SNV Netherlands Development Organisation seeks to fill the following position

Position Title- Horticulture Advisor
Duty Station- The Hague, the Netherlands

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation, working in Agriculture, Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, we have built a long-term, local presence in more than 30 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.

Background:
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation supports efforts to develop and implement sound agricultural, agro-industrial and value chain strategies to fight poverty, hunger and malnutrition, while boosting the competitiveness and efficiency of the agricultural and food sub-sectors in a sustainable way.
In its agriculture project implementation SNV adopts a facilitative value chain approach, where smallholder farmers are linked to markets, finance, inputs, equipment, and information through larger commercial farmers and traders who have the capacity and incentive to invest in smallholder production. These linkages build the capacity of smallholder farmers to increase the efficiency of their farm businesses with improved production and post-harvest handling practices.

Position:
We are currently seeking a Value Chain Advisor for our horticulture programs in SNV. The role of the Value Chain advisor is to (1) provide technical back stopping to selected SNV horticulture projects as per project contracts (2) support to strengthen SNV’s global position in horticulture (3) support to develop new business for SNV (4) contribute to develop innovative solutions and coordinate learning and (5) maintain and expand SNV’s relations and partnerships with key horticulture players.
This position reports to the Global Coordinator –Horticulture and works in close collaboration with the Country Sector Leaders, Project Managers, Marketing and Business Development team and the Global Agriculture Sector team.

Responsibilities:
• Support SNV’s horticulture projects in close collaboration with the project managers by delivering short-term technical back stopping for improvements on the implementation of ongoing horticulture value chain projects addressing use of inputs, production practices, post-harvest, processing and marketing priorities through market driven sustainable approaches;
• Work with value chain networks to identify upgrading opportunities, public-private partnerships and other opportunities that support an industrywide vision;
• Manage certain components of projects where required;
• Support design of new programmes and projects relating to agribusiness and value chain development specifically in the horticulture sector;
• Prepare, maintain and update horticulture knowledge agenda, capture lessons learned, stimulate internal and external knowledge exchange;
• Contribute to the collection and dissemination of data and information related to agribusiness, value chain, agro-industries and food systems trends, approaches and impacts, including lessons and good practices; support global learning, exchange of information through the internet and other mechanisms;
• Build, maintain and utilise networks and relationships for on-going and new opportunities with relevant stakeholders in horticulture e.g. companies, research institutions, universities, donors, etc.
• Undertake frequent travel to the projects.

General Qualifications:
• Bachelor degree in horticulture or agronomy and/ or a Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline;
• At least seven years of experience in the agriculture/horticulture sector in an international, multi country context;
• Track record in supervision, advisory work related to production, supply chain management, private sector development and technical backstopping;
• Sound experience of implementing projects;
• Focus on quality and driving for continuous improvement of deliverables in the horticulture sector;
• Proven capacity to work with teams operating at a distance;
• Excellent communication (writing and oral) skills, presentation and debating skills with experience in profiling an organisation in an international setting;
• Strong international networks within the agricultural sector, including Dutch horticulture sector;
• Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change;
• Broad interest in taking up tasks as they appear in the horticulture projects;
• Fluency in English and French, both oral and writing is required.

Contract details:
Contract Type: Dutch contract
Duty Station The Hague, the Netherlands
Contract Duration: One year, with good opportunities for extension
Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter before 28 January 2018

Are you interested in becoming a Horticulture Advisor in the Netherlands? Apply now at the top or bottom of our page.

Note: This is a job advertisement, applications will be forwarded to the employer for selection. JobnetAfrica believes all applicants should get feedback, good or bad, but are not further involved in the recruitment for this particular vacancy.

Our client is a leading producer and supplier of premium quality oils and fats for the food manufacturing industry. Since they want to expand their export market, they are looking for a Sales Manager for the West African region.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify and establish potential customers for the sales initiative of the company
- Generate the sale of company products in the region in accordance to agreed sales targets
- Planning, Implementation and evaluation of critical initiatives that delivers market share and profit growth within assigned region.
- Embody company culture and maintain high sales engagement with customers
- Develop and maintain an efficient distribution network to ensure constant availability of company’s products and services across the region to achieve or exceed agreed targets
- Ensure accurate delivery of product request at a timely manner
- Gather market data or intelligence on competitor activity.
schedules and provide customers with superior levels of service to meet the needs of the customer
- Establish and ensure that sales administration policies and procedures relating to the scope of work are properly implemented to support the company’s efforts to achieve sales targets
- Maintain and develop good relationship with customers through personal contact or meetings or via telephone
- Ensure efficient gathering of market and customer information to enhance price negotiations
- Ensure accurate records of orders and sales figures
- Identify and inform management on trade trends within the vegetable oil industry
- Design and lead major initiatives within assigned region with the aim of gaining advantage over the competition.

