Small-Scale Business Development

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Description

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• Review agriculture-related off-farm business models successfully implemented by recently completed and ongoing IFAD and FAO-assisted projects in the country, such as: (i) women-run retail and service shops in wet markets, (ii) home-based micro-enterprises and business start-up for young people, especially girls, (iii) agricultural machinery and equipment rental and repair businesses. 
• Select promising business models and sites for the establishment of demonstration businesses (at least women-led business and 1 youth-led machinery rental and repair business per district).
• Select interested women and youth, based on a competitive process with objective selection criteria. 
• Provide training to the selected women and youth on business planning, business management, record keeping, logistics etc. 
• In collaboration with the post-harvest and primary processing expert, organize the procurement of the equipment and machinery to be provided as matching grants.
• Provide regular backstopping to the pilot businesses and refresher training as needed.
• Coordinate the support of the post-harvest and primary processing expert and the marketing expert to the women and youth-led small-scale agribusiness development.
• Organize exchange visits of PO representatives.  
• Provide other technical assistance related to value chain development, linking farmers to market and agribusiness development as requested by the STA and RAINS PMU.
• Prepare training and workshop reports conducted by the incumbent and field mission back-to-office reports.
• Contribute to FAO-TA and RAINS six-monthly progress reports to GAFSP.

• Advanced university degree in Rural development, Agricultural extension, Social Science or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience, in the are of agribusiness, small business, entrepreneurship, particularly for women and youth, or related area.  
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Bangladesh.

• Experience working with the private sector (input providers and produce buyers, small-scale agriculture enterprises) and producer organizations.
• Understanding of the agricultural value chain development process and principles of agricultural products’ marketing.
• Experience in working with public administration of central and local level in Bangladesh. 
• Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and duty travel as required.
• Excellent communication skills including writing skills, proven ability to convey complex ideas through clear communication, and concise reports, and effective oral presentations. 
• Willingness to work as a team member with multicultural and multidisciplinary team of experts.
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives of the assignment work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivation, willingness to learn and good work ethics.

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