Business Development Manager at Heifer International

Job description

The Business Development Manager under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, will provide overall leadership in designing and implementing appropriate interventions within the project with the objective of developing the 23 producer organizations in the Kenya Market Led Dairy Supply Chain Project into strong and profitable farmer business organizations and entities. This will be achieved through capacity building of the organizations in business planning and financial management, development of management structures and systems, the provision of business advisory services and the development of key marketing and financial linkages in financial services, input services and strong partnerships with both public and private organizations. The interventions to be led by the Business Development Manager seek to increase the overall level of competitiveness of the dairy production business within the farmer producer organizations.

Essential Character Traits

Intellectual curious, professional judgement, effective communicator, accountable, values-committed pragmatic, inspirational and Team player.

Responsibilities & Deliverables

• Business Development (30%)
• Undertake capacity assessment and due diligence for farmer business organizations.
• Support producer organizations to develop business plans, strategic plans and financial and human resource management systems.
• Capacity Building of Farmer business organizations through training in business, financial management and governance.
• Analysis and conducting of feasibility to assess and develop new business, investment and financing options.
• Provide advice and assistance in the establishment and maintenance of business and financial records keeping systems.
• Develop business models clearly showing the value proposition of Hubs to members and how it will leverage the opportunities in the production and market environment.

Deliverables

• 23 producer organizations assessed within the first year of the project implementation and 23 capacity assessment reports developed.
• Technical assistance and mentorship provided to the 23 farmer-based on a quarterly basis s through research, advisory and visits and training sessions.
• Facilitate development of business planning guidelines and the development of business plans, strategic plans and financial management systems for 23 producer organizations by the end of the first year of the project.
• Capacity Building plans developed for all 23 farmer producer organizations by the end of the first year and their implementation updated and reviewed on a quarterly basis.
• Feasibility and analysis conducted to identify business and investment opportunities for 23 producer organizations and at least 3 new opportunities explored per year per organization.
• 23 producer organizations with established financial and business records systems that provide management with the key information to govern business operations by the end of the second year of project implementation.
• 23 producer organizations with established and documented business models with clear value proposition within the first 18 months of the project.
• 23 producer organizations achieve the targeted growth in hub member mobilization numbers based project and hub membership targets by the end of the second year of the project implementation.
• Cooperative Governance and Management (30%).
• Provide support in establishing and operating market structures (e.g., collection centers, market centers, processing facilities, chilling centers, etc.)
• Facilitate the transformation of producer organizations (POs) into formal dairy collective enterprises that will stimulate dairy production
• Assist to develop guidelines for the formation, management and governance of cooperatives/Hubs/Producer groups
• Coordinate and build up linkages and networks with the appropriate government Cooperative Office and other organizations, as required

Deliverables

• 23 producer organizations with functional market structures for milk aggregation by the second year of project implementation.
• All the producer organizations operating as dairy collective producer organization and cooperatives by the end of the project.
• The project has strong linkages with the government cooperative offices in all the 5 counties and all the 23 producer organizations are compliant with cooperative guidelines and formal requirements by the end of the second year of project implementation.
• Capacity development (30%)
• Design, develop and deliver business management training packages/modules, in liaison with other relevant project staff
  Identify and carry out a comprehensive capacity assessment of the potential farmer producer organizations for the project to partner with and thereafter develop and deliver a capacity building programme
• Develop capacity building and operationalization of the business and marketing plans of the producer organizations/Hubs through joint planning, monitoring.
• Facilitate the capacity building of the Cooperative/union governing board and management in effective and efficient decision making, financial management, human resource management, operation and strategic planning and implementation, conflict management and democratic governance
• Support the Producer Organizations to put in place and implement efficient financial management systems and build their capacity in all aspects of financial management.
• Collaboration towards a common goal (10%)
• With the Enterprise Development manager, develop the business hubs of the cooperatives with backward and forward linkages into the total value chain
• Incorporate within the framework of the project, potential ‘win-win’ business opportunities which can attract different value chain actors to engage in transactional relationships with the farmer producer organizations and develop a platform for the achieving these partnerships.
• Work in close coordination with the relevant project staff on quality assurance and control for all livestock-based products for processing, packaging, marketing, and distribution.

Deliverables

The 23 producer organizations develop a strong platform for engaging with the value chain actors in transactional relationships.
Close coordination and collaboration with Country Office Enterprise Development Manager, Training Manager and Animal Wellbeing Manager to deliver quality trainings through the annual capacity building plans.
The 23 Producer Organizations achieve and maintain high quality standards for their produce including milk and have effective systems for daily quality monitoring.

Required Skills

Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Strong business skills, leadership, strategic and innovation skills.
• Strong communication skills in both English, Swahili, and other local languages of the cluster area.
• String business skills development, strategic planning and planning for farmer business organizations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain development that reaches women, youth, the poor, and underprivileged.
• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions and design catalytic activities within the value chain (e.g. the concept of quality-based pricing).
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies aimed at providing institutional capacity building to key partner institutions with a view to build a more efficient, competitive and sustainable livestock industry. This requirement is in line with the need to have in-built ‘exit strategies’ within the project as a measure of ensuring that there are self-sustaining businesses by project end.
• Knowledge of and experience in setting up cottage industries for processing locally branded dairy products (e.g. cheese, butter, fortified milk and yoghurt among others), poultry (eggs and meat) and vegetables for onward supply to niche and markets as well as implementing supply promotion/stimulation strategies in the context of the sub-sectors.
• Experience in facilitating establishment of strategic alliances and joint ventures with local and foreign processors.
• Knowledge and experience in strategic business planning and business analysis.
• Demonstrate ability to undertake market assessments and use the information generated to support the producer organizations to leverage these opportunities to remain competitive.
• Knowledge of equity financing (e.g. venture capital and/or private equity investing).
• Strong computer literacy, preferably with Microsoft Office Suite.

Essential Job Functions And Physical Demands

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to individuals diplomatically and tactfully.
• Ability to integrate financial services within the value chains with the view to foster trust and build strong relationship between chain actors and financial service providers.
• Must be courteous, honest and of high integrity, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills with ability to relate to individuals and groups diplomatically and tactfully.
• Self-starter and self-motivator with the ability to work in a multicultural and multisector setting.
• Must be a team player and have the ability to execute and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to follow directions and independently complete assigned tasks (written or verbal).
• Ability to work a varied schedule to include early mornings, weekends and some evenings.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms) floor to waist.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Required Experience

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business management, Rural Development, Animal production with post graduate diploma or experience in Business management or a related field is required
• Experience implementing activities in large, complex projects in challenging environments.
• Minimum 5 years field and technical experience working on agribusiness development projects.
• Significant experience in building public/private partnerships, preferably in the dairy sector.