Candidates are encouraged to apply for these roles. Applications accompanied by a detailed Curriculum Vitae and copies of academic and professional certificates should be emailed to [email protected] and hard copies to the address below:

The Permanent Secretary, Investment and Industrialization Attention:

Director of Human Resource and Administration

Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry

New Government Complex

P.O. Box 31968

LUSAKA

The closing date for receiving applications is 25 July, 2024 at 17:00hrs.