Other Duties
Performs any other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time.

Departmental Relations
Maintain contacts with all departments especially finance team on matters concerning payment from customers.

Responsibility for Company Asset
Has responsibility to ensure all assets of the company are maintained properly.

COMPETENCIES
1. Educational Qualification
• BSc Marketing or Administration

2. Previous Experience
• A minimum of 5 years’ sales experience with oil and fat industry (must have)
• Sales experience within the West African Region

3. Technical Skills
• Ability to identify potential markets
• Good negotiation skills
• Strong presentation skills
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills
• Working experience in the West Africa Region
• Fluency in French ( huge preference)

4. Personality
• High level integrity
• Self-driven result oriented
• Can do attitude and persistent
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Time Management : Uses time effectively and efficiently
• Nationals from Ghana or West African countries are highly preferred for this position

Notre client est un des acteurs majeurs de la nutrition animale. Au Maroc, nous recrutons un Responsable pays d’établir une présence locale sur ce marché.
Le Responsable pays est en charge du développement des ventes, de l’analyse de son marché et du support technique des clients de l'enterprise.

Profil recherché:
• Expérience confirmée sur le marché de la nutrition animale au Maroc
• Suivi & développement du portefeuille client existant
• Prospection débouchant sur des opportunités concrètes
• Force de proposition sur le développement commercial dont le budget, l’innovation et l’organisation.
• Respectueux du client & des bonnes pratiques de l'enterprise
• Esprit d’équipe
• Personne dynamique, motivée et créative
• Attirée par des projets de développement au sein d’un grand groupe
• Doté de forces opérationnelles reconnues & d’un bon sens stratégique
• Ouvert au déplacements, activité possible en dehors du Maroc.
• Poste évolutif
• Bon niveau d’anglais souhaité

Responsabilités :
• Responsable des ventes et résultats commerciaux du Maroc en accord avec les objectifs
• Animation & support des ventes (séminaires, visites élevage, marketing, communication) en coopération avec les équipes
• Développement & mise en place d’un business plan
• Management des comptes clients.
• Compte rendu régulier sur le marché marocain au responsable de zone & prévisions des ventes.
• Participation aux réunions commerciales et techniques locales et internationales.
• Gestion des affaires règlementaires dont les enregistrements des produits
• Développement pour les grands comptes de plans d’actions commerciales

Position: Regional Agronomist West Africa
Country/Regional Name: Ivory Coast and Ghana, based in Ivory Coast.
Reporting to: Regional Director, West Africa Chemical and Commodities
Grade: 2

Our client, in sustainable supply chain, is seeking a techno-commercial agronomist with a strategic approach and entrepreneurial mindset to build up the agronomy department across West Africa. This role will correspond with the various business heads such as Crop Doctor.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Regional Agronomist will be an individual with practical agronomy experience of either agronomically manage plantations for tree crops or have dealt with small holder farmers on the agronomy side. He/ She will have to demonstrate techno-commercial knowledge to be able not just improve agronomic interventions in our business but also provide commercial support to such interventions.

The Regional Agronomist role is a cross- business and functional role and is responsible for a wide variety of interventions:
- Support and develop technical content to be used in products and services distribution to farmers;
- Technical lead for Farm management services business that is being developed in West Africa region;
- Create and manage demo plot to demonstrate impact of Crop Doctor Products from the Ecom stable. Also create and manage demo plots for other businesses;
- Create a top quality agronomy team that provides best in class support to Ecom businesses in WAF and ensure it alignment with the company’s business strategy;
- Partner with SMS Advisory Services, SMS Farm management Services and Crop Doctor business
- Introducing current innovations in Agriculture worldwide into our businesses in WAF;
- Effectively report on new experiments and findings to build a consistent knowledge base across the WAF region;
- Build and own relationships with external agronomy research institutions;
- Build and develop relations with large plantation owners and with other Ecom group businesses to create a shared knowledge bank.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
 Post graduate in agriculture or Agronomy
 Minimum of 10 years’ experience in practical Techno- Commercial Agronomy.
 Knowledge of the rural sector, farming communities, agribusiness products, plantation management
 Excellent technical agronomic skills
 Ability to interpret strategy into implementation
 Good commercial knowledge
 Excellent communication and listening skills; good interpersonal relationship skills
 Excellent research and analytical skills
 Innovation and strategic thinking ability
 Excellent technical agronomy skills
 Ability to work independently and within team
 Ability to travel extensively within West Africa
 Fluency in English and bi-lingual capability in French
 Strong problem solving and negotiation skills
 Ability to live in rural environments

