The Market Access Linkage Manager will lead initiatives to connect smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to sustainable, high-value markets. The incumbent will be responsible for market intelligence, negotiating buy-sell agreements, implementing quality standards, and developing partnerships along the agricultural value chain.

• Identify and Map Markets: Identify high-potential local, regional, and international market opportunities (processors, exporters, retail chains).
• Buyer-Seller Matchmaking: Facilitate connections between farmers/farmer organizations and buyers, ensuring buyer requirements are met.
• Contract Negotiation: Facilitate negotiations and finalization of fair, transparent contracts (off-take agreements).
• Relationship Management: Maintain long-term, trust-based relationships with buyers, traders, and logistics providers.
• Value Addition & Quality Standards: Ensure farmers adhere to market-required quality standards, certifications, and packaging requirements.
• Logistics Coordination: Coordinate with transport and logistics companies to facilitate efficient product movement and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Capacity Building: Train producers/cooperatives on market requirements, aggregation, and post-harvest handling.
• Market Intelligence: Collect and analyze data on market trends, pricing, demand, and competitor analysis.
• Strategy Development: Design strategies for agricultural product commercialization, including market entry and penetration.
• Business Plan Support: Support agribusinesses in developing business plans and strengthening organizational capacity.
• Project Management: Lead the implementation of market-access projects, monitoring progress against key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Reporting: Submit monthly/quarterly reports on sales volumes, revenue, and project impact to senior management and donors.

• Strong negotiation, networking, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Fluency in English (local language proficiency is often required).

• Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Business Administration, Economics Agricultural Economics, Marketing, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 3–5+ years of experience in agricultural marketing, supply chain management, or market access projects, particularly with smallholder farmers.
• Deep understanding of agricultural value chains, quality standards, contracting, and logistics.