Project Manager International Development Enterprises

Job Opportunities – iDE Zambia

Project name; PHL Venture – Last-mile Business Model Innovation Pilot

PHL Venture Project is a pre-existing portfolio project of the WFP Innovation Accelerator, launched to implement innovative business models to make post-harvest loss (PHL) technologies affordable and accessible for farmers in developing countries, while ensuring commercial viability for supply chain actors.

In collaboration with public- and private- sector partners, and governments, the project intends to enable conducive ecosystems that minimize food losses and eventually foster economic recovery for smallholder farmers.

iDE Zambia has received 1 Year funding from Bayer to pilot innovative last mile business models to make post-harvest loss (PHL) technologies affordable and accessible for farmers at the last mile. Proven models will be scaled and local knowledge networks will be created, building on partnerships with the private sector, governments, NGOs, and other agencies of the United Nations.

Key activities and output under this Project shall include,

• Collaborating with design consultants contracted by WFP in the ideation and subsequent testing / piloting of innovative business models in the targeted rural markets.
• Design appropriate marketing/sales strategies as part of the business model testing informed by the ‘STP’ (segmentation, targeting, positioning) strategic marketing approach to deliver competitive value proposition to customers.
• Identify and engage lead-private sector suppliers of targeted PHL technologies in market performance driven partnerships.
• Forging and leveraging SMART collaborations with complementary projects within iDE Zambia and with government line ministries.
• Leveraging the farm business advisor (FBA) network to promote a competitive supplier engaged rural marketing and supply chain (distribution network) for PHL technologies
• Adaptive Management, data gathering and management (through digital technologies), learning and advocacy.

iDE Zambia is now looking for suitable candidates to fill the following vacant positions on the project

1. Project Manager x1

1. Project Manager x 1

Location: Kabwe

Team leader and lead strategist on the pilot in applying iDE infinite tactics on Agtech R&D Supply chain development, Farm Business Advisor Network Creation, Post-Harvest Management & Processing Development and Insight-Driven Solutions for Impact.

Key Responsibilities

R1: Design and Pilot planning

Collaborate with design consultants contracted by WFP in the ideation process to develop prototype PHL innovative business model(s)
Lead in the development of appropriate last mile marketing/ sales strategies informed by the ‘STP’ marketing framework and infinite tactics
Lead the team in developing and testing rural marketing communication strategies for effectively carrying targeted market segments through the AIDA (awareness interest desire action) customer journey
Identify and engage key value chain actors and performance stakeholders (such as suppliers /manufactures of PHL technologies, Ministry of Agriculture, not-for-profit organisation – including complementary projects within iDE Zambia), in reviewing the prototypes for feedback and for buy-in into the pilot / market development process.
Engage identified key value chain market actors to broker critical SMART market performance driven partnerships with agreed roles, responsibilities and deliverables.
Establish SMART collaborations (agreed roles, responsibilities and deliverables /results) with complementary projects within iDE Zambia such as the Nutrition projects, and the agricultural markets projects to leverage activities and resources for augmented results
Develop detailed implementation plan for the pilot, coordinate and drive performance across internal and external partners.
Contribute to training needs assessment and capacity development planning for actors and partners as may be critical for the success of the developed models.

R2: Pilot Implementation and Process Management

Develop  on a micro-basis, key project management and implementation tools such as quarterly work plans and budgets and manage the performance and resource use by the project team
Ensure staff, key actors and partners understand the business models to be piloted and agree with them roles and responsibilities consistent with developed protocols
Provide coordination, operational leadership and tactical guidance to staff and partners for the effective and efficient implementation of planned project activities
Conduct and participate in the delivery of planned training / capacity building initiative to staff, partners and last mile sale agents as may be critical to the success and sustainability of the business model
Collaborate internally with Finance and Admin in managing and tracking financial spend against the approved budget as well as in providing defined administrative and HR functional support services.
Forge wider relationships for creating an enabling and supportive environment for the pilot, supporting advocacy and building iDE Zambia’s reputation and brand

R3:  Strategy review, Quality Assurance, Results Measurement and reporting

Ensure strategies employed in the Pilot implementation are appropriate for the Zambia context and are consistent with the iDE’s Infinite model tactics and MSD approaches.
Closely collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit to develop and deploy the Project Implementation Success Pack.
In collaboration with MEAL, monitor, measure, document performance at partner level and a scheduled share project successes, lessons, challenges and strategic revisions.
Any other duties as assigned that may be deemed critical to the delivery of project goals and overall realisation of iDE Zambia country program objectives.

EDUCATION

• Minimum of a university degree or professional equivalent in either Marketing, Business Administration or Entrepreneurship preferably with good understanding of Market development
• Formal training in the Market System Development approach and project management is preferable

EXPERENCE, SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED

• Good understanding of the smallholder agriculture market with at least 5 years’ working experience in marketing and or developing small businesses, 3 of which should been with the private sector at the management level.
• Should have held a management position for 3 years.
• Knowledge of strategy design and testing, forging of private public partnerships and experience
• People management skills: coaching and mentoring skills, team goal structuring, and performance management skills
• Excellent reporting, presentation and negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently and meet strict deadlines as well as collaboratively with a team
• Class B driving licence – manual vehicles