Are you interested in becoming a Regional Agronomist in West Africa? Apply now at the top or bottom of our page.

Our client is an established international supplier of organic and Fairtrade processed food. They have developed sustainable food chains in South America and Africa and they are looking for a Head of Agronomy and Sourcing for their processing business in Burkina Faso counting over 50 permanent staff and up to 500 seasonal workers and generating a turnover of around 3 to 4 mln Euro per year, .

The Head of Agronomy and Sourcing position is part of the Management Committee headed by the Managing Director and composed of three director’s positions:
1. Agronomy and Sourcing
2. Finance and Administration
3. Processing

The purpose of the job is to become strong in sourcing raw material and semi-finished products through direct, fair and transparent relations with producers and processors.

The position has the overall responsibility of raw material or semi-finished product procurement as well as for the agronomic department managing certifications (HACCP, NOP, EU-Organic, FLO etc.) and the development of new agricultural supply chains. The company aims for a lean management of agricultural product sourcing, certification and expansion processes with the necessary commercial, management and administrative activities

Leading a team of 15 people, driving the mission & vision of the company of which direct producer relationship and fair business practices le role responsibilities include:

For procurement:
• Manage the purchasing of raw materials and semi-finished products
• Establish the relevant contracts and supply chain flows in line with the quality requirements
• Develop the relevant network to fully understanding the market prices
• Propose and establish the relevant procurement strategies
• Compile necessary information
• Achieve full transparency in procurement from producers to processing

For Agronomy:
• Manage the internal control system and several different certificates on field as well as industry level
• Develop new supply areas / products together with producers and cooperatives
• Manage, advise and support the team of field staff and agronomists
• Develop new strategies to ensure certified supply of raw material / semi-finished products
• Increase the number of certified producers and cooperatives
• Find innovative means of collaboration with producers (mobile applications etc.)
• Train producers and suppliers on good agricultural practices, certification, quality standards, hygiene, good governance
• Ensure good execution of activities aiming to increase loyalty of producers and suppliers
• Ensure full traceability of all products sourced
• Compile necessary documentation

Requirements:
• Bachelor / Master in relevant fields
• 10+ years working experience
• 5+ years’ experience of handling Agricultural or other similar commodities / Procurement
• Understanding of procurement, Agronomy and producer management
• Previous (West) Africa experience
• Candidate with a long-term aspiration to live in Burkina Faso Familiar and enjoying dealing with local farmers, cooperatives, informal businesses, authorities, , stakeholders
• French & English (written and spoken)

Offered:
• Local contract, long term position,
• Both local and international candidates are encouraged to apply
• Start date Oct 2017

Are you interested in becoming a Head of Agronomy and Sourcing in Burkina Faso? Apply now at the top or bottom of our page.

JobnetAfrica has been retained by an international investor in agribusiness and farming which has started developing and operating agriculture and food projects in Africa. A Farm Manager is required for a large scale Greenfield commercial farming operation in Senegal.

Characteristic of the project:
• Project developed by a leading pan African group
• Consists of cultivating Tuber crop for starch production
• Project Greenfield : land process almost finalized, feasibility done, conception & design study are expected to start in the next weeks
• Land development and irrigation system setup are due in Q1 2018

Responsibilities:
• Working closely with the contractors (land development and irrigation system provider) in order to achieve the design and conception plans
• Defining the agronomic strategy and planning in order to meet production targets
• Being in charge of all farming activities (planting, irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, grading, HR of farming staff, farming equipment maintenance, etc.)
• Improvement processes
• Implement and maintain SOP’s
• Quality of products
• Make sure all facilitating departments are working optimal

