Senior Manager – Agriculture and Digital Technology

About us

MicroSave Consulting (MSC) is a boutique consulting firm that has, for 25 years, pushed the world towards meaningful financial, social, and economic inclusion. With over 300 staff of different nationalities and varied expertise, we are proud to be working in over 68 developing countries. We partner with participants in financial services, enterprise, agriculture and health ecosystems to achieve sustainable performance improvements and unlock enduring value. Our clients include governments, donors, private sector corporations, and local businesses. We can help you seize the digital opportunity, address the mass market, and future-proof your operations.

Job Description

Are you an Agriculture Specialist who seeks a new challenge? Are you excited by the potential of the digital revolution for agriculture? Do you want to catalyze change for good? Can you collaborate with a team of experts to deliver high-quality and impactful consulting services? We seek an Agriculture Specialist for MSC’s West and Central Africa team who is excited about the digital revolution in agriculture and can collaborate with a team of experts to deliver high-quality and impactful consulting services. In this role, you will work with stakeholders in the agriculture sector to design and implement sustainable and digital agriculture projects. You will use your expertise to develop innovative solutions that improve farmers’ livelihoods and the region’s economy. This role will provide you with access to a team of agriculture experts and collaboration across the organization, so you can make a difference in agriculture and improve the lives of farmers and stakeholders in West and Central Africa.

Interested! Discover more!

Essential Skills

The ideal candidate must possess excellent business development and proposal-winning skills. They should have a proven track record of developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients, partners, and donors in West Africa. The candidate must have extensive technical assistance experience in development projects in the agricultural sector. Additionally, they should have a passion for inclusive finance and agriculture, sharp business acumen, and strong business analysis skills. Fluency in English is a must-have requirement.

Description

The Senior Manager – Agriculture and Digital Technology will have responsibilities that will include the following:

• Good understanding of agriculture and digital technology and emerging and innovative agribusiness models, including AgTechs and data-backed and automated value-chain finance models transforming agriculture and allied services,
• Technical knowledge and expertise in several agriculture value chain development, climate change, digital financial services, AgTech or FinTech, and youth empowerment,
• Analytical abilities to analyze government policies, programs, and implementation strategies of projects in agriculture,
• Understanding of data analytics and digital technologies,
• Strong analytical abilities, and quantitative and qualitative research skills,
• Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines,
• Excellent communication skills, writing skills, and presentation skills,
• Demonstrated team management expertise and interpersonal skills,
• Previous experience in consulting or research will be an advantage,
• Experience in business development, writing business proposals and concept papers.

Specific responsibilities will include the following:

• Build a business plan for the agriculture activity as the lead Specialist,
• Develop and submit proposals to generate business, particularly for the West and Central Africa markets, in collaboration with MSC domains across Asia and Africa,
• Conduct landscape assessments of key stakeholders in agriculture,
• Lead delivery of technical assistance to clients while ensuring high quality and strict adherence to timelines,
• Contribute to organizational development by being a team player, and upholding organizational culture, values, and reputation,
• Develop and publish knowledge resources by identifying key issues, lessons learned, and best practices in programs and projects undertaken with different clients and geographies,
• Openness and willingness to travel and spend over 50% of the time on on-site assignments.

Detailed Responsibilities

Business Development

• Conceptualize programs and scope funding from international development agencies, multilaterals, and governments.
• Lead concept and proposal writing for projects on diverse opportunities to enhance agricultural development through digitization, inclusive banking, and financial services approaches.
• Relationship management with key stakeholders, including funding partners, clients, policymakers, and government agencies.
• Author or co-author thematic publications to be developed from field experiences.
• Actively engage in marketing activities and participate in digital media dialogues.
• Lead and support technical design and delivery of projects
• Develop, lead, and deliver technical assistance on agricultural sector development projects.
• Manage training and capacity building of participants from various sectors.

Human Capital Development

• Conduct “Quality of Delivery”/Feedback assessments with team members after assignment execution in line with the quality control guidelines
• Assist and support development of other staff by providing guidance and advice where appropriate.
• Share knowledge with staff and create opportunities for mentoring.

Business Execution

• Participate in project set-up and de-briefing meetings.
• Lead and deliver on projects and assignments.
• Execute projects with the utmost diligence, attention to detail, and focus on quality.
• Present consulting project outputs to senior management of clients, policymakers, and government ministries.
• Review reports and presentations developed by practice group team members.
• Lead report writing and data analysis.
• Develop linkages with key staff of the client to gather project-related information.
• Review training courses delivered, the curriculum developed, and technical assistance provided to clients.
• Contribute to the development of MSC’s toolkits and other publications.

Professional Development

• Assist and support the development of other staff by providing guidance and advice where appropriate.
• Build internal capacities of the staff on agricultural development, value chain digitization, digital technology, and emerging and innovative agribusiness.
• Take ownership of self-development by acquiring skills and knowledge to add value to the organization.

Requirements

Qualification

MBA in Development, Agriculture, or equivalent/other relevant professional qualifications in line with areas of specialization.