VACANCY CIRCULAR

iDE Bangladesh

Technical Specialist – Agriculture

iDE is an international NGO with over 40 years of experience in designing and delivering market-based anti-poverty programs in 11 countries. We are a world leader in making markets work for the poor as well as the longest-established market development specialist NGO in Bangladesh. iDE believes that markets can be a powerful force for improving smallholder prosperity by creating income and livelihood opportunities for poor rural households. iDE Bangladesh currently has eight projects in Agricultural Markets, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Access to Finance with a focus on women’s economic empowerment and climate-smart technologies.

iDE Bangladesh is looking for a qualified Technical Specialist- Agriculture with a focus on market systems and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture and food systems. The Technical Specialist will be responsible for designing and implementing strategies to support smallholder farmers in climate-smart agriculture, Promotion of food safety and nutrition at schools through entrepreneurs, and Supporting vermicomposting entrepreneurs with business model development and access to financing.


Number of Vacancies

1 (One)

Job Location

Dhaka with field visits as needed

Reporting Line

Project Manager-LDSC project

Contract Duration

One Year Initially, possible extension depending on performance and fund availability.

Roles and Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Technical Specialist-Agriculture will include but are not limited to the descriptions below-

  • Provide technical guidance to increase agricultural production or productivity
  • Engage relevant entrepreneurs to promote food safety and nutrition at schools
  • Develop strategies and business models to promote vermicomposting with the engagement of relevant entrepreneurs
  • Facilitate the development of Joint Venture Agreements with financial institutions and machinery firms; subsequently, manage their implementation; and monitor and report on results using market system indicators. 
  • Facilitate entry and foster interest of LFs and SMEs in Bangladesh through coordination with chambers of commerce and industries, networking events, and other.
  • Support the development of a market for sales of climate-smart agricultural machinery in Bangladesh
  • Provide technical guidance, mentorship to field team and assist field team colleagues to facilitate trade and investment intervention with relevant stakeholders.
  • Actively participate in detailed implementation planning and intervention budgeting process.
  • Provide technical inputs on the design of market-based interventions and activities in the following broad areas:
    • Access to financial products and services for key market actors in the value chain
    • Outreach to local social enterprises with a focus on increasing profitability, marketing, and autonomy for the agricultural machinery sector in Bangladesh
    • Trade facilitation and investment promotion to attract international firms
  • Provide technical guidance and support to field teams in the implementation of the above activities in LDSC working areas as and when required, ensuring that a market system approach is maintained and followed. 
  • Support implementation of the project’s overall access to finance strategy, including building and managing partnerships
  • Support market-based initiatives aimed at improving access to finance and financial management by agricultural machinery lead firms and machinery manufacturing enterprises
  • Manage budgets for assigned interventions and ensure efficient allocation of funding
  • Assist in the preparation of periodic progress reports, technical briefs, case studies, and success stories
  • Work closely with iDE’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) unit to periodically review and refine the project’s results chain and indicators in order to ensure that the project is capturing market system change

Skills and Experience: Candidates are expected to have the following qualifications, skills, and experience


Education
  • Master's degree in Business, Agriculture, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or other relevant disciplines

Work Experience
  • A minimum of 05 years of experience in international development organizations with a focus on partnership development with different organizations, especially in the development of the agricultural market system.
  • Experience facilitating grants with the private sector for at least 03 years will be essential.
  • Proven experience and an established network with Agriculture companies will be expected.
  • Proven, practical experience with market systems or value chain development

Personal Skills
  • Ability to work with team members and flexibility to adapt to different work conditions
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • Proven interpersonal and intercultural skills, including flexibility and sensitivity
  • Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to gender diversity

Physical and Language Skills
  • Ability to travel and undertake fieldwork in rural contexts
  • Written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to present coherent and convincing messages to different audiences
  • Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office, Suite and Google Apps

Application Process: Please submit your up-to-date CV (not more than four pages) with a cover letter (not more than two pages) describing your interest through Workable.
                                        
To apply online via Workable, please visit:
https://apply.workable.com/ide-global/j/F62F0C3085/
    Application Deadline: 21 April 2024
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview

(Any personal persuasion will result in disqualification)

Women are actively encouraged to apply

iDE provides a women friendly work environment with flexible work arrangements, appropriate skill development opportunities and good career development potential for high performing individuals. We are committed to creating a diverse environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Employee selection and related decisions are made without regard to gender, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Fraud Alert: Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Job Offers. Please be vigilant against any job postings falsely claiming to be from iDE. At no point in our recruitment process do we request payment, fees, or sensitive personal information from applicants. Ensure you are accessing genuine iDE job opportunities by visiting only our official social media pages (Facebook, LinkedIn) and recognized national and international job sites.