Job Description

Posted on February 11, 2022

Job Opportunities – iDE Zambia
Project name; PHL Venture – Last-mile Business Model Innovation Pilot
PHL Venture Project is a pre-existing portfolio project of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, launched to implement innovative business models to make post-harvest loss (PHL) technologies affordable and accessible for farmers in developing countries, while ensuring commercial viability for supply chain actors.
In collaboration with public- and private- sector partners, and governments, the project intends to enable conducive ecosystems that minimize food losses and eventually foster economic recovery for smallholder farmers.
iDE Zambia has received 1 Year funding from Bayer to pilot innovative last mile business models to make post-harvest loss (PHL) technologies affordable and accessible for farmers at the last mile. Proven models will be scaled and local knowledge networks will be created, building on partnerships with the private sector, governments, NGOs, and other agencies of the United Nations.
Key activities and output under this Project shall include,

Collaborating with design consultants contracted by WFP in the ideation and subsequent testing / piloting of innovative business models in the targeted rural markets.
Design appropriate marketing/sales strategies as part of the business model testing informed by the ‘STP’ (segmentation, targeting, positioning) strategic marketing approach to deliver competitive value proposition to customers.
Identify and engage lead-private sector suppliers of targeted PHL technologies in market performance driven partnerships.
Forging and leveraging SMART collaborations with complementary projects within iDE Zambia and with government line ministries.
Leveraging the farm business advisor (FBA) network to promote a competitive supplier engaged rural marketing and supply chain (distribution network) for PHL technologies
Adaptive Management, data gathering and management (through digital technologies), learning and advocacy.

iDE Zambia is now looking for suitable candidates to fill the following vacant positions on the project
1. Project Manager x1
2. Market and Business Development Coordinators x 2
3. Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer x 1

1. Project Manager x 1
Location: Kabwe
Team leader and lead strategist on the pilot in applying iDE infinite tactics on Agtech R&D Supply chain development, Farm Business Advisor Network Creation, Post-Harvest Management & Processing Development and Insight-Driven Solutions for Impact.
Key Responsibilities
R1: Design and Pilot planning
Collaborate with design consultants contracted by WFP in the ideation process to develop prototype PHL innovative business model(s)
Lead in the development of appropriate last mile marketing/ sales strategies informed by the ‘STP’ marketing framework and infinite tactics
Lead the team in developing and testing rural marketing communication strategies for effectively carrying targeted market segments through the AIDA (awareness interest desire action) customer journey
Identify and engage key value chain actors and performance stakeholders (such as suppliers /manufactures of PHL technologies, Ministry of Agriculture, not-for-profit organisation – including complementary projects within iDE Zambia), in reviewing the prototypes for feedback and for buy-in into the pilot / market development process.
Engage identified key value chain market actors to broker critical SMART market performance driven partnerships with agreed roles, responsibilities and deliverables.
Establish SMART collaborations (agreed roles, responsibilities and deliverables /results) with complementary projects within iDE Zambia such as the Nutrition projects, and the agricultural markets projects to leverage activities and resources for augmented results
Develop detailed implementation plan for the pilot, coordinate and drive performance across internal and external partners.
Contribute to training needs assessment and capacity development planning for actors and partners as may be critical for the success of the developed models.
R2: Pilot Implementation and Process Management
Develop  on a micro-basis, key project management and implementation tools such as quarterly work plans and budgets and manage the performance and resource use by the project team
Ensure staff, key actors and partners understand the business models to be piloted and agree with them roles and responsibilities consistent with developed protocols
Provide coordination, operational leadership and tactical guidance to staff and partners for the effective and efficient implementation of planned project activities
Conduct and participate in the delivery of planned training / capacity building initiative to staff, partners and last mile sale agents as may be critical to the success and sustainability of the business model
Collaborate internally with Finance and Admin in managing and tracking financial spend against the approved budget as well as in providing defined administrative and HR functional support services.
Forge wider relationships for creating an enabling and supportive environment for the pilot, supporting advocacy and building iDE Zambia’s reputation and brand
R3:  Strategy review, Quality Assurance, Results Measurement and reporting
Ensure strategies employed in the Pilot implementation are appropriate for the Zambia context and are consistent with the iDE’s Infinite model tactics and MSD approaches.
Closely collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit to develop and deploy the Project Implementation Success Pack.
In collaboration with MEAL, monitor, measure, document performance at partner level and a scheduled share project successes, lessons, challenges and strategic revisions.
Any other duties as assigned that may be deemed critical to the delivery of project goals and overall realisation of iDE Zambia country program objectives.
EDUCATION

Minimum of a university degree or professional equivalent in either Marketing, Business Administration or Entrepreneurship preferably with good understanding of Market development
Formal training in the Market System Development approach and project management is preferable

EXPERENCE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED

Good understanding of the smallholder agriculture market with at least 5 years’ working experience in marketing and or developing small businesses, 3 of which should been with the private sector at the management level.
Should have held a management position for 3 years.
Knowledge of strategy design and testing, forging of private public partnerships and experience
People management skills: coaching and mentoring skills, team goal structuring, and performance management skills
Excellent reporting, presentation and negotiation skills
Ability to work independently and meet strict deadlines as well as collaboratively with a team
Class B driving licence – manual vehicles

