Liberia: Enterprise Development Specialist

The USAID Food and Enterprise Development Program (FED) is a USAID-funded project that has been working since 2012 to improve nutrition and strengthen food security in Liberia by increasing productivity and profitability within four agricultural value-chains; the rice, cassava, vegetable and goat value-chains. The program activities are focused within four ‘priority’ counties (Grand Bassa, Bong, Nimba and Lofa) and two secondary counties (Magribi and Montserrado) and works with a range of local partners, stakeholders, and private-sector actors to develop market linkages and access to inputs and services for farmers and Micro, Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) with a particular focus on women and youth. The project is implemented across three complementary components with the following objectives:

• Component 1: Increase agricultural productivity and profitability and improve human nutrition;
• Component 2: Stimulate private enterprise growth and investment; and
• Component 3: Build local technical and managerial human resources to sustain and expand accomplishments achieved under objectives one and two.

The objective of this assignment is for the Enterprise Development Specialist to oversee the implementation of all the Component 2 activities and directly manage the Component 2 team. This includes supporting the implementation of existing activities to completion as well as supporting the design of strategic new activities that complement the integration and enhance the sustainability of already completed activities across all three components. The Enterprise Development Specialist will also coordinate with other stakeholders particularly with private-sector actors and USAID in developing/finalizing Global Development Alliances (GDAs)

Tasks:

• Manage the implementation of FED program activities programed in the annual workplan under Component 2, ensuring all targets are achieved within budget;
• Design specific implementation approaches to Component 2 activities that are required to address gaps and complement Component 1 and 3 activities, including forming budget allocation as required;
• Provide high level management support to component 2 team activity managers who are tasked with managing sub-contracted local service providers to provide project services;
• Seek opportunities to develop the financial sustainability of local BDS providers;
• Lead the identification of potential partners for Global Development Alliances (GDAs) (USAID’s flagship Public-Private Partnership funding mechanism) and support them through the GDA application process.
• Take the lead in data collection and timely reporting of progress of Component Two program implementation in coordination with the other component, M&E and communications teams;
• Conduct Coordinate Component two activities via USAID FED program staff in Monrovia and via regular (monthly) visits to the County Offices;
• Represent FED as required at official partner and GOL meetings.
• Coordinate/collaborate with key Government agencies, USAID, other donor programs and private sector entities in working towards a better business enabling environment (BEE) in agriculture in Liberia.
• Other relevant tasks as assigned by the COP

Deliverables:

1. Completion of all USAID FEDs programed component two activities for the final year (Financial Year 2016), within budget and achieving all component two indicators.
2. Delivery of bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual component 2 progress reports.
3. Ensure an accurate documented record (paper & electronic) of all component two activities is kept by component 2 staff.

Reporting: The Consultant will report to the USAID FED Chief of Party or his/her designee.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of relevant field experience in enterprise development in farm or non-farm business/marking expertise, including eight (8) years of training and capacity building experience of business teams in rural enterprises
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices for efficient agro-business internationally and in low capacity environments;
• Demonstrated relevant professional experience, in managing and leading the capacity development of international project delivery teams;
• Demonstrated experience in delivering Business Development Services (BDS) and supporting the capacity development of BDS providers.
• Significant working knowledge of agribusiness access to finance initiatives, including community based credit organizations.
• Demonstrated experience designing enterprise development programs and improving access to business development services in a sustainable fashion
• Excellent knowledge and experience in value-chain program development and cross border trade
• Experience with gender mainstreaming in agriculture development programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated advanced ICT skills
• Master’s Degree/MBA in in relevant area of study.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience in working in West Africa or locations of a similar context.
• Significant private sector management experience
• Private sector experience and/or actual hands-on entrepreneurial experience

Please use the following link to apply - http://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc06/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=DAINC&cws=1&rid=2355