The Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) is implementing the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II (ZATP II) which is a follow-on to the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP). The ZATP II is being implemented for 5 years from December 2023 to December 2028. The Project is a credit facility from the World Bank which seeks to increase access to markets and finance and promote firm growth in agribusiness. The Project has three components namely: (1) Support Access to Markets and Finance; (2) Promote Trade and Agribusiness Competitiveness; and (3) Project Management. The Ministry seeks to recruit a qualified and experienced person to fill the following positions:

JOB DESCRIPTION: AGRIBUSINESS SPECIALIST (FIRMS) (01) – LUSAKA

JOB TITLE: Agribusiness Specialist – Firms

GRADE: PIU 03

INSTITUTION: Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project II

SECTION: Project Operations

UNIT: Market Connect and Credit Facility

A. JOB PURPOSE:

The Agribusiness Specialist (Firms) will undertake the delivery of business development services and administration of the line of credit facility in order to upskill small scale agribusiness firms and enhance their access to finance.

B. MAIN DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent of the post will perform the following duties:

• Undertake effectively the implementation of training and capacity building programmes in order to enhance operational efficiencies and firm growth;
• Undertake effectively the development, implementation and review of market access programmes in order to improve access to domestic and regional markets for targeted beneficiaries;
• Undertake effectively the provision of technical support for product certification for eligible Agribusinesses and Producer Organisations in order to enhance marketability of commodities/products and reduce post-harvest losses in food systems;
• Undertake effectively the provision of business incubation and acceleration support programmes to early-stage firms in order to enable them leverage digital technologies and enhance productivity and profitability;
• Undertake effectively the identification and mentoring of agribusinesses and Producer Organisations in order to facilitate peer-to-peer learning in business management, product development and marketing;
• Undertake effectively the creation of linkages between agribusiness firms and financial institutions to increase access to financial services; and,
• Undertake effectively the delivery of financial product development interventions for PFI’s in order to ensure the products developed meet agribusiness sector requirements.

C. MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Full Form V/Grade 12 School Certificate with five credits or better including English and Mathematics;
• Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness or its equivalent; and
• Master’s degree in Agribusiness or its equivalent would be an added advantage.

D. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Relevant Pre-Job Experience of Eight (8) years in Agribusiness with focus on small holder farmers and agribusiness firms.

E. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Specialized knowledge in any of the following areas:

• Training and Capacity Building Programmes;
• Market Access Programmes;
• Business Incubation and acceleration support programmes to early stage firms;
• Knowledge of product certification;
• Financial Linkages;
• Financial Production Development Interventions;
• Write analytical and technical reports;
• Communicate effectively in English;
• Knowledge of international best practices and guidelines;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; and
• Valid driver’s license

F. OTHER SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES:

• Initiative;
• Confidentiality;
• Integrity;
• Analytical; and
• Interpersonal

• Undertake effectively the implementation of training and capacity building programmes in order to enhance operational efficiencies and firm growth;
• Undertake effectively the development, implementation and review of market access programmes in order to improve access to domestic and regional markets for targeted beneficiaries;
• Undertake effectively the provision of technical support for product certification for eligible Agribusinesses and Producer Organisations in order to enhance marketability of commodities/products and reduce post-harvest losses in food systems;
• Undertake effectively the provision of business incubation and acceleration support programmes to early-stage firms in order to enable them leverage digital technologies and enhance productivity and profitability;
• Undertake effectively the identification and mentoring of agribusinesses and Producer Organisations in order to facilitate peer-to-peer learning in business management, product development and marketing;
• Undertake effectively the creation of linkages between agribusiness firms and financial institutions to increase access to financial services; and,
• Undertake effectively the delivery of financial product development interventions for PFI’s in order to ensure the products developed meet agribusiness sector requirements.

• Training and Capacity Building Programmes;
• Market Access Programmes;
• Business Incubation and acceleration support programmes to early stage firms;
• Knowledge of product certification;
• Financial Linkages;
• Financial Production Development Interventions;
• Write analytical and technical reports;
• Communicate effectively in English;
• Knowledge of international best practices and guidelines;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; and
• Valid driver’s license

• Full Form V/Grade 12 School Certificate with five credits or better including English and Mathematics;
• Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness or its equivalent; and
• Master’s degree in Agribusiness or its equivalent would be an added advantage.