CNFA-CI
recrute
PRODUCTION AND TRADE FACILITATION SPECIALIST
Description du poste
CNFA is currently seeking applications from qualified candidates for a Production and Trade Facilitation Specialist to support a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) project in West Africa region (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria) called USDA West Africa PRO-Cashew project. The project aims to improve agricultural production and expand trade of agricultural products.
About the Project
PRO-Cashew will work to boost the competitiveness of West African producers by improving efficiency and quality in production and trade, and by working to develop more coherent regional trade and investment policies. In doing so, the project will strengthen producer capacities as well as develop incentives to renovate and rehabilitate cashew farms, improve production and quality, and create a more competitive West African raw cashew nut for the international market.
PRO-Cashew will focus on achieving the following objectives:
• To increase productivity and efficiency of actors in the cashew value chain through strengthening the capacities of cooperatives/producer organizations, promoting rehabilitating and renovating of orchards, nursery systems and input suppliers.
• To improve and expand the trade of cashew and cashew products through improving crop quality; addressing gaps in data collection, analysis and dissemination; and encouraging harmonized regional policies to supply products that meet market demand.
PRO-Cashew will undertake a series of activities to achieve the ambitious targets captured in the Performance Management Plan. As a result of these activities, PRO-Cashew expects the following high-level outcomes results by the end of the program:
• 10% average increase in agricultural commodities among program participants.
• $134,000,000 value of sales of farms and firms receiving USDA assistance.
• 211,223 MT volume of commodities sold by farms and firms receiving USDA assistance.
• 70,340 number of individuals participating in USDA food security programs.
The Production and Trade Facilitation Specialist will provide leadership and technical expertise in cashew production, organic and fair trade certifications, and on better cashew policies that affects the West Africa competitiveness of the cashew nuts. S/he will support the project team, client, and counterparts in the implementation of all project activities that will build the capacity of stakeholders in cashew production and marketing.
S/he will maintain close relationships with private industry stakeholders, national and regional institutions promoting trade, and with organizations that are supporting trade logistics and those building the capacity of businesses to meet quality standards.
This position is based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and will require travel in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria. S/he will provide expertise in production and supply chain, in policy and advocacy, improve logistics for regional and international trade and will report to the Program Director.
Job Description
The Production and Trade Facilitation Specialist will be responsible for a wide range of functions, including but not limited to:
Major Production Duties and Responsibilities
Lead the strategy and implementation of production segment in selected countries between the US and West African Implementing Countries
Monitor the implementation of the project's production programs in order to provide the best responses
Coordinate the technical aspects of partners, including the grantees activities related to production, quality standards and certification program that will increase the competitiveness of the West African cashew sector
Provide expertise, advice and recommendations to the Capacity building specialist and Cashew expert on production issues
Major Trade Duties and Responsibilities
Work with the Government and the project team to identify possible cashew sector-specific policy reform areas
Work with the regional teams’ members to understand and facilitate entrepreneur’s varying needs for meeting trade regulatory requirements and apply expertise to individual business opportunities
Collaborate with stakeholders including public and private stakeholders such as the West African or country-specific businesses that represent trade, and officials/deal teams in the U.S. Embassies, including USAID, Department of Commerce, Department of State, DFC, USTR and other USG entities, African governments and institutions such as Export Trade agencies, and private sector chambers of commerce, African Cashew Alliance, National Cashew Committee and Consultative International Cashew council ;
Work closely with the Program Director and Chief of Party, supporting the governments of implementing countries to move policy through all phases of development
Coordinate with the governments of the implementing countries to establish MOUs and help identify counterparts for policy development and capacity development assistance
Facilitate dialogue within the government and with civil society; engage with research centers partnering with the project and supporting project dialogue activities, through, but not limited to: helping develop themes and discussion areas, supporting quality assurance and development of any content for dialogue activities, and supporting the events themselves
General Responsibilities
Contribute to writing semi-annual report, develop success stories and annual work plans, and overall management of the project in line with USDA guidelines and within set timelines to achieve objectives;
Provide the programs team leverage in moving programs and initiatives forward by assisting with information gathering, communicating with different parties, developing, and monitoring plans, keeping track of responsibilities, etc.
Support efforts to provide effective coordination and guidance among academic institutions, local Government, smallholder farmers, service providers, cashew processing firms and other key stakeholders;
Ensure quality control and be able to adjust activities and operations in response to technical direction
Profil du poste
MBA or master’s degree in business and/or trade law, economics, agronomic or similar field
At least 10 years of professional experience working, with a minimum of 5 years in agriculture for an international donor and/or government agencies
At least 3 years of experience in food safety, agricultural certifications and export trade, including any experience working with the regulatory environment and other legal and policy issues affecting trade, customs and export requirements
Experience working with public and private stakeholders and clients
Preferably some experience working with the United States Government Funded Projects
Relevant regional work experience in West Africa
Fluency in English and French required
Dossiers de candidature
Please click on the link below to apply: https://cnfa.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/519
