Istituto Oikos sta selezionando un/a Assistant Project Manager Expert in market development per l’implementazione del progetto “Development of Climate Change Resistant Agriculture in Nepal”, Nepal. Scadenza per le candidature 11 gennaio 2018
Assistant Project Manager Expert in market development (hired by Istituto Oikos)
PROJECT NUMBER: Project AID 10954
PROJECT: Development of Climate Change Resistant Agriculture in Nepal financed by Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)
DUTY STATION: Kathmandu with frequent visits in the intervention area (Districts of Kavrepalanchok, Sindhuli and Sinduplachok)
DURATION: 5 months
STARTING DATE: February/March 2018
SALARY: to be defined according to qualifications and working experience
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: 11 January 2018
Istituto Oikos is an independent association founded in 1996 in Milan, which operates in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America, to promote the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources as a tool for economic and social development. To this end, it encourages cooperation and partnerships between organizations of the Global North and Global South; it implements training and education programs and supports responsible tourism initiatives (http://www.istituto-oikos.org/).
Istituto Oikos collaborates with public and private entities, both internationally and in Italy.
Description of the project
ASIA, CEAPRED, Istituto OIKOS and Punto.Sud are implementing the project: “Development of Climate Change Resistant Agriculture in Nepal”. This initiative is achieved thanks to the funding of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Overall objective:
to promote a sustainable and environmentally friendly production model in Nepal which can respond to climate change through the cultivation of highly adaptable local varieties and ecotypes.
Specific objectives:
Increase the market share for traditional agricultural products (vegetables and seeds) which conform to the Organic Certification Nepal guidelines through a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) which stimulates demand and raises market awareness
Propagate conservative, sustainable agricultural practices for the production of traditional agricultural produce which have a low environmental impact in terms of their carbon footprint and water consumption
The initiative stems from the awareness that agriculture is the basis for Nepal’s economic recovery, and fundamental for overcoming the emergency situation caused by the 2015 earthquake. A total of 80% of the population lives off non-irrigated subsistence farming, which is often carried out using traditional methods.
The project is primarily aimed at strengthening the system for sustainable agricultural production with an inclusive model that favours food security and is focused on the market. The project intends to produce more food of a higher quality while using fewer natural resources and synthetic chemicals, and also to increase producers’ incomes and set up a certified production system.
The initiative supports Nepal’s development policies through actions aimed at promoting the following: the private sector; entrepreneurship with a particular focus on women; market access, and domestic trade. The aims of the project also include: 1) improving food security and agricultural development; 2) preventing and mitigating the effects of climate change by adopting an effective strategy for adaptation.
The certification system promoted by the project anticipates the widespread participation of producers in an inclusive business mechanism where transparency is adopted and recognised as the formula for market success. The added value that buyers assign to products certified in such a way is therefore based on the positive image that a participatory production system can represent on the market, as it takes on the environmental and production chain benefits that producers are able to implement through ethical methods.
General duties:
under the supervision of Oikos Programme Manager and in collaboration with partner organization, the Assistant Project Manager, expert in marketing, will be in charge of developing a marketing strategy for horticultural and fruit products identified by the project.
In addition he/she will be in charge of exploring marketing and commercialization opportunities for the above mentioned products and for herbal plants and seeds resulting in signature of commercial agreements.
Key responsibilities:
Identify marketing strategies for selected agricultural products and develop a marketing plan
Collaborate in the development of the products brand, its registration, definition of its guidelines and promotion
Support agricultural cooperatives in the development of commercial relationships and agreements in the framework of medicinal plants and seeds production
Assist in the realization of communication plan and of promotional and communication material
Support overall project implementation in coordination with other project partners
Participate to programme coordination meetings organized by the leading agency and partners.
Prepare monthly technical reports on project implementation, according to the required internal procedures.
Skills and requirements:
University or master degree in economics, marketing , business administration or similar
At least 3 to 5 years of previous work experience in the marketing sector
Proven expertise in social businesses, artisanal businesses or agro and green businesses in developing countries
Proficiency in English.
Knowledge of word processing packages and spreadsheets.
Familiarity with the concept of indicators and monitoring.
Able to base him/herself in remote areas.
Added values:
Technical expertise in agriculture commodities
Knowledge of organic agriculture principles and certification processes
Previous experience in Nepal or Asia.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: 11 January 2018
HOW TO APPLY: Interested candidates should send their CV and a letter of motivation (max 1 page), both written in English, and the details of 3 people for professional references to selezione@istituto-oikos.org, indicating Vacancy Notice ASSPM/NP/2017 in the object of the mail.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
