USAID’S FEED THE FUTURE KNOWLEDGE-BASED INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN NEPAL (KISAN II) PROJECT
Terms of Reference (TOR)
POSITION TITLE: Cluster Business Manager
LOCATION: Designated Cluster within KISAN II project area
REPORTS TO: Regional Director
BACKGROUND: The USAID/Nepal-funded KISAN II project is improving food security in twenty Hill and Terai districts in the Western, Mid-Western and Far-Western regions of the country and four districts in the Central region. The purpose of the project is to increase resilience, inclusiveness, and sustainability of income growth in the Feed the Future Zone of Influence. KISAN II will help lead firms, input suppliers, and private sector change agents catalyze agricultural productivity, competitive market systems, a stronger enabling environment, and business and literacy skills for households in two Zones of Influence. The Cluster Business Manager will be responsible for implementing KISAN II’s markeat-led approach at the district and province level. This will include developing and nurturing partnerships with private sector actors in the agriculture sector and identifying opportunities and barriers for farmers to access higher value markets. The Cluster Business Manager will also be responsible for managing day-to day operations of the Cluster office, ensuring that results are achieved on time across all KISAN Outputs.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a) Manage technical and operational staff, including Area coordinators and technical managers and specialists;
(b) Manage operations in Cluster office, including oversight of day to day finances, logistics, and administration.
(c) Identify potential opportunities offered by end markets and the private sector buyers in end market(s);
(d) Design and implement interventions that leverage the interconnections between farmers and the improved inputs and services they need to be able to improve quality and produce competitive products for end markets;
(e) Develop a network of lead firms and SMEs and an implementation plan for engaging them;
(f) Oversee activities related to enhancing financial services markets and market infrastructure in selected market systems; (g) Analyze and enable relationships among actors that translate into shared benefits to incentivize new investment in market systems;
(h) Coordinate with the Partnerships and Innovation Fund Manager to provide technical oversight for grants in KISAN II working areas;
(i) Documentation and reporting of technical and financial progress as per reporting schedule and need of the project
(j) Responsible to Admin and Finance Manager and HR Officer in terms of Admin/Finance and HR related issues.
(k) Other responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor(s)
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQURIEMENTS:
Education: Masters or equivalent university degree in Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Agribusiness, or related field
Experience: The ideal candidate will have the following experience:
ï‚· At least 7 years of working experience in agricultural/agribusiness development sector
ï‚· Proven ability to foster and maintain partnerships, particularly with private sector actors
ï‚· Demonstrated experience in business strengthening and value chains (especially for rice, maize, lentil, and high-value vegetables)
ï‚· Strong communication skills, both oral and written with fluency in both English and Nepali required
Other: Should be a Nepali citizen
The eligible candidates meeting the above job criteria are requested to email their Job Application' and updated 'Curriculum Vitae' with 2 references at vacancy@ceapred.org.np on or before 7th October, 2018. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. The organization reserves the right to reject any/all applications without assigning any reason whatsoever. Canvassing at any stage of the process shall lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
Women and candidates from marginalized and disadvantaged communities are highly encouraged to apply
The Center for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED) is a non-profit, non-political, and non-government organization established in April 23, 1991. It is registered at the District Administration Office, Lalitpur and has affiliation with the Social Welfare Council of Nepal. The Center is a value - based organization committed to human centered sustainable development.