Programme Policy Officer

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Description

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FtMA is a consortium of six agri-focused organizations, with a mission of making markets work better for smallholder farmers since 2016. Through a demand-led approach, FtMA works with local agricultural ecosystem players to sustainably improve farmer livelihoods whilst fostering commercial viability of value chain stakeholders. FtMA promotes the growth of viable smallholder-facing business models through strategic and hands-on partnerships. FtMA coordinates the ecosystem, co-innovates products and services, and provides information management covering market access, access to finance, access to inputs and technology, and post-harvest handling and storage to overcome critical value chain bottlenecks in smallholder crop markets through our unique model, the Farmer Service Centre.

The strategic aim of FtMA is to increase incomes and resilience of smallholders through providing them access to commercially sustainable value chains. This objective of directly linking smallholders into agricultural retail input networks increases their access to reliable, cost-effective productivity-enhancing services, inputs, and technologies, while at the same time opening direct access to markets and long-term off-takers. FtMA will establish strong linkages to reliable and open markets and create a new market pull – driving future small-scale farmers’ development. By creating new possibilities for innovation and modernization throughout the value chain, all stakeholders’ prospects of successfully investing in the future will be improved. FtMA’s vision is to enable sustainable food systems through strengthened markets that empower smallholders to increase their yields, incomes, and resilience, and to improve global food security. This will be achieved by creating an inclusive commercial environment throughout the food value chains, supported by appropriate policies and investments in hard and soft infrastructures.

A comprehensive FtMA Business Plan for Tanzania has been developed to provide quality technical assistance that aligns with FtMA’s objectives and complements both public and private sector investments in developing viable, sustainable, and robust agricultural value chains. Therefore, FtMA is looking for a Deputy Coordinator to assist in implementing and coordinating FtMA operations in Tanzania.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced University degree in Economics, International Development, Social Sciences, Agri-business, Rural development or other related field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses.

Experience:

• Typically 4 years or more of post-graduate (or 6 years with no graduate degree) progressively responsible professional experience formulating and managing program strategies. This includes smallholder facing and other resilience initiatives/projects. Experience leading teams and improving performance.
• Language: Fluency in both oral and written English and Swahili. The ability to communicate in any other official UN language would be an asset.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

• The Deputy Coordinator will be based at the World Food Programme (WFP)’s country office in Dar es Salaam and will hold a WFP contract. He/she will report to the FtMA Country Coordinator and work in close coordination with the FtMA Global Team, and relevant WFP Country Office units. 

JOB PURPOSE

• To assist in implementing and coordinating FtMA operations in Tanzania and /or provide technical advice or oversight on programme strategy and implementation.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Support the development and execution of the country implementation plan for the 2024/25 season.
• Assist in leading the country-level implementation, overseeing project interventions, and engaging with key value chain stakeholders: farmers, aggregators, buyers, input providers, financial institutions, and extension service providers.
• Aid in establishing strategic partnerships with the requisite private and public sector actors, including relevant MOUs and other agreement formats.
• Collaborate with the FtMA Coordinator, WFP Country Office and FtMA Global Team to identify and pursue in-country resource mobilization opportunities.
• Support the capacity building of Farmer Service Centres, Cooperating Partners, and other value chain actors to enable their engagement with structured food crops trade.
• Assist in building the skill capacity of and manage a locally recruited team to act as change agents promoting sustainable pro-smallholder value chains in multi-stakeholder contexts.
• Oversee monitoring of activities in coordination with the FtMA Coordinator to allow for timely identification of emerging issues and informing ongoing interventions for mitigation measures.
• Collaborate with relevant WFP units within CO teams to create synergy to pursue the pro-smallholder farmers goals.
• Provide regular updates to the FtMA Coordinator and FtMA Global Team and raise issues requiring management attention in a timely manner.
• Serve as a daily focal point for the local and regional stakeholders.
• Represent the interests of FtMA and WFP in agriculture-related forums.
• Perform other related duties as required.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Coordination of Teams Activities; 
• Cooperating partners have gaps identified and capacities built.
• Ensure smooth implementation of the FSC model; focusing on the support given to agri-prenuers and high functioning AMCOS. 
• Develop new partnerships with local private sector with focus on offtakers, mechanization providers and other relevant service providers.
• Completion of related tasks as requested by the supervisor.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of SMEs, pro-smallholder procurement, and commercial agriculture models.
• Ability to explain strategies and projects to field counterparts and communicate with local governments and partners clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Familiarity with planning and implementing small-holder market support and capacity building programs at national or sub-national level.
• Ability to lead, coach, and motivate teams for efficient and effective delivery of results.
• Ability to assimilate and analyze complex issues using independent judgment and anticipate potential strategic impact.
• Negotiation and motivational skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels within and beyond the organization.
• Tact and ability to work harmoniously with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Resourcefulness, initiative, and problem-solving skills, with a strong client orientation for value chain stakeholders.
• Knowledge of various aspects of financial services and modeling is a bonus.
• Experience with large international organizations preferable.
• Ability to frequently travel within the country.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has experience working across the Program portfolio including agricultural ecosystem.
• Has led an Office or a small country/area office programme team or a component of a country office programme portfolio.
• Has engaged in policy discussions and provided input into policy decisions.

Source: https://career5.successfactors.eu//career?career_ns=job_listing&company=C0000168410P&navBarLevel=JOB_SEARCH&rcm_site_locale=en_GB&career_job_req_id=833697

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