2. Market and Business Development Coordinators x 2
Location: Central province – Kapiri and Chisamba
Key Responsibilities
R1: Support to Market Development
i. Develop strategic understanding of last mile markets to inform targeting, positioning and effective support delivery of PHL value proposition under the pilot
ii. Contribute to developing and testing rural marketing communication strategies and provide mentorship to scale agents in effectively carrying targeted market segments through the AIDA customer journey
iii. Collaborate with field officers from iDE sister projects in implementing field level PHL interventions, jointly developing and delivering activity plans to achieve targeted SMART objectives
iv. Collaborate with field-based officers in iDE Zambia sister projects to discover ‘how we may’ sustainably accelerate and deepen inclusive uptake of PHL technologies leveraging complementary interventions and platforms such as VSLA, access to finance, access to improved markets
v. Training/Coaching (ToT) to staff and partners on selection, use and application of marketing communication tools and platforms for effective last mile demand development
vi. Working proactively through and with relevant government departments and agencies ensuring project PHL activities are visible and recognised under the district development agenda.
R2 Support to supply chain development and enterprise growth
i. Working with market actors, partners and FO from sister projects, lead in developing a sales and distribution plan and strategy for the target districts to inform supply chain development activities.
ii. Working through market actors, partners and FO from sister projects, identify and on-board FBAs and district-based stockist / distributors (existing/potential), as informed by the pilot selection criteria
iii. Engage, support and mentor identified last mile supply chain actors and partners in understanding and delivering recommended performance under the pilot i.e. roles, responsibilities/investment and results (including return on investment).
iv. Facilitate or deliver entrepreneurship capacity building support (skills training and business competencies) for supply chain actors to improve overall competitiveness and resilience of the last mile supply chain
R3: Quality Assurance, Results Measurement, Strategy review and reporting
i. Develop monthly operational plans and budgets consistent with the delivery of set milestones
ii. Support towards monitoring, measurement and documenting of enterprise level and partner performance.
iii. In collaboration with MEAL lead monitoring, measuring and documenting performance at FBA level and of impact at primary beneficiary level
iv. Production of internal monthly operational reports and contributing to overall project reporting
Education

A university degree or professional equivalent in Marketing, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship development
Formal training in Market System Development approach is preferable

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED

At least 3 years’ relevant private sector working experience in marketing or in promoting entrepreneurship particularly in the smallholder agriculture sector.
Knowledge of the dynamics involved in developing last mile markets.
Coaching and mentoring skills,
Excellent reporting and presentation skills
Ability to work independently and meet strict deadlines as well as collaboratively with a team
Riders licence a must

3. Monitoring Evaluation and Learning OFFICER
Location: – Central -Kabwe
Key Responsibilities:
The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of the PHL Project. He/she will develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the Project. He/she will also provide technical assistance to the implementing projects, particularly in relation to monitoring, reporting and use of Monitoring feedback.
Specific Duties:
R1 M&E system set up and planning:
Participate in the review of the project results frame including performance indicators
Participate in the development and/or finalization of the project Work Plan and keep it updated in accordance with project activities and timeframes.
Develop the overall framework, for PHL project M&E, including mid-term project review, impact assessment, final evaluation,
Develop Performance Monitoring Plan with relevant data collection systems.
Review existing data in the PHL project areas, the methods of data collection, and appropriate baseline statistics for impact evaluation.
Document baseline data for PHL as well as project indicators.
With M&E Unit and collaborating projects and partners, review existing approaches and management information systems and agree on any required changes, support and resources.
Develop a plan for project-related capacity building on M&E including any support for digitization required.
Organize and undertake training with collaborating project staff and partners on M&E as required.
R2. Implementation of M&E and Coordination:
Collect data on a regular basis to measure achievement against the performance indicators.
Conduct data quality checks.
Maintain and manage the PHL database; analyse and aggregate findings.
Participate in project progress reporting, Bi-annual review and final evaluation.
Identify areas where technical support to project partners is required and conduct training on M&E for field teams and data collectors  as required.
Identify lessons learned and develop case studies to capture qualitative outputs of the PHL project.
R3 Communication:
Prepare reports on M&E findings and presentations based on M&E data
Provide the Project Manager with management information she/he may require.
Ensure that monitoring data are discussed in appropriate forum and in a timely fashion in terms of implications for action as and when necessary, including organizing such discussions as necessary.
Education:
i. First university degree in agriculture, Agriculture economics, statistics, demographics, or related field.
ii. Added advanced certificate in M&E preferred.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED
i. Minimum of three  (3) years of professional experience in a position responsible for project management or implementing M&E activities of smallholder agriculture..
ii. Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
iii. Experience in designing and managing beneficiary monitoring and database systems.
iv. Experience in planning and performance measurement, including indicator tracking, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
v. Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
vi. Experience in planning and managing surveys.
vii. Experience in developing and refining electronic data collection tools.
viii. Experience with data quality assessments and supervision.
ix. Ability to facilitate and serve as project liaison for externally-managed evaluations.
x. Languages: Excellent written and spoken command of English. Knowledge of Local language in PHL project areas preferred.
Mode of application.
i. Application should be in e-mail with the CV as the only attachment.
ii. Clearly reference the project and position you are applying for.
iii. Only applicants with the necessary experience and qualifications should respond to this advert.
iv. Female candidates are encouraged to apply
v. Applications should be mailed to [email protected] by 18th February 2022.

To apply for this job email your details to Zambiarecruitment@ideglobal.org