Organizational Development and Advocacy Adviser

About VSO

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place.

Role overview

VSO – Tanzania has more than 50 years of operations delivering livelihoods projects supporting vulnerable people via promoting of small to medium business enterprise; supporting vocational training and skills development in local trades; and strengthening structures and networks of community-based organisations that are involved in economic development.

The VSO Secure Livelihoods program would like to recruit an Organizational Development and Advocacy adviser. The adviser will work in a project named Commercial agriculture for Smallholder Farmers (CASH) in Zanzibar, Tanzania that aims to contribute to strengthening linking smallholder farmers to markets, in view of increased productivity, competitiveness and income in the horticulture sector in Zanzibar.

The adviser will work closely with the project team and the main goal of the role is to providing technical assistance on organizational development to local partners in order to strengthen their capacity in acquiring an in depth understanding of the horticulture value chain. More specifically, the adviser will:

• Conduct value chain mapping and profiling of horticultural actors in Zanzibar to understand the value actors’ needs.

• Conduct review of the farmer associations organizational structures

• Carryout institutional capacity building exercise using VSO developed tools i.e. Basic Concept for Capacity Development – BCCD and Organizational Capacity Co-production tool.

• Provide technical advice on improved program operations and resolve problems associated with organizational management systems

• Conduct capacity needs assessment for farmer groups and provide technical advice to strengthen their cohesiveness

• Train group leaders in group dynamics and leadership and financial management systems.

• Provide technical assistance in preparation and implementation of advocacy strategy.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

Essential

• Qualified graduate (degree or above) in economics/business administration/ Agri-Business or related subjects with at least 4 years of experience in agricultural development ideally supporting producer groups/ associations

• Knowledge of business practices and agricultural economics

• Knowledge of market systems and operations in relation to agricultural commodities applied to horticulture markets.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private officials and the general public.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working on similar project in developing countries, particularly East Africa

• Experience in value chain development methodologies

• Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit.

• Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information.

• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in order to summarize research and make promotional presentations.

We’ll ask you to commit to 44 weeks to make a sustainable impact through your work. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a local living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. VSO in-country team and the network of other VSO volunteers will also support you throughout your placement. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.

Volunteering with VSO is life changing. You can find out more about volunteering with VSO at:http://bit.ly/1bK8W7k.

HOW TO APPLY:

If you’re interested in applying for this role, please go to the following link to download the job description to read more details about the position and the skills and experience we’re looking for:http://bit.ly/1bJvUut. To submit your application, click on ‘Apply now’ and complete all relevant fields on the online application form.