Value Chain Officer

About PARC:

PARC is a national developmental organization that strives to develop the agricultural sector, strengthen the resilience of farmers, reach out to the poor and marginalized groups and their CBO’s, mobilize and develop the capabilities of rural people to enable them to control their resources, through the work of a distinguished professional teams and a loyal volunteer. This has been accomplished through creative programs and transparent management and through technical practices to contribute to the establishment of a free and democratic Palestinian society with the values of social justice.

Job purpose summary:

The Value Chain Officer “VCO” will support the project “Resilience and Economic Growth in Gaza Strip in the Agricultural Sector”, funded by the AECID and EU. The project aims to improve the livelihoods of youth and farmers in the Gaza Strip through enhancing their chances to access to market in Gaza. The Value Chain Officer will provide effective support in promoting high-value crop value chains by interventions throughout the value chain for perennials and annuals. In addition, he will provide effective support in engaging producers, seed enterprises, privet sector and input suppliers to narrow the yield gap by demonstrating and promoting the adoption of best practices.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly

Job Responsibilities:

As part of the project, the VCO will help project management in developing and producing value chain analyses for various sectors.

Under the supervision of the program manager, the VCO will be directly involved in implementing all activities of the corresponding value chain analysis, with responsibilities that include but are not limited to:

• At the value chain level, develop tools and procedures for sector-specific interventions.
• Examine the value chains that have been discovered and identify the important primary chain actors, their key functions, relationships, significant operational difficulties, possible interventions, and the actors' contributions to price and business model changes along the value chain.
• Examine the social and environmental aspects of each value chain.
• Examine the difficulties encountered in providing/obtaining facilitative services;
• Identify potential hazards and opportunities along the VC.
• Determine the potential for enhanced technology to reduce pollution along the VC.
• Gender and power relations, as well as suggestions for ways to improve women's benefits.
• Examine market size, sales volume, and market integration/segmentation within the targeted VCs.
• Create a network of business service providers, domestic and worldwide markets, and so on.
• Evaluate current environmental trends in various subsectors, as well as government rules and regulatory mechanisms.
• Identify policy concerns that have an impact on the selected value chains.
• Create market structures, infrastructure, and a conducive environment
• Provide a framework for developing value chain development strategies, including its design, implementation, monitoring, risk management, and evaluation.
• Supervise and monitor selected income-generating activities and social businesses by providing instruments to ensure that information is incorporated in the production phases and how it should be processed and used for decision-making.
• Write reports on the development of value chain and assemble case studies as needed.
• Act as the technical lead for all value chain and marketing efforts, including developing, implementing, and monitoring.
• Coordinate and interact with partners and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in linked value chains to maximize project resources, reduce duplication, and ensure complementarities.
• Provide farmers and producer organizations with technical assistance and capacity-building training.
• Keep track of the project's development at all stages (project selection, designing, planning and implementation).
• For each value chain component, prepare detailed work plans and status reports.
• Collaborate with the technical team to map the value chain, which includes the major actors, product flow, infrastructure, financial institutions, and all supporting entities.
• Conduct a value chain evaluation to identify gaps and make recommendations on how to improve and maximize the impact of the selected value chains.
• Provide technical assistance in the creation of agro-based inputs cooperatives or producer groups.
• Create and implement capacity-building activities in agribusiness, value chain, and marketing development.
• Gather the data and information needed to conduct effective monitoring and evaluation of value chain and marketing operations.
• Oversee the execution of value chain operations, with an emphasis on agricultural improvement, productivity processing, and strengthening the input-output market.
• Help construct a concept note and project proposal on food security and livelihoods, as well as value chain and marketing activities.
• Any other activities, responsibilities, or particular assignments assigned by the programs manager

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• In-depth understanding of the agricultural sector's stakeholders
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and networking skills
• Extensive experience establishing and implementing effective strategies, business plans, and budget management
• Demonstrated ability to form successful relationships with a variety of partners
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural setting
• Excellent command of the English language
• Excellent knowledge of computer programs with experience in statistical programs or other related software (preferred).
• Familiarity with the application of ICT in value chains
• The ability to unite farmers into business groups, including market connections.
• Adhere to organizational policies and procedures, respect organizational principles at all times, and maintain organizational confidentiality.
• Demonstrate the ability to form and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with government officials, community organizations, and other stakeholders.

Required Academic Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor degree in business administration or a relevant field. (or equivalent combination of formal training and experience e.g. in marketing, economics, management, business development etc.). An MBA, community development, gender mainstreaming, with an emphasis on economic empowerment would be added assets.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in projects on livelihood diversification, value chain, rural business development and agricultural marketing
• Excellent knowledge of the agriculture sector in the Gaza Strip.
• Good knowledge of the context of vulnerable areas in Gaza Strip;
• Good knowledge of potential market linkages; (exploring marketing channels, facilitating linkages between market actors).
• Understanding of financing options for business start-ups and business expansions.
• Working in development with special emphasis on socio-economic empowerment issues with evidence, scalability and sustainability.

Technical Skills Required for the Job

• Fluency in Arabic and English
• Ability and commitment to work and produce results with minimum supervision
• Ability to work under pressure
• Requires extensive written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly attentive to detail in order to maintain accurate records
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and other administrative and technical documents;
• Good communication, presentation and facilitation skills;
• Excellent professional knowledge of MS Office

Only applicants who have the required qualities, experience, and skills will be considered. Interested applicants must include (a) A resume (in English) and (b) a cover letter explaining their suitability for the position (in English)

Please submit your application to http://www.pal-arc.org/jobs to the attention of the HR Department no later than 25 October 2021 and include the job title (Value Chain Officer) in the subject line and cover letter.

Applications received after this date or that do not meet the qualifications above will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the written test.