Land O’Lakes Venture37

Project Description: Land O’Lakes Venture37, the University of Minnesota (UMN), Stellenbosch University (SU), and Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) have forged an innovative partnership to establish the Center for Agricultural Transformation (CAT), an inclusive science, technology, and market systems center of excellence, which is helping smallholder Malawian farmers make economically viable, data-driven decisions for diversifying their livelihoods. Supported by Foundation for a Smoke Free World (FSFW) through its affiliate Agricultural Transformation Initiative (ATI), the CAT leverages strategic partnerships to facilitate smallholder farmer (SHF) adoption of new/improved technologies and innovations in alternative value chains. Core to the refreshed CAT strategy under implementation since mid-2022 is the renewed recognition that without trusted off-take markets smallholder farmers (SHF) are and will continue to be reluctant to adopt new productivity-increasing or risk-mitigating technologies and practices, as well as move into production of new value chains outside tobacco.

Position Summary and Primary Responsibilities: The Value chain Development Specialist designs and oversees the implementation value chain development interventions leading to the successful commercialization of agricultural technologies, provision of sustainable ready markets, and adoption of technologies and innovations in alternative value chains among smallholder farmers in Malawi.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Conducts an inclusive identification of key stakeholders in selected alternative value chains.
• Analyze the existing alternative value chains and identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
• Work closely with key stakeholders, including farmers, input suppliers, commodity aggregators, and agro-processors to support the development of strategies that enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the alternative value chains. 
• Develop and implement interventions that address the identified gaps and challenges in the alternative value chains.
• Identify and support short-term technical assistance service providers who will be tasked with addressing capacity gaps among value chain actors including smallholder farmers.
• Facilitate the scaling of relevant agricultural technologies through business development support services such as financial reporting, human capital, marketing, mentorship, etc.
• Enhance the application of Human Centered Designing Principles among entrepreneurs/innovators to promote the development of strategic partnerships with grassroot organizations and increase farmer reach.
• Leverage existing smallholder-focused distribution and extension networks to scale adoption of promising technologies;
• Facilitate links to the full range of financiers to support scale of promising new technology ventures;

Reporting & Supervision: The position will report to the Market Systems Director.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, or any related field.
• 4 years’ relevant experience in Malawi
• Demonstrated experience and success in accelerating investment readiness of small- and medium-sized businesses.
• Experience in developing and implementing agricultural-finance models (micro-finance, banking, or impact investing) is desired.
• A good understanding of the public, private, academia, NGO and investment environment in Malawi and the ability to negotiate and foster strategic partnerships to support sustainable agricultural transformation.
• Demonstrated experience and sound understanding of farmer technology adoption models.
• Capacity to periodically write/present high-quality reports on project activities and results under tight deadlines for a wide range of stakeholders.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical, and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Strong inter-personal skills, self-motivated and result-driven, with ability to effectively build and manage networks and relationships for program promotion and issues resolution.
• Good command of English and Chichewa, spoken and written.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls will be accepted.

Land O’Lakes Venture37 never requests money or payment from candidates for any position type. Please report any such requests to Land O’Lakes Venture37.

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is an equal opportunity employer and an organization striving to help global communities thrive through agriculture. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, among other factors. Our culture values a diversity of voices. So, bring us your unique experiences, your workstyle, and your dreams — they’ll only make us stronger.