Description
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of specially-abled.FUNCTION:The Program Manager - Market Facilitation will facilitate market linkage activities for signature programs, cooperatives and farmer enterprises and ensure all deliverables in relation to product marketing strategy in a sustainable manner. S/he must be able to analyze a system of interconnected actors and strategically act to change this system by identifying key leverage points and creating mutually beneficial opportunities for the actors. The Manager will contribute to the development of all types of business hubs (beef, goat, vegetables, flowers and others) under the signature program, along with the marketing and branding function. S/he will lead regional activities of Rajshahi and work in close coordination with the Heifer Bangladesh Program team across various functions, project partners and other stakeholders. This position is based in Rajshahi and requires extensive field travel.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES: (including approximate percentage effort)
Market System Development, Business Development and Product Marketing Facilitation (70%)
Lead to conduct market research, value chain and supply chain analysis, and stakeholder analysis for identification of viable new business opportunities for co-ops and for strengthening existing businesses.Meet regularly with producers, market actors, and other stakeholders to identify and uncover obvious, inherent, and hidden needs.Identify market opportunities, facilitate producer organizations to set marketing goals, connect producer organizations/unions with the market to sell their products.Build functional partnerships for producerโs organizations with relevant stakeholders (private sector, government agencies, other cross-cutting providers, etc.) for sustainable product marketing.Understand opportunities in the market system and the perspectives of a wide variety of actors; create mutually beneficial opportunities and stimulate action; separate root causes from symptoms and see emerging patterns.Lead the development and implementation of a marketing and branding strategy for Heifer promoted products and services (live goat, beef, vegetable, flower, dairy, local chicken, etc.) at various levels.Lead co-op-based business solutions and market information system, assist in building collection centers, develop operational guidelines and support their proper functioning.Develop linkages and manage sectoral networks with cooperative based business hubs (buyer network, input suppliersโ network, etc.) as well as facilitate strong linkages with local government and non-government stakeholders.Facilitate co-ops/warehouses/collection centers to track all business information โ marketing, sales, and income data and prepare detailed written reports.Support consumer behavior surveys and market trend analysis of Heifer promoted products to develop a marketing and branding strategy.Provide support for conducting a consumer awareness survey on safe and hygienic food consumption.Facilitate local resource leverage from different private organizations and government.Coordination, Monitoring, and Reporting (25%)
Manage project implementation by mobilizing relevant Heifer staff, government and NGOs, private partners and local implementing partners in the field.Lead and coordinate all regional signature program activities (quality implementation, achievement and reporting).Monitor and improve governance and institutional development of Heifer cooperatives in the region.Ensure that all project and reporting requirements are met.Provide guidance and support to field level project teams through periodic planning and reviews of implementation plans.Work closely with the Heifer management team, different thematic leads, program field team and other relevant stakeholders to ensure project objectives are met.Prepare an implementation plan including timeline, milestones, MELS plan, etc. and train/coach the project staff and partners in executing the plan.Support and coordinate with the administration and finance team to ensure the projectsโ operations, legal and auditorial requirements are met.Prepare learning documents of the processes and prepare periodic reports and updates.May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
A bachelorโs degree or equivalent from a recognized university in Business Administration, Economics, Business Studies, Agriculture Economics, or a related field, plus a minimum of seven (7) years of related experience including two (2) years in a supervisory role, ORMasterโs degree from a recognized university, plus at least five (5) years of relevant experience including two (2) years in a supervisory roleExperience in leading/facilitating business development/market linkages/access to finance or development of business and production plansKnowledge in agriculture cooperative developmentFluent in local language and English โ both spoken and writtenPossess a working knowledge on sustainable livelihoods, value chain and market developmentKnowledge of community organizations โ self-help groups, farmer producer groups, etc.Experience of field data collectionGood analytical skills and ability to verify informationESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:
Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful mannerAbility to prepare and present documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detailProven team and customer care skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff, including field staff in several locationsConstant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues both within and outside the countryConstant sitting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of timeAbility to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentialityAbility to perform multiple tasks with minimal supervisionWillingness to work with a flexible scheduleWillingness to travel both locally and internationallyAble to effectively promote Heiferโs