General

The Agro-Market Expert will report directly to the National Project Manager and will be responsible for the provision of technical assistance and advisory services in the identification of potential markets and facilitate linkage of the ARBs and their cooperatives/FOs to various outlets, buyers and institutional market to ensure viable & sustainable marketing of agricultural commodities produced in the ARCs.

The Agro-Market Expert will work jointly with agriculturist and microfinance specialist in the implementation of the AED component of IARCDSP.

Scope of Services

The specific duties include but not limited to the following:

1. Work closely with the regional and provincial AED counterpart staff including the DA-IMAP and AMAS representatives, assisting and guiding them in the formulation and implementation of marketing assistance to the beneficiaries;
2. Review the status of the ARB organizations in terms of constraint and potential to engage in profitable and sustainable enterprises with particular focus on marketing information system and business arrangements;
3. Provide technical assistance and advisory services to DAR & DA coordinators in the preparation of the Marketing Strategy Plan for the IARCDSP market commercialization and support components taking into consideration the development potentials of the program areas for further investments;
4. Provide technical assistance in conducting market study & preparing business plan for implementation of enterprises;
5. Facilitate and coordinate with the technical staff counterparts from DAR and DA in implementing activities under AED, LCBS and PM components particularly on capacity building, market commercialization and the realization of market studies;
6. Present options and facilitate collaboration between farmers organizations and financial institutions, microfinance conduits, private firms/sector, civil society based on informed consent of the FOs/cooperatives;
7. Arrange/undertake special studies across market for major commodities grown in the provinces/regions within program sites which has potential for export/foreign market;
8. Assist the Organizational and Capacity Building Specialist in conducting training on improving market access and value and supply chain analysis, business plan formulation, and management of collective marketing system;
9. Provide technical advise in formulation, review and approval of marketing contracts with an end to ensure that FOs/farmer beneficiaries are protected in terms of their rights and benefits;
10. Provide guidance to line department representatives/technical counterparts in the implementation of various marketing extension activities;
11. Provide technical guidance jointly with organization and capability building expert in the federations or cooperatives that will be engaged in contract with private firms or corporations (i.e. contract growing and other alternative venture agreement) and facilitate their linkages with the market;
12. Liase with the exporters/wholesalers/organized retailers/ contract farming entrepreneurs and facilitate linking areas and farmers groups with these institutions/bodies;
13. Disseminate the post-harvest and value addition activities to be undertaken to improve product lines suitable to larger market; and
14. Provide progress reports on the progress of the marketing assistance subcomponent of the AED.

Core Competencies

1. Experience in market assessment and trend analysis, business operations review and planning, resource mobilization, marketing strategies and system especially of rural enterprise & organizations;
2. Knowledge in SMEs training and capacity building strategies and programs in business management and marketing;
3. Knowledge and experience in individual and group mentoring and coaching of SMEs and market accessing;
4. Excellent communication skills in English and vernaculars; and
5. Knowledge of the domestic and local markets, local and foreign policies on trade and industries.

Qualifications, Skills and Professional Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in Commerce or Marketing with Masters degree or units in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics and other related fields;
2. At least five (5) years experience in planning and implementing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) preferably related to agriculture and agro-enterprise sector;
3. Knowledge and experience in information system in agricultural policy; Prior experience in leading or working with a multidisciplinary teams in a similar project/ programme; and
4. Experience in working with national agencies and private sector would be an advantage.

Engagement

The Agro-Market Expert will be engaged for one (1) month during the first year to conduct environmental appraisal of market and two (2) months annually during the 2nd and 3rd year implementation of the project.