Senior National Specialist on Agribusiness Investment
Position Circumstances
- Career Category: Economics, Business Administration, Agriculture, Resources & Environment, Advisor / Individual Consultant
- Schedule:Full-time
- Salary: Negotiable
Location, Timing and Duration
The assignment will be based in the ASPIRE-AT Secretariat office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The length of the assignment is for an initial period of twelve (12) months and could be extended upon the satisfactory performance.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the International Agribusiness Investment Specialist to facilitate provision of agribusiness oriented-investment support to ASPIRE-AT-supported SMEs to increase market exposure and trade promotion to meet potential customers in target international markets and to understand the specific market requirements, dynamics and competition.
- Lead and coordinate bespoke technical investment advice to selected agribusinesses/SMEs on specific modern technologies and equipment, operational processes, supplier management systems, business planning and cash flow management, product standards and certification requirements and compliance for market access.
- Facilitate connections of ASPIRE AT supported agribusinesses/SMEs to centres of industry-leading international knowledge and expertise, including through knowledge exchange visits, training and technical support for groups of agri-businesses in each priority value chain. The aim is to support SMEs/Agribusinesses to establish systematic linkages at the industry level to leading centres of expertise that can support industry competitiveness.
- Under support from the safeguards team of the programme, provides advisory support to the ASPIRE AT Secretariat to ensure the social and environmental sustainability of SME agricultural investment operations are sound and compliant with the SECAP of the IFAD and EIB required standards.
- Facilitate institutional strengthening of agribusiness VC mobilization and brokering activities to build and foster business networks and relations among SMEs and with POs.
- Lead in the production of knowledge products including analytical work and practical tools related to agribusiness/SMEs and value chain development, as well as access to finance for agribusinesses/SMEs.
- Provide private sector development support (SMEs), by facilitating public private platforms, agribusiness incubator and accelerators, aiming at promoting an enabling environment for investment along priority value chains.
- Conduct Analysis on specific agricultural sub-sectors and value chains to understand their dynamics, challenges, and opportunities to inform agribusiness/SME community.
- Coordinate with ASPIRE AT technical team and SME community to identify constraints in selected value chain, as well as opportunities that can be leveraged for agribusiness Investment growth.
- Coordinate with GDA to support and promote agricultural trade and export to China through the provision of technical advice in the SPS export protocol negotiations on specific value chains.
- Support the ASPIRE AT Secretariat and GDA to review existing agribusiness related policy to address agribusiness finance and investment-related policy issues and to advise and contribute to potential formulating of agribusiness policies that promote sustainable financing mechanisms for agribusiness ventures.
- Coordinate with Chamber of Commerce, i.e. AmCham, EuroCham, and other business eco-system partners such as Khmer Enterprise (KE), Techo Start-Up Center, Impact Hub, impact investors, etc., to support SMEs to access investment and business advices.
- Oversees SME investment and financial data collection and analysis as required for implementation of knowledge products, capacity development activities or investment advisory advice related to agribusiness investment;
- Coordination with the Agribusiness Specialist of the ASPIRE AT Secretariat, to provide support to SME in the development and analysis of SME investment proposals in preparation for funding support from the SME bank.
- Supports capacity development and training activities linked to blended finance and agribusiness sector investment;
- Work with the international Agribusiness Investment Specialist in formulating and delivering capacity development programs in the areas of agribusiness and finance to enhance knowledge, skills, and capabilities within the agribusiness SMEs.
- Provides agribusiness investment-oriented technical support to relevant programme technical team of the ASPIRE AT programme.
Expected Profile of Candidates
Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in agriculture, agro-industry, business administration, finance, economics, agricultural economics or a closely related field.
Work History:
- Relevant experience in investing in the agribusiness/SME in Cambodia and/or with financial institutions for 5 years
- At least experience in management and implementation of international projects for 5 years
Skills & Knowledge:
General & Technical Skills
- Previous experience in facilitating and coordination in business brokerage and networking.
- Previous experience in agriculture value chain financing.
- Demonstrated experience working with SMEs, and other actors in value chain.
- Proven experience and strong knowledge the development of investment plan for SMEs, especially in agribusiness.
Soft Skills
- Ability to analyze credit and financial data and prepare reports for relevant stakeholders.
- Ability to perform multitask and under pressure.
- Have good communication skills and time management skills.
