Business Development Manager at Propcom Mai-karfi

Propcom Mai-karfi is a six year DFID-funded programme that started in December 2011. The goal of this six year programme is increased incomes for the poor through enhanced employment opportunities in Northern Nigeria. The purpose is increased employment and improved productivity in selected agricultural and rural market systems in Northern Nigeria.

Propcom Mai-karfi is recruiting a Business Development Manager. This is an important position within the programme. It is an exciting but challenging job requiring commitment and flexibility, and a range of intellectual skills. You would lead and manage your own work as part of a market section of five people. If you have a strong commitment to improving the lives of poor rural women and men, are physically and emotionally robust, have a business attitude, and an ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team, then we would like to hear from you.

Job Title: Business Development Manager 

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Background
The goal of this six year programme is ‘Increased incomes for the poor through enhanced employment opportunities in Northern Nigeria”. The purpose is ‘Increased employment and improved productivity in selected agricultural market systems in Northern Nigeria’.

It is expected that the programme will deliver the following results:

At least 500,000 poor people in Northern Nigeria, 50% women, will see their incomes raised by at least 50%; At least £100m of additional public and private investment will be stimulated in support of the agriculture sector.

The current programme outputs are described in the original ToR as including, but not limited to:

Changes in 4-6 agriculture and rural product markets based on the assessed needs of these sectors. (e.g. increased access to private sector supply and distribution of inputs); Government policies and their implementation processes changed in order to create an enabling environment for agriculture and rural sector development. (e.g. increase in Government investment in enabling infrastructure or a decrease in distorting government intervention), Improved economic opportunities for women in Northern Nigeria, Improved food security and nutrition and reduction in the vulnerability of poor people living in rural areas in Northern Nigeria, and: Improved market linkages into the neighbouring Sahel.

The 6-year programme (Design and Implementation) of between £22 million and £27 million will provide intensive support to a range of market functions and value chains in selected sectors, support entrepreneurship development and enterprise innovation, stimulate private sector provision of services and promote innovative and inclusive business models which have a potential to reach a large number of low-income people, using the methodology of Making Markets Work for the Poor.

General Responsibilities
The Business Development Manager will lead and manage 2-3 programme interventions. This involves the usual functions of: design, strategy, plan, communicate, control, monitor and report.  S/he will develop and maintain close relationships with project partners (mostly businesses) while overseeing and coordinating the implementation of project interventions.

Specific Responsibilities
The Business Development Manager will:

Represent the programme in selected markets, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with partners, other members of the programme, and with public. Understand how the political economy impacts rural markets, and how changes in the functioning of markets may impact the political economy. Formulate strategies to develop service markets in these commodity chains/rural markets and seek opportunities to work as per sector strategy. Maintain contacts with key stakeholders to increase synergies. Conduct regular field visits to ensure proper implementation of activities. Take part in facilitating and managing the work of partners/co-facilitators/service providers of programme and ensure “value for money” for the tasks given. Remain well aware of developments in the relevant sectors/markets/commodity chains. Refine and adapt the intervention strategies in light of participant and stakeholder requests and changing needs and opportunities, within the overall program of Propcom. Help supervise/facilitate the identification and development of networks among key stakeholders, helping identify common interests between the networks and Propcom. Help identify market failures and pressure points for addressing them; help identify ways to render a given market more functional and efficient, in a manner that will benefit the poor. Refine and adapt the commodity chain intervention strategies in light of participant and stakeholder requests and changing needs, within the overall program Develop intervention strategies and implementation procedures in a participatory manner with key stakeholdersIdentify priority areas for interventions that will change as opportunities pass or are realized and new ones emerge. Assist in establishing contacts with national and regional institutions, stakeholders and participants that would contribute to the successful implementation of market activities. Support the Communications staff and Results Measurement staff in implementing the project RM system, particularly as it pertains to the markets, systemic change, and gender disaggregated impacts on the poor, as well as other social development issues: Assist to update and supervise RM aspects of the intervention activities, including establishing baselines, indicators, and results. Assist in collecting baseline data related to interventions targeted for study or implementation by the project. Assist in providing technical oversight of the market and the fulfillment of its development purpose as expressed in the program action plans and log frames.

Required Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Knowledge

A post graduate level qualification in economics, business, design, or sciences. Understanding and interest in how markets work. Good working knowledge of Nigeria’s economic development

Experience

Minimum of 3 years' work experience in activities related to agricultural commodities and rural development, with some experience working with the private sector and confirmed knowledge of the institutions and organizations that provide services to the agricultural sector in Nigeria. Ability and experience of developing simple business plans Ability to influence a range of people including client organisations, government agencies and other key stakeholders by building constructive relationships through clear communication and generate effective discussion and mutual support for plans and ideas. Strong project management expertise, exposure to implementing technical assistance projects, and ability to bring together sector stakeholders.

Skills

Strong interpersonal/people management skills and excellent oral and written communication skills. Willingness to work in the field. Excellent problem solving and analytical skills. Excellent networking and relationship-building skills. Fluency in Hausa language is an advantage

Personal Qualities: The commitment and flexibility to carry out varied responsibilities. There must be a strong commitment to gender sensitive, pro-poor development work and an ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team.

Reporting
The Business Development Manager will report primarily to the Team Leader or a senior designated staff.

Duty Station
This position is based in Abuja but the Business Development Manager will be required to travel within and outside Nigeria as required.

Application Closing Date
15th October, 2013

Method of Application
Interested candidates should send their resume and application letter to: imrecruit@propcommaikarfi.org