Head of Business Development at Agridrive Limited (4 Openings)

Agridrive Limited is a for profit making social enterprise whose aim is transform African farmers lives through wealth creation by harnessing agribusiness opportunities in Africa. Agridrive specialises in mechanisation service provision, inputs support and agribusiness technical backstopping. It aim to maximize improvements in society and environmental well-being among farmers through commercial agribusiness operations and all it’s profits are used to further this cause. Agridrive Ltd is currently operating in Oyo, Kwara, Ogun, Kogi, Osun, Niger, Delta, Ondo, Ekiti and Abuja and we will be expanding to Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Business Development

Locations: Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa

Summary

• Agridrive Limited is partnering with the dairy industry to improve smallholder dairy farmers’ productivity by increasing their access to improved feed stock for their dairy animals. Through this initiative, Agridrive isintroducing commercial fodder production business models. The target is to increase the average yield of hay and silage to range from 2 to 4 tonnes per ha and ensure a sustainable model where the produced fodder is sold by the Commercial Fodder Producers (CFPs) to Dairy farmers and other livestock farmers. This fodder business initiative will be implemented in Adamawa, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau, with plans for expand to four other States soon. The Sales and Operations Officers are expected to be based in these States but will be reporting to the Abuja Office.
• Agridrive is looking to recruit at least four suitably qualified persons for the position of Head – Business Development for our fodder business to be implemented in Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa. The job requires a qualified individual who has experience in agribusiness management, agronomy, mechanisation, fodder business, input systems, marketing and working with farmers in a commercial environment. Experience working the respective States in desirable.

Overall Purpose
Reporting to the Managing Director, the Head – Business Development is to lead the efficient and efficient provision of mechanisation services to CFPs and other farmers in Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Adamawa. The duties will involve, but are not limited to:

• Providing strategic guidance to the implementation of the initiative.
• Linking with processors, CFPs and structuring business models for sustainable fodder production.
• Engagement with Community, Self Help Groups (SHG), CFPS and processors to determine the needs for fodder and milk business.
• Coordinating and supervising the work of the Sales and Operations Officers.
• Assisting in screening and mobilisation farmers into Commercial Fodder Producers (CFPs).
• Leading in establishing fodder production demonstration farms and teaching the CFPs how to produce and harvest hay and silage for sale to local dairy farmers.
• Coordinating the provision of land preparation (ploughing, harrowing, herbicide application), planting and weed management for fodder and crops farms including harvesting, Silage making, storage and marketing of fodder.
• Working with SHGs to provide training and demonstrating the profitability of the intervention to encourage the CFPs to continue the venture by re-investing profits in fodder production in future years.
• Managing and supervising the fodder production initiative including compiling weekly and monthly report.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in Agribusiness, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Business Management, Marketing or related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience commercial sector providing agribusiness solutions to farmers.
• Hands on experience mechanisation service provisions, agri-inputs management, and public relations. Experience in working in agriculture and fodder business is highly desirable.
• Experience in selling, demonstrating, and specializing in products related to farming and a thorough knowledge of the agricultural industry and sales are both essential for success in this role.
• Experience in using Customer Relations Systems and basic agronomic knowledge and practices

Key Skills & Competencies:

• High levels of negotiations, conflict management, people management and leadership skills.
• Ability to work with different tight schedules and to meet stringent deadlines.
• Innovative, creative, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment
• High level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including ability to build alliances and collaborative relationships with sensitivity to diversity
• Ability to maintain high standards of integrity; establish straightforward, productive relationships; treating individuals with fairness and respect
• Valid driving licence

Application Closing Date
11th October, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications to: [email protected] and clearly indicate on the email subject “Head of Business Development”.