Job Description
Job Description
The Business Development and Partnerships Assistant supports the Directorate in mobilising Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), private sector off-takers, processors, input suppliers and other key value chain actors behind the Directorate’s rural development and industrialisation programmes. The role helps to originate, structure and manage partnerships that bring finance, inputs, technical support and guaranteed markets to Village Business Units (VBUs), Dairy Business Units and Milk Collection Centres, irrigation schemes, horticulture production and agro processing, so that these enterprises operate profitably and sustainably.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Partnerships with DFIs, NGOs and Value Chain Actors
• Identify, profile and map DFIs, NGOs, development partners, financial institutions, off-takers, processors, input suppliers and other value chain actors whose mandates align with the Directorate’s programmes.
• Support the development and maintenance of partnerships, joint ventures and collaboration agreements that provide finance, inputs, technical assistance and markets to business units.
• Prepare background briefs, partner profiles and engagement notes ahead of meetings with DFIs, NGOs and private sector partners.
• Track funding calls, grant windows and concessional finance opportunities and alert the Manager in good time.
2. Business Development, Proposals and Investment Packaging
• Identify new opportunities in horticulture, smallholder dairy, agro-processing, value addition and agricultural commercialisation in line with the Directorate’s mandate and annual work plan.
• Draft concept notes, funding proposals, business cases, feasibility studies and investment presentations for DFIs, NGOs and investors.
• Support the preparation of viable and bankable business cases for VBUs and Dairy Business Units, and assist business units to meet the documentation requirements of financiers.
• Conduct market research and analyse market trends, prices, buyer requirements and competitor activity to inform partnership and investment decisions.
3. Market Linkages and Offtake
• Link VBUs, Milk Collection Centres and agro-processing units to off-takers, processors and buyers, and support the negotiation of offtake arrangements.
• Ensure offtake documentation and harvest certificates are completed for contracted produce, and maintain records that support input cost recovery.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagements, investment forums, exhibitions, field days and trade fairs that showcase the Directorate’s programmes to partners and buyers.
4. Partnership Management, Monitoring and Reporting
• Maintain an up-to-date partner, investor and opportunity database (pipeline tracker) showing the status of every engagement.
• Monitor the implementation of partnership, finance and offtake agreements against agreed milestones, and flag risks or delays to the Manager.
• Compile partner reports, market intelligence briefs and inputs to the monthly VBU and Dairy Business Unit returns, Board Operations Committee packs and management presentations.
• Keep accurate records of signed agreements, correspondence and partner commitments, and support compliance with partner reporting requirements.
• Promote gender and youth inclusion in partnerships and report on the participation of women and young people in supported value chains.
5. Other Duties
• Perform any other relevant duties as may be assigned by the Business Development and Partnerships Manager.
Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Business Management, Economics, Marketing or a related field.
• At least 2 years’ relevant experience in agribusiness, agricultural value chains, business development, partnerships, development finance or agro processing.
• Working knowledge of agricultural value chains, value addition and contract farming or offtake arrangements.
• Exposure to DFI, NGO or donor-funded programmes, including proposal writing and partner reporting, is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Key Competencies and Attributes
• Strong writing skills for proposals, concept notes, briefs and reports.
• Good analytical, financial and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong attention to detail, good record keeping and commitment to quality.
• Integrity and the ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to work effectively in a team, under pressure and to deadlines, and willingness to travel to rural project sites.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit an application letter clearly indicating the position applied for, together with a detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of certificates, by not later than 12 October 2026 to hrskillacqusition@gmail.com.