Specializing in Recruitment, Human Resource Services for the International Development Sector

WE are accepting applications for the following position on behalf of Roots of Peace,  and have no more than 7 days to find the ideal applicant.

Title:  Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) Business Development

Location:  Kabul, Afghanistan

Contract Period: January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022; The Project is funded, pending USAID Key Positions approval.

 Reports to: Chief of Party

PROJECT SUMMARY:  The Agriculture Marketing Program (AMP) is a national program focused on the development of the horticulture sector.  This program follows the development of the CHAMP Program from 2010 through 2019.  AMP is a nationwide program heavily focused on exports and value add processing.  The goal of the program is to expand agricultural exports by $500M in the next three years, support the development of new value-added products and develop new markets for Afghan agricultural products. The expanded exports will create additional demand for agricultural products that will drive job growth in rural areas.

In the event of a political settlement for peace, AMP will scale our efforts up in the newly accessible areas.   These activities would be focused on increased and improved horticultural production and market connections.

Roots of Peace is in the award stage of AMP.  AMP will establish market linkages connecting rural farmers with markets and facilitate trading relationships with Afghan traders or exporters being supported by other USAID mechanisms, as well as other traders and exporters identified by AMP itself. The Agriculture Marketing Program will maintain USAID's existing trade offices in India, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates, and possibly increase their locations.

OBJECTIVES:

  • Increase the number of Afghan agriculture products with value addition above bulk exports.
  • Increase the average value ($ per kg) of Afghan exports.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management

  • Assume overall management of the business development component of the program:
  • Develop a plan for the development and export of new value-added agricultural products. Plan shall include:
    • Target product types
    • Target markets
    • Business development plans
    • Grant Program
    • Food safety planning and certifications
    • Business Development
    • Organize and conduct training on business management necessary for establishing the value-added products
    • Mentor selected businesses to aid in their export development
  • Grant Program
    • Work with processing and Value-Add Specialist to introduce new agricultural technologies for processing and value addition for the Afghan produce to the program clients.
    • Utilize matching grants to accelerate the development of new value-added products
  • Export Marketing
    • Work with the Export Facilitation Director to support export efforts of target value add products at trade shows, on trade missions and targeted channel marketing
    • Work with the Marketing Team to help the Afghan merchants establish business relations with the overseas buyers
    • Determine the market needs for food safety procedures and certifications
  • Production Coordination
    • Work with post-harvest specialist and advise him/her on post-harvest management and training.
    • Develop appropriate post-harvest techniques at commodity level (fruits & vegetable) to extend shelf life, increase quality levels, and reduce losses during harvest, packaging, transport, and storage.

Direct Reports: Sr. Business Development Specialist, Sr. Post Harvest Specialist, Processing and Value Add Specialist

Program Coordination

  • Coordinate with Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and other USG Programs
  • Maintain close collaboration with other USG programs for export marketing.
  • Assist the COP with all communications with ROP/Donor, Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA), Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Economy, Department of NGOs, Community Development Councils (CDCs), and the Private Sector; and with the International Partners: United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Organization for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) ensuring relations that all reports and requests for information are delivered on time. Ensure that cordial and productive working are maintained with ROP/Donor and the GIRoA, provide periodic updates, and address any concerns/issues.
  • When possible lead ROP/Donor and/or GIRoA officials to visit program implementation sites to see new products.
  • Keep the program briefed and updated on the progress and challenges of the program.
  • Work proactively and directly with program COP and when needed, with the GIRoA on any issues impacting the program by presenting challenges and recommending solutions.

Administration of Program:

  • Continuously assess program implementation and suggest adjustments when necessary to keep the program on track and/or enhance implementation.
  • Assist the program COP in ensuring program deliverables are met on a timely basis.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Must have, at minimum, Bachelor’s Degree in a business or economics or related degree. A Master’s Degree in business is preferred.
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience working in International Development sector
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience with business/SME/private sector development, mainly supporting SME growth and investment, and providing individual enterprise assistance and mentoring.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience working with horticultural, agribusiness enterprises, post-harvest, processing/value add, and facilitating economic growth.
  • Previous experience with USAID regulations and reporting on at least two programs, for a minimum of two years combined.
  • Development work experience in multiple countries, including in a high conflict country.
  • Fluent in English speaking and writing.

Criteria for Selection

  • Formal education level, BA, BS, MBA…
  • Amount of experience with business/SME/private sector development
  • Amount of experience with value added processing, both in development environment and working in private sector
  • Amount of experience with horticultural products
  • Marketing experience with food products
  • Management experience

 

Location:  Throughout the assignment the DCOP Business Development will reside in Kabul.

How to Apply:  Please send CV/resume that clearly show you meet all qualifications requirements, with “Deputy Chief of Party - Afghanistan” in the subject line to Linda.Aines@internationalink.net.  A list of 3 or more references included in this application package will be helpful.

Deadline for Application:  October 02, 2019, or until filled.

About Roots of Peace

Roots of Peace is a humanitarian organization that has worked in war-torn countries around the world with our partners to remove the remnants of war, landmines and unexploded ordinance, and restore the land in order to rebuild peaceful communities for generations to come. For the past twenty years, the Roots of Peace award-winning “Mines to Vines” approach has impacted one million farmers and families, enabling the exports worth over $150 million to international markets. Since beginning our work in Afghanistan in 2003, Roots of Peace has worked with agricultural value chains in every province of the country resulting in 100,000 tons of exports, creating over 9,000 full-time agribusiness jobs that benefited more than 38,000 families from these value chain approaches. From farmers to exporters, Roots of Peace develops entire agricultural value chains by implementing the ROP Development Model which is designed to serve as a catalyst to generate much broader impact industry-wide - improving incomes for smallholder farmers, bringing peace to rural communities, transforming national industries.