Senior Food Processing Advisor at TechnoServe

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

TechnoServe is currently looking for Senior Food Processing Advisers for a potential USAID-funded Agriculture Competitiveness Project in Nigeria. The Project is designed to strengthen agriculture productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers. The Project comprises three main components: (i) design of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships and funding to catalyze technological innovations; (ii) administration of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve the Mission’s food security objectives. The Project will contribute to the Mission’s Feed the Future strategy, which looks to improve agriculture competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Senior Food Processing Advisor is the technical lead overseeing the provision of strategic advisory and business support to food processors at the country level. S/he will oversee all engagements with selected small and growing food processors, with a primary focus on clients requiring more advanced, customized support. S/he will collaborate with other team members in-country and across the project, to ensure coordinated and impactful implementation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Processor Selection

• Implement an objective, equitable, and transparent process for selection of processors who will contribute to intended program impacts based upon agreed selection criteria and pathways to impact.
• Evaluate processors based on concept notes, interviews and site visits, and verification of information supplied in the initial application.
• Conduct final selection based upon consultation with the Chief of Party.
• Document the processor selection process.
• Maintain a pipeline of sufficient clients.

Processor Assessment and Categorization

• Conduct a diagnostic assessment of each of the selected processors to identify priority business and technical challenges.
• Share and discuss the assessment with the client to verify findings, seek clarifications, and ensure a common understanding of the priorities. Use appropriate interview and business advisory methodologies to dig deeper and ensure that the root problems are identified.
• Categorize selected processors partners into predefined segments to pair them with the appropriate level and sophistication of technical advice.

Processor Relationship Management

• Conduct a foundational meeting for newly on-boarded clients to explain the project and partners and to agree on expectations.
• Oversee the signing and management of client agreements, including extensions as necessary and graduation.
• Ensure regular communication with all clients to maintain their satisfaction with project support and early identification of any problems.

Technical Assistance

• For less sophisticated clients with simpler technical and business needs, support in developing and delivering standardized training and quick win solutions, or more straightforward charters.
• For more sophisticated clients with more complex needs, develop and facilitate alignment on a project charter for each processor.
• Facilitate processors to adopt policies and practices that create safer and more equitable work environments.
• Source and facilitate relevant expertise from partner company volunteer experts to support the food processors. Liaise with volunteers and processors to ensure clear expectations and smooth communication.
• Plan activities to ensure that the shared objectives are met within the set times and resources and that impact is maximized.
• Provide on-the-ground support for the implementation of technical advice, on issues including product quality improvement, new product development, equipment upgrading, compliance with international standards, marketing, and branding.
• Provide business coaching as appropriate.

Sector Wide Trainings

Support the Project Team and local training institutes with technical input on the identification of appropriate topics and development of curricula for sector-wide training in support of broader industry development.

Access to Finance
Coordinate with processors and project financing partner to facilitate access to finance for the growth of assisted companies.

Market Linkages

• Liaise with the Market Linkages Manager to identify processors with an interest to improve supply chain linkages to smallholder farmers.
• Liaise with the Market Linkages Manager to identify processors with an interest to market nutritious products to low-income markets.
• Support, as necessary, client communication and coordination in these areas.

Monitoring,Evaluation, and Learning

• In coordination with the M&E Manager, monitor progress toward project objectives, manage the collection of processor reporting data, review data, and make recommendations to adapt project approach as necessary to maximize impact.
• Contribute towards explanations of metric results and provide input to reports.
• Provide anecdotal evidence of impact, including success stories, case studies, and lessons learned.
• Contribute well-written, cohesive sections of narrative reports for submission to the donor.
• Ensure activities carried out are in accordance with TechnoServe and donor requirements.

Representation

• Coordinate with local stakeholders, participating in relevant industry forums and represent the project at the country level.
• Work with stakeholders operating in the same space including the government and regulatory authorities to ensure that the project contributes to the national food security and nutrition agenda.

REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science or related area, Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 10 years' work experience in food processing, with at least 3 working in a manufacturing plant.
• Proven track record in providing technical solutions to food processors.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) as well as worker safety.
• Exceptionally strong project management and analytical skills, as evidenced by leading roles on successful initiatives of significant scale.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and good computer skills in business software (Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint).
• Strong English skills.