Business Development Officer - Agribusiness

About the role

IITA-Ghana is looking for a Business Development Officer to support its Africa RISING and N2Africa projects in Tamale. The role covers building the strategic framework for sustainable agricultural input business development, identifying partnerships and business opportunities, and supporting advocacy and grant applications.

Key responsibilities

• Establish the strategic framework for sustainable agricultural input business development.
• Identify existing partnerships and initiatives in the agricultural input business sector, and find new business alliances.
• Set up multi-stakeholder platforms on legume crop value chains and business incubation partnerships.
• Prepare technical and non-technical reports.
• Supervise and train research technicians on data collection.
• Help organise workshops and meetings with partners and stakeholders.
• Identify fundraising opportunities and help apply for business development grants.
• Carry out advocacy and promotional campaigns for business development.
• Report to project management on progress.

Required profile

• MSc in business economics, agricultural economics, agribusiness management, business administration, entrepreneurship, development economics or a related discipline.
• At least 4-5 years of experience in agribusiness development.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder platforms in input-output markets and to build strategic plans and partnerships in agriculture.
• Good writing and verbal communication in English and other local languages of northern Ghana.
• Ability to manage multiple, sometimes conflicting demands from organisations and partners.

Required skills

• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of statistical packages for agribusiness analysis.
• Team player who can work in a multicultural team.

Applications with a cover letter, CV and three referees are sent by email to the Country Representative, IITA, by 31 December 2014; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and qualified women are encouraged to apply.