PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Winrock is seeking a qualified Investment & Enterprise Technical Director for an anticipated USAID-funded project that aims to increase the commercialization, inclusiveness, and competitiveness of horticulture market systems in Tanzania. The project will follow a systems approach to transform the organization of horticulture markets – transforming the relationships between end-market buyers and smallholder suppliers, on the one hand, and agro-dealers and smallholders, on the other. As a result of strengthened systems relationships, it is expected that end-market buyers and agro-dealers will provide technical services and in-kind credit to smallholders as well as more efficient transactions in output and input markets. This position is contingent on receipt of donor funding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Investment & Enterprise Technical Director will oversee facilitative interventions that:

• Support market system actors – including smallholder producer organizations – to improve their business and financial management systems and increase their access to investment and working capital.
• Build the capacity of market actors to develop investment-ready business plans and access credit, equity investments, and other financial products.
• Collaborate with financial institutions to develop and scale appropriate saving and lending products that respond to social, cultural and economic dynamics of target beneficiaries.
• Identify opportunities for ICT-based solutions to improve accessibility of financial services
• Strengthen community-based social safety nets through expansion of saving and lending membership groups

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education:        

• Master’s degree required in business administration, agribusiness, finance, economics, or related field of study

Work Experience:          

• Minimum of 10 years of practical experience in facilitating market systems interventions
• Demonstrated experience building partnerships with the private sector – including financial service providers and investors
• Experience with both formal and informal mechanisms for engaging business development service providers and accessing finance from commercial lenders and private investors
• A nuanced understanding of agricultural policy, economics, and market dynamics
• Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse public and private partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills:   

• Technical understanding of key principles of gender mainstreaming and youth empowerment.
• Ability to build coalitions and networks that can provide synergies and sustainable solutions for the project.
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the initiative and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of regional stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili required