Market & Finance Advisor – BWC at TechnoServe Nigeria

TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs, and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Market & Finance Advisor – BWC

Requisition Number: MARKE01342
Location: Kano
Job Category: Operations

Description

We’re looking for a Market and Finance Advisor (Kano, Nigeria)

About the Project

TechnoServe Nigeria, in partnership with Exxon Mobil plans to Increase the Economic Opportunity of 1000 Women rice farmers and processors in Kano and Jigawa by increasing their incomes through training, access to quality inputs, access to suitable and affordable land, access to financial services, and linkage to market through aggregation.

Primary Purpose

The Markets and Finance Advisor under the leadership of the Project Coordinator is expected to strengthen and drive the sustainability of women farmer groups through technical support provided in the form of business empowerment (including route to market and access to finance) and capacity building.
The ultimate goal of the Market and Finance Advisor is to create stronger, self-reliant farmer groups that are more professional businesswomen, able to access medium and long-term affordable financial services and products.

Duties & Responsibilities

Periodically carry out an assessment of all farmer groups already established on the project to identify cooperatives’ key capacities on operations, governance structure, key areas for improvement, etc.
Provide guidance to the Business Advisors and Local Farmer Trainers in facilitating group formation amongst women farmers in project locations
Develop practical and targeted training curriculum that helps in strengthening farmer groups based on assessment conducted
Identify and link farmer groups to affordable and sustainable financial assistance that support the groups’ business activities
Identify and link (using a sustainable approach) farmer groups to markets (old and new) that protect the economic interest of the groups
Provide guidance to Business Advisors and Local Farmer Trainers in structuring viable and sustainable groups saving culture, using the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) or the Savings and Internal Lending Committees (SILC) model
Ensure that agribusiness records of farmer groups are well maintained and that up-to-date data and information on groups are provided on a regular basis
Support the Project Coordinator in designing and executing the planned project interventions
Identify and perform a thorough assessment of emanating, existing, and envisaged challenges and proffer solutions
Assist in implementing plans to help resolve any occasional discrepancy and irregularity
Adherence strictly to the timeframe of assignments in the project life
Any other tasks that may be assigned.

Required Skills & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Business Management and other relevant fields;
Fluency in Hausa and English
At least 4 years’ experience in capacities relating to either Agribusiness, Education, Marketing, Business development or Advisory services
Practical experience facilitating VSLAs or SILCs
At least 2 years’ prior experience with development organizations
Demonstrable group management skills
Prior experience supporting community-based/ farmer-groups
Prior experience working on gender-focused projects is a plus
Ability to work as an effective member of a large team
Ability to provide leadership and guidance to others
Ability to actively engage with stakeholders, particularly community leaders, farmer groups and private sector actors
Ability to develop well written, cohesive analyses and reports
Ability to take initiative and work with limited supervision
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
Experience with relevant software packages, including Microsoft Excel.