Requirements:
• Track record in similar project (Tubers like cassava, potatoes, taro, etc.)
• Degree in agriculture is helpful but not a must (business administration is fine)
• Logistics or project management experience needed
• Ability to build support from community
• Comfortable working in multicultural teams in a foreign environment
• Experience in managing large scale farms (1 000 Ha and more)
• Proven capacity to lead team of agricultural engineers and technicians
• Willing to live in land-locked area
• At least 10 years of work experience as a farm manager
• African working experience an advantage, not a must
• Good understanding of and experience in production planning and distribution management
• Experienced in process management and optimization
• Experience in HR management (performance evaluation, remuneration, promotions)
• Excels at networking and building strong relationships at senior levels in the government and governmental institutions
• Strong in communication, guiding his team, networking with governmental bodies and reporting to stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically, plan, implement and deliver outcomes
• Superior negotiation skills and ability to convince and make a point to his peers
• Fluent in English (written and spoken), French preferred

Package offered:
• Competitive wages
• Accommodation on site
• Transport
• International insurance
• Flights
• 30 days paid leave a year
• The location is relatively remote and not ideal for schooling
• Start date: a.s.a.p.

JobnetAfrica has been retained by an international investor in agribusiness and farming which has started developing and operating agriculture and food projects in Africa. A Land Development Manager is required for a large scale greenfield commercial farming operation in Senegal, to be developed and fully operational in the coming 5 years.

Characteristic of the project:
• Project Greenfield : land process almost finalized, feasaibility done, conception & design study are expected to start in the next weeks
• Project developed by a leading panafrican group
• First steps are land development, civil works (buildings and infrastructures) and the irrigation works
• Land development will probably take 5 years, while agronomic production will begin during 2018
• Works could be done by external companies (under consideration)
• After the 5 years, the land development and civil works team will be in charge of the land preparation, and of maintaining the irrigation network (+buildings & infrastructures)
• Land development and infrastructure works to be launched during S2 2017

Responsibilities:
• Review the project design and lead its execution
• Participate to select and work closely with the contractors in order to achieve the design and conception plans
• Lead a team including civil works and irrigation and conduct the works related to infrastructures, land development, irrigation network, etc.
• Conception and lead works for all the buildings and civil works (including the accommodation facilities)
• Lead a team in charge of infrastructures and irrigation network maintenance

Requirements:
• No need for a degree in agriculture but civil engineering/irrigation/mechanical engineering
• Logistics or project management experience needed
• Ability to build support from community
• Experience include developing irrigation systems, bulk water supply and drainage, reservoirs
• Comfortable working in multicultural teams in a foreign environment
• Additional qualifications, specifically in finance or business admin would help
• At least 8 years of work experience in a similar role
• Experience working in Africa or other developing country
• Track record in similar project (large scale farm development)
• Proven capacity to manage contractors and lead a team of engineers, operators
• Fluent in English (written and spoken), French preferred
• Willing to live in land-locked area

Rewards:
• Competitive wages
• Accommodation on site
• Transport
• International insurance
• Flights
• 30 days paid leave a year
• The location is relatively remote and not ideal for schooling
• Start date: asap

Our client is a cassava processor with operations in Mozambique and active projects leading to an expansion into West Africa in the near future. Its mission is to become a Pan-African cassava processor that strengthens and transforms African agricultural through ethical and sustainable sourcing. Their key differentiator is the approach and a unique mobile processing technology that enables a significant direct impact on small holding farmers and their families whilst guaranteeing highest quality products.

The Financial Director will work directly with the Managing Director to identify, evaluate and setup new operations across sub-Saharan Africa and to manage existing and new operations. The position will involve three primary functions:
(1) support the Managing Director on investment planning (for new operational sites and countries or expansion projects);
(2) consolidate the financials of various companies (company per country operating in plus main holding company);
(3) support financial and operational staff within each country.

The vacancy is open strictly to French speaking candidates, willing to be based/located in South Africa (Pretoria) for the first year and after this based in West Africa (Ivory Coast or Nigeria)

Requirements:
▪ Must be a Chartered Accountant (CA)SA
▪ Master degree in accounting or business administration will be an advantage
▪ Relevant degree/tertiary education
▪ Minimum 10 years’ financial management and/or business experience
▪ Knowledge of the African continent ▪ Proven record as CFO for major company or division of a medium to large corporation
▪ Good communication skills
▪ Planning and organizing skills
▪ Ability to analyse and interpret information

Are you interested in becoming a Financial Director? Apply now at the top or bottom of our page.