Position: Agribusiness Specialist

Location: Taiz Governorate, Yemen (with possible travel to project sites in Al-Mawaset and Al-Selw districts)

Sector: FSL

Reporting To: Project Manager

NMO is a registered national NGO with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor No 284 Our mission is to take the lead to empower communities in Yemen through humanitarian response and sustainable development programs in a professional way through effective partnerships NMO started its activity in Yemen since 2012 and has been implementing projects in 5 sectors namely FSL, Education and Child Protection, WASH and Health ,Protection, Shelter and CCCM , and Governance and skill-building

Nahda Makers Organization does not tolerate all forms of abuse such as (exploitation, sexual assault, harassment, bullying, discrimination

Background

The "Integrated Water Resources Management to Enhance Resilience of Agriculture (ERA) and Food Security" project aims to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities in Al-Mawaset and Al-Selw districts of Taiz Governorate by improving water resource management, agricultural productivity, and food security. A key component of the project is to strengthen agricultural value chains, improve market access, and create income-generating opportunities for smallholder farmers and women-headed households.

The donor, UNDP, will conduct a comprehensive socio-economic study to assess the agricultural and business landscape in the target areas. The Agribusiness Specialist, to be hired by NMO, will be responsible for validating the outputs of this study and ensuring its findings and recommendations are reflected in all business and agricultural aspects of the project.

Objective of the Assignment

The Agribusiness Specialist will provide technical leadership to validate the findings of the UNDP-led socio-economic study and integrate its recommendations into the project’s agricultural and business activities. The specialist will focus on strengthening agricultural value chains, improving market access, and promoting income-generating opportunities for smallholder farmers and women-headed households. The specialist will ensure alignment with project goals, national strategies, and donor requirements.

Scope of Work

The Agribusiness Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

1.Validation of UNDP Socio-Economic Study Outputs

• Review and validate the findings, gaps, and recommendations of the UNDP-led socio-economic study related to agriculture and business.
• Collaborate with UNDP and project stakeholders to ensure the study outputs are accurate, relevant, and actionable.

2.Integration of Study Recommendations into Project Activities

• Develop a detailed work plan to integrate the study’s recommendations into the project’s agricultural and business activities.
• Ensure that the project’s interventions in value chain development, market access, and income generation are informed by the study’s findings.

3.Value Chain Development and Market Linkages

• Conduct value chain analyses for selected agricultural products to identify opportunities for value addition, market access, and income generation.
• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen agricultural value chains, including post-harvest handling, processing, and marketing.
• Facilitate linkages between smallholder farmers, women-headed households, and local/regional markets to improve market access and profitability.

4.Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Provide technical support and capacity building to smallholder farmers, women-headed households, and local cooperatives in agribusiness development, including:
• Best practices in crop production, post-harvest management, and value addition.
• Business planning, financial management, and marketing strategies.
• Conduct training workshops and demonstrations to enhance the skills of beneficiaries in agribusiness and income-generating activities.

5.Support for Agricultural Processing Facilities

• Oversee the establishment and operation of agricultural processing facilities to add value to agricultural products.
• Provide technical guidance on the selection of appropriate processing technologies and equipment.
• Ensure the sustainability of processing facilities through capacity building and business planning support.

6.Income Generation and Job Creation

• Identify and promote income-generating opportunities for smallholder farmers and women-headed households, including off-farm and non-farm activities.
• Support the development of microenterprises and small businesses in the agricultural sector.
• Facilitate access to finance and credit for beneficiaries through partnerships with microfinance institutions (MFIs) and banks.

7.Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor the implementation of agribusiness activities and ensure they are aligned with project objectives and timelines.
• Prepare progress reports, including updates on value chain development, market linkages, and income generation activities.
• Document best practices, lessons learned, and success stories for knowledge sharing and replication.

8.Coordination and Collaboration

• Work closely with the Project Manager, Institutional Strengthening Specialist, and other team members to ensure integration of agribusiness activities with broader project interventions.
• Collaborate with government institutions, private sector actors, and local stakeholders to promote sustainable agribusiness development.
• Represent the project in relevant meetings, workshops, and forums related to agribusiness and market development.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

1.Education:

Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in agribusiness, agricultural economics, rural development, or a related field.

2. Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in agribusiness development, value chain analysis, and market linkages.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing income-generating activities for smallholder farmers and women-headed households.
• Strong knowledge of agricultural value chains, post-harvest management, and market access strategies.
• Experience working in conflict-affected or fragile states, preferably in Yemen or similar contexts.

3. Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong facilitation, training, and capacity-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including farmers, private sector actors, and government officials.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English (both written and spoken).
• Strong report-writing and documentation skills.

4. Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to gender equality and social inclusion.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in challenging environments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Deliverables

1.Validation report of the UNDP-led socio-economic study outputs.

2.Detailed work plan for integrating study recommendations into project activities.

3.Value chain analysis reports for selected agricultural products.

4.Training materials and workshop reports for capacity-building activities.

5.Progress reports on agribusiness activities, including income generation and job creation

6.Final report summarizing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.