Position: Senior Agricultural Marketing Specialist – MCA Lesotho HTGSD
Opportunity Type: Full-Time Job
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
About the Organization:
Connexus Corporation is an international development consulting firm that provides consulting services in the areas of agriculture, finance, and enterprise development. Connexus’ mission is to provide high quality global consulting services to transform international development and build local capacity. Connexus is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Position Description
Connexus is seeking a Senior Agricultural Marketing Specialist for the anticipated MCA Lesotho Horticulture Training, Gender, and Social Development (HTGSD) opportunity. The core objective of this initiative is to design and implement training and capacity building activities for smallholder farmers and emerging agribusinesses across the horticultural value chain, with a particular focus on the inclusion of women and youth. Falling under the Market-Driven Irrigated Horticulture (MDIH) Project, HTGSD seeks to improve the social, institutional, and business enabling environment for commercial horticulture production and to optimize the utilization of irrigation infrastructure investments.
As the Senior Agricultural Marketing Specialist, you will be tasked with developing and implementing a market systems approach to support the sustainable development of commercial horticultural value chains in Lesotho.
The position will be based in Lesotho. This position is contingent upon project award and approval by MCA Lesotho.
Tasks and Responsibilities
- Facilitate linkages between smallholder farmers and the various private sector to support commercial horticulture production.
- Work with the BETA Project to strengthen the business enabling environment and support co-emergence of agribusinesses and services across the horticulture value chain including establishing agricultural contracting, standards, pricing, and logistics.
- Conduct comprehensive market analyses to identify key stakeholders and gaps and barriers for smallholder production and trade across the horticulture value chain.
- Accompany smallholder groups and farmer companies as they work with the private sector firms to fulfill production contracts.
- Coordinate with MCA, consultants, and other key stakeholders across the Compact to ensure private sector models are sustained after project closeout.
- Work to integrate women and youth into commercial horticultural activities.
- Provide technical leadership to ensure capacity building activities are responsive to the realities of the commercial horticulture market in Lesotho.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, agricultural economics, or other related fields.
- 10 years of experience developing and implementing marketing strategies and systems for commercial horticulture, involving all aspects of the commodity chain (from post-harvest handling through retail).
- Experience working on agriculture trade in Lesotho.
- Legally authorized to work in Lesotho.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English and Sesotho.
Deadline: January 31, 2024
How to Apply
Interested candidates can send their resume and cover letter to [email protected] with “Senior Ag Marketing Specialist – HTGSD” in the subject line. No phone calls please.