Senior Advisor Rural Economic Development

• Type: Job
• Location: Bamako, Mali
• Organisation: SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
  The rural society in Mali is involved in two important dynamics: political decentralisation, wherein the central state transfers competences to local governments, and liberalisation, wherein the private sector, including farmer's organisations, take over economic functions of the central state. Rain fed agriculture and livestock keeping remain for the moment the main sources of revenues, although gold precedes cotton (2) and livestock (3) as the main sources of export revenues. Agro-climatic conditions and markets vary considerably and influence food security and income generating severely, explaining why it's important for rural households to make balanced choices of economic activities & market chains. The decentralisation process, crucial for adequate basic services delivery and investment in socio-economic activities, is progressing slowly, but certainly; most competences and financial resources are not yet transferred to local governments. The Netherlands Development Organisation SNV is working in 33 developing countries. Its work emphasises on poverty reduction through two key impact areas: "Sustainable and Equitable Production, Income and Employment" (PIE), as well as "Effective, Efficient and Increased Access to and Delivery of Basic Services" (BASE). Governance is an important cross-cutting theme. Sustainability, gender equity and social inclusion are key elements of good governance. SNV contributes to poverty reduction by providing capacity strengthening services to partner organisations in order to improve their performance, so they can better make their own deliberate choices, deliver appropriate services to their members and defend the interests of poor people. In the PIE impact area, SNV/Mali is supporting the development of three agricultural sectors: 'cotton', 'livestock/pastoralism' and 'oil seeds'. SNV stimulates value chain development for products of different farming systems, with a focus on improving access to markets for small holder farmers and livestock keepers, on sustainable natural resource management and on better supply of socio-economic services of rural households. SNV seeks to improve the functioning of farmers' organisations and rural service deliverers, to stimulate farmer-induced economic projects and to develop alternative chains (for cotton and other farm products). In current agricultural reorganisation, capacity development of farmers (in analysis, negotiation) is important for securing the revenues and services, which especially the cotton sector has delivered for a long time. SNV tries to influence agricultural policies, as well as legislative environment in alliance with national stakeholders. SNV/Mali consists of four regional teams of advisers based in Bamako (urban district), in Dioïla (with a branch in Sikasso), Koulikoro and Gao. It has a national team based in Bamako. The teams collaborate with different types of partners at national and local levels: civil society organisations, national and local farmers' organisations, rural small-medium enterprises, micro-finance institutions, inter-professional associations, municipalities, public services, as well as development organisations and donors and regional institutions in West Africa. The advisor participates in the rural economic development program in the cotton basin of Mali. He/she also assists in the development of rural development activities at national level. He/she reports to the National Portfolio coordinator, who is based in Bamako.
• Closing Date: 20-May-2008
• Description:
  - Contribute to the development and implementation the SNV strategy of rural economic development, with special attention to the cotton area of Mali. - Provide advice and support to rural organisations (livestock and cotton farmers' organisations and service deliverers) and their umbrella organisations in order to professionalise their functioning: set-up of economic projects, business planning, policy development as well as elaboration of internal strategy, monitoring-evaluation and information mechanisms. - Elaborate and implement trajectories for capacity building in market chain development (cotton, livestock and other farm products), in service delivery for sustainable production and influencing national policies for agriculture and land tenure. - Develop cross-border (exchange) programs with partners and SNV colleagues in West-African countries. - Facilitate contacts between farmers' organisations, service deliverers, commercial and financial partners, for joint projects and/or resource mobilisation. - Positioning and development of alliances and partnerships for rural economic development with other relevant stakeholders, including donor agencies for resource mobilization. - Support other SNV advisors in the development of competencies and skills in order to provide the above mentioned services to partners in an effective and efficient way. - Contribute actively to the development and sharing of knowledge on rural economic development as an active member of internal and external expertise networks.
• Applicant Requirements:
  Education: Master degree in Agro-economy, Agronomy or equivalent. Work experience: 10 years of relevant working experience, with at least 5 years in rural areas of Africa. Proven experience in analysis of agricultural sectors (preferably cotton and livestock), value chains and/or land tenure issues. She/he should have proven track record in capacity building through providing advisory services and process facilitating, having demonstrated competences in advising farmers' and other rural organisations in improving access to markets and rural services and in influencing of agricultural policies. Knowledge: Strong (state of the art) knowledge of farming systems, land tenure and value chain analysis. Knowledge of rural economic development and relevant private sector development methodologies. Knowledge of gender and social inclusion concepts. Skills: Team player with networking abilities at the national and regional levels, combined with result orientation. Strong intercultural skills and coaching skills. Language: Speak and write fluently in French (working language in Mali) and in English (communication language within SNV-worldwide). Other: Computer skills and ability to work in a challenging and dynamic context. Affinity with farmers' organisations and the private sector in rural areas. Duty station Bamako, the capital of Mali. It has 1 million inhabitants. Medical services: reasonable to good. Educational services: Good primary and secondary schools (French school and American international school); a (small) Dutch school (Dutch language and cultural lessons). Security: Good. Accessibility: Good, daily flights to Europe, telephone and inter-connections are good (VSAT installation). Salary Scale 11: minimum EURO 2795,02 - maximum EURO4294,82 Euro gross per month (hypo tax will be deducted) depending on relevant working experience, excluding attractive secondary conditions and individual allowances. Contract period: Three (3) years. Starting date: August 1st, 2008
• Application instructions:
  You can apply by sending your application (CV and cover letter in English) to: Mr Alidji Toure (atoure@snvworld.org) under reference number ML 1293 until the 20th of May 2008.
• Contact Person: Mr Alidji Toure atoure@snvworld.org
• More information about this Job...

Dev-Zone Opportunity ID No. 10443     Hits: 4