Climate Smart Agribusiness Advisor SNV

SNV is an international development organisation that applies practical know-how to make a lasting SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; to increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and to improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all. In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Together, we are committed to effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts.

Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

CRAFT Project Background
Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) project is implemented by SNV (lead) in partnership with Wageningen University and Research (WUR), CGIAR’s Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Agriterra, and Rabo Partnerships in Uganda Kenya and Tanzania. The Euro 36 million project is funded by The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS). The consortium offers a strong platform to not only manage and coordinate a robust climate smart agriculture project, but also provide targeted technical assistance, business facilitation, as well as research and knowledge management support. The project uses an Inclusive Business development approach to support the international and Dutch efforts on climate change and sustainable production in arable farming.

Job Description
SNV is seeking to recruit the services of a Climate Smart Agribusiness Advisor. The Climate Smart Agribusiness Advisor will be responsible for guiding adoption and scaling of climate smart technologies and innovations by farmers, cooperatives, and SME’s. S/he will advise on specific climate smart interventions and extension systems along the agribusiness value chain including service providers, implementing a matching grant for innovations and agribusiness sustainability. S/he will coordinate with the CSA partners to contribute to cost/benefit analysis which will underpin the investments for effective climate resilient production systems. Support will be provided to SMEs and farmer groups/cooperatives on the most appropriate climate integration strategies, which enhances productivity and income of producers/agribusiness. The incumbent will contribute to the joint learning of smallholder producers and SME adoption of climate smart agriculture. S/he will coordinate, manage, and supervise local extension providers in the business cases. S/he will support technical expert missions to strengthen farmer organizations/cooperatives and SMEs in arable crop farming and management. The advisor will support policy related, dialogue and advocacy in collaboration with consortium partners and appropriate institutions.

Responsibilities:
• Supervise, coach and mentor CRAFT Agribusiness partners implementing CSA practices and technologies and ensure successful implementation.
• Support agribusinesses and partners in promoting, market uptake and scaling of evidence-based climate smart technologies and innovations, integrating renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions along the chains.
• Contribute to climate risk assessments of entry commodities (pulses, oilseed, potatoes, and cereals) and others in the farming systems.
• Support CSA implementation through a contextual analysis, analyzing the barriers for uptake of climate smart agricultural best practices and innovative practices, and formulate recommendations for smallholder farmers, SMEs, financial institution, and governments.
• Contribute to development and implementation of tailored CSA training and coaching programs for small holder farmers (including women and youth), extension services providers (public, private, NGOs etc.), farmer cooperatives on climate-proofing agricultural production systems for selected value chains.
• Support in the development of services providers business cases and scaling successful ones especially inclusion of inclusive and innovative water and energy efficient technologies.
• Facilitate and/or contribute to development of strategic partnership and collaboration in the areas of climate-smart agriculture.
• Support enabling environment function in collaboration with appropriate institutions.

Qualifications
• A minimum of bachelor’s degree but preferably a master’s degree in Agribusiness or related fields.
• Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience working with arable crops agribusinesses, farmer organizations and smallholder farmers.
• Ability and demonstrated experience with climate smart agriculture innovations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and/or evaluate climate change adaptation and resilience activities with focus on agriculture production.
• Technical expertise in qualitative or quantitative methodologies, data collection and analysis.
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills.
• Flexible to take on additional responsibilities as assigned/delegated.
• Willingness to travel to all project locations.
• Excellent organizational, negotiation, influencing and advisory/coaching skills.
• Strong work ethics, high level of confidentiality and Integrity.
• Good report writing skills with proven ability to compile case studies, practice, and policy briefs and (other) documents for learning and sharing.
• Computer skills and software applications (email, word processing, spreadsheets, statistical programs).
• Skills in teamwork, facilitation, and training.
• Sensitive and committed to gender equity and diversity.
• Additional Information