TechnoServe, Inc. (TNS)

Deadline: 25 January 2021

Project: Takura_Anglo American-Unki Mine Social Development Program

Reports To: Program Manager

Position Location & Travel Potential: Midlands (Gweru and Shurugwi)

Start Date: 01 February, 2021

Job Duration: 4 months

Contact Information: zimjobs@tns.org

General Company Information

TechnoServe, Inc. (TNS) is an international non-profit development organization founded in 1968. Its mission is to help entrepreneurial men and women in poor rural areas of the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries that create jobs, income and economic opportunity for their families, their communities and their countries.

Primary Project Purpose

The TAKURA Anglo American Social Development program is supporting smallholder farmers within the Unki Mine sphere of influence in horticulture, beef, and poultry value chains, establishing market access through contract production in partnership with private sector companies during a three-year program. A Pack house will be constructed at an identified site in Shurugwi. The Trust will own and oversee the day-to-day operations of the packing facility and take over the management of the business from TechnoServe. The establishment, formal registration and strengthening of the Trust is a priority area for the stakeholders.

Key Performance Areas

Access to Finance (A2F): Facilitate A2F negotiations for the horticulture, beef, and poultry value chains in collaboration with partners, beneficiaries, and financial institutions. Structure value chain financing deals; Liaise with private sector companies and the program team to ensure the viability of the agreements with farmers; Negotiate for an insurance product for the value chains.

Establishment and Strengthening of a Trust: Facilitate the establishment and registration of Takura Trust; Facilitate the development of a constitution; Facilitate the recruitment of members - from irrigation schemes, poultry and beef farmers; Facilitate the election and seconding of the Board of Trustees (BOT), which will take over the strategic management of the program from TechnoServe; Develop a coaching plan for the BOT - Attending negotiations with stakeholders, including international markets, Schedule board meetings and calendar, Preparation of accounts and reporting, Farmer payments and records keeping; Facilitate the opening of a Nostro and local bank account for the Trust; Facilitate movement of all cash through the Trust Account and payment of farmers from the Trust Account; Facilitate contractual agreements between the Trust and offtake markets; Facilitate contractual agreements between the Trust and the farmers; Establish an office for the board at the Packhouse.

Strengthening of irrigation schemes and Poultry and Beef Groups: Facilitate formal registration of each irrigation scheme and opening up of a scheme bank account Collaborate with identified irrigation schemes to work as a single farm unit with a constitution and management structure; Facilitate the development of a whole farm management business plan for each group and irrigation scheme - The plan will consist of a business plan, A crop rotation plan, Markets, crops, and budgets, Mechanization plan, Partnerships (Seed houses, Markets, fertilizer companies, and government institutions).

Reporting: Develop a work plan; Provide written weekly updates.

Skills Required

A relevant degree or equivalent in Finance, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Development; Demonstrated competencies and experience in carrying out similar projects; At least 5 years of professional experience in business management and/or developmental work; Technical and training experience in building skills capacity amongst entrepreneurs, agro-dealers and small-scale farmers; Demonstrated success in innovating SME growth and supplier linkages for corporate partners in the Agricultural sector; Demonstrated success in innovating agricultural finance products and facilitating linkages to improve investment and access to finance in agricultural value chains; Strong analytical capabilities and proven planning and organization skills; Excellent presentation skills.

Impact

The work will provide TAKURA clients with the necessary business insights to scale their agri-business, specifically in relation to improving smallholder business models, and in turn the lives and livelihoods of the farmers they work with.

Fees and Expenses

The remuneration will be in accordance with the experience of the consultant for a maximum period of 4 months, starting 1 February 2021.

Applicants with the experience, skills and expertise for this assignment should submit a technical proposal. The technical proposal should detail the following: Understanding of the Terms of reference; A capacity statement including demonstrated ability to handle the assignment; A detailed plan of conducting the exercise, with clear description of the methodology; Budget breakdown detailing consultancy and any other related costs; Current Curriculum vitae with at least three recent organizations where similar services of the consultant have been utilized including contact details and title of assignment.