Shelter for Life International (SFL) is a humanitarian organization with more than 30 years of experience in the international humanitarian field. SFL specializes in infrastructure reconstruction, agricultural development, food security and the application of microcredit. An approach that remains culturally sensitive, emphasizes community participation, and uses appropriate technology as an integral part of all SFL projects and programs. SFL's mission is to demonstrate God's love by enabling people to rebuild their communities and restore their lives. For more information, see our website:https://shelter.org

SFL plans to implement a six-year program in Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau to develop and improve the value chain linkages needed to support an integrated regional cashew nut trade network. The proposed program will consider these links in four program components: (1) market infrastructure, (2) financial services, (3) market access and connections and (4) good agricultural practices. The program "Linking infrastructure, finance and cashew nut farms" will create sustainable trade infrastructure, improve access to financial services, organize and train small farmers to increase their production and negotiating capacity and strengthen the capacity of local processors to add value to nuts in the cashew production area in West Africa.

PROFILE:
Reporting to the Market Access Manager. The Cashew Marketing Associations (CMA) Coordination Officer (CMACO) is responsible to work with associations/cooperatives/federations in Senegal and the Gambia to support the development of their strategic plan and activities regarding cashew sector, coordinate planning and execution of marketing activities about raw cashew nut (RCN), facilitate implementation of activities that leads to commercial profit. CMACO will be specifically responsible in increasing sales of RCN through associations/cooperatives, planning, execution of capacity building trainings, coaching, facilitating market linkages and support with technical advice on organizational structure, process improvement, financial management, products and services, sales.
CMACO ensures that associations/cooperatives are engaged in production, post-harvest handling and collective sales of raw cashew nuts (RCN) in a commercial basis. CMACO will facilitates good partnership of associations/cooperatives with government stakeholders, community members, extension service providers, input suppliers, private sectors and other relevant partners in the target districts by strengthening their capacity in organizing collective sales, increasing associations/cooperatives profit and improving the quality of RCN.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Implementation:
- Work with the project team and associations/cooperatives staff to achieve the project outputs/outcomes regarding strengthening associations/cooperatives’ capacity and increasing sales.
- Facilitate capacity-building activities and ensure adequate consultation and participation of associations/cooperatives staff, women and youth in the cashew value chain.
- Develop commercial activities by introducing new products and services, organization of collective sales and facilitate implementation of these activities;
- Facilitate identification of training needs, prepare training materials, and deliver training for trainers (ToT), business plan development and other services to associations/cooperatives management and staff;
- Ensure that the project implemented according to work-plan agreed in MoU.

Technical Expertise:
- Support set up of new associations/cooperatives and strengthen existing ones in all matters connected to cashew sector.
- Support in identifying interested stakeholder to maximize marketing potential and increase sales.
- Work with state agencies in establishing support to associations/cooperatives on registration, standardization and licensing.
- Facilitate market linkages between associations/cooperatives and private sector entities (exporters, buyers, intermediaries, processors, investors).
- Coordinate the activities of the Coaches in Senegal and The Gambia (Planning and quality monitoring of the implementation of planned activities)
- Support the networking of associations in cooperatives working in the various links of the cashew value chain

Capacity Building
- Provides technical support to associations/cooperatives to strengthen technical and managerial skills by coaching and training in best agricultural practices, standardization, market linkages, loan management, financial management, legislation, etc.
- Organizes and coordinates capacity building trainings and workshop for associations/cooperatives staff, beneficiaries, partners, government staff, private sectors on creating partnerships, increasing sales, marketing, quality management, storage management.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Results Dissemination
- Attend relevant meetings, technical working groups, conferences, etc. to share knowledge generated through project activities, and leverage collaboration.
- Contribute to project M&E activities, including data collection and reporting in coordination with the M&E team.
- Support the M&E and Communications teams to develop case studies and success stories from project activities.
- Provide status reports as required by management on weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual basis
- Conduct other duties as may be assigned by the Marketing Access Manager.

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
Education and qualifications
- BSc/MSs in Marketing, Business Development, Agriculture, Rural Development or Economics
- Knowledge of Agriculture Sector and cashew value chain.

Experience
- At least five years of experience in the areas of associations/cooperatives development and strengthening, sales, marketing, business planning & assessment, organizational capacity building of private sector and community based institutions;
- Experience of project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Previous work experience with NGOs and private sector would be a strong asset.

Skills
- Strong communication, interpersonal, community level facilitation and coordination skills
- Computer literacy, good record keeping and report writing
- Strong teamwork skills and the ability to work in a multi partner initiatives
- Budget and financial management, training need assessment and training facilitation
- Willingness to work in rural/marginal areas, ability to work with minimum supervision
- Fluency in French and local languages of Senegal and the Gambia is mandatory; knowledge of English language would be a strong asset. Knowledge of other local languages is advantage.