Lead, Agrifoods Systems - WAEMU

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Entrepreneurship Development, the Lead, Agrifoods Systems will support the building of impactful country programs by setting direction and engaging partners throughout program design and implementation of the WAEMU Roadmap, WAEMU One Plan & Agrifood priorities within the WAEMU Roadmap. S/he will provide expertise to identify constraints that prevent agrifoods systems from functioning effectively at the country level and incorporating the agricultural sector’s needs into country strategies.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Provide agricultural sector expertise to support the Foundation country teams in the design and management of agricultural and Agri-finance programs.

• Identify challenges and opportunities in the agri-food systems to drive job growth.

• Collaborate with country teams and other team members in the development or implementation of new programs, including co-creation of programs and due diligence practices.

• Communicate progress and learnings from projects to the Foundation colleagues and the wider development community.

• Collaborate with the program and country teams to leverage synergies across programs, platforms and across geographies.

• Manage current programs, distilling learnings for the Foundation staff and country teams.

• Provide perspective and expertise on emerging issues and trends in the agricultural and Agri-finance sector, including climate change.

• Contribute insights to the Foundation’s thought leadership on youth employment in Africa.

• Lead and supervise teams of colleagues and/or junior experts by providing coaching and support necessary for success and growth.

• Identify and help overcome challenges and other barriers to team effectiveness.

• Build relationships with partner organizations, communities of practice, and global stakeholders.

• Represent the Foundation and collaborate with key internal and external audiences.

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Finance, Business, Agricultural Economics and/or Financial Inclusion.

• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant experience in financing agricultural companies and farmers is required.

• Minimum 5 years of leadership and management experience.

• Excellent project management skills, including multi-stakeholder projects.

• Experience working in commercial agricultural companies operational in Africa, West Africa, or WAEMU.

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of the role of financial inclusion in economic growth and development, particularly in Africa, and as it relates to smallholder farmers.

• Understands market and systemic challenges to financial inclusion for rural and agricultural economics in Africa and best practices for addressing them.

• Experience and understanding in a variety of value chains (cash and food crops), the small businesses and SMEs along the value chain, and supply chain / logistics in the agri-food system.

• Understanding of the role of agri-food and rural SMEs in economic transformation and job creation for youth.

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of agricultural markets in Africa and the systemic challenges leading to stagnant growth.

• Demonstrates strong analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and contribute as a thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy development.

• Demonstrates strong budgeting skills with the ability to manage a large portfolio of assets.

• Command of quantitative and qualitative business analytics.

• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.

• Proven excellence in verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures and to distill complex information and data into accessible conversation and written pieces.

• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.

• You have a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.

Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.

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