The livestock team within the Agriculture Development Program endeavors to reverse market failures within the livestock sector in order that all livestock keepers within Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia will be served by functioning markets enabled by committed Governments. In collaboration with the wider AgDev team and internal business partners, the Senior Program Officer will lead our partnerships with the private sector within our Animal Health and Animal Production (genetics, reproduction, feed) sub-initiatives.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the causes that hinder private sector from serving the small holder farmers and poor livestock keepers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia
- In collaboration with the rest of the team, landscape and identify key systems and capacity needs required to attract and enable businesses to serve our focus customer segments
- Establish, maintain and nurture an effective network of private sector players in the Animal health, animal genetics, animal reproduction, feed and food processing sectors who have business aspirations in SSA and SA (beyond CSR efforts)
- Develop an understanding of the preconditions for private sector to enter and serve bottom of the pyramid customer segments in livestock within the low and middle income countries. Identify transferable strategies and tactics for SSA and SA
- Partner closely with Innovative Financing/ Blended Financing and PRI teams to develop optimal partnership to attract and catalyze the right private sector partners to drive programmatic objectives.
- In partnership with the wider team, keep abreast of Investment organizations’ efforts (e.g. IFC, CDC, AgDevCo) and investments primarily focused on private sector for livestock.
- Take responsibility for managing the existing portfolio of private sector partnerships and for developing further the portfolio to achieve our program objectives
- Become an expert resource for private sector partnerships within AgDev and support other efforts as needed.
- Represent the Foundation in livestock related private sector fora.
- This role is responsible for high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications.
Skills/Experience:
- Veterinarian, Animal Scientist, Livestock production specialist with knowledge of businesses in the livestock sector, Ideally with an MBA.
- 12+ years of experience in private sector with at least 5 years related to Livestock.
- Deep familiarity with evidence on issues and constraints for private sector to work in developing countries, especially in sub Saharan Africa and South Asia.
- Extensive experience living/working in a low-income country context, with 5+ years in direct management and delivery of livestock related business.
- Experience in Business Development, Strategic Alliances or P&L in a livestock related business, ideally in Africa or South Asia.
- Experience in interacting with business leaders at senior levels and have the gravitas to command respect.
- Good knowledge of livestock industries with a comprehensive network in at least one sector (Animal Health, Genetics, Animal Nutrition).
- A ‘can do’ attitude with a mindset that guides and motivates the team to explore new approaches and partners and take risks that can potentially accelerate our pathway to improve lives of small holder farmers.
- Intellectual quickness, curiosity, discipline, resourcefulness and resilience.
- Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated passion for the Foundation’s values with commitment to deliver results against the Foundation’s mission.
- Highest levels of personal and professional integrity, along with a sense of humor
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to convey complex situations in a clear and concise manner with a broad and diverse audience.
- Language skills beyond English, especially those relevant to Africa and South Asia is a plus.
- Willing to travel nationally and internationally (30%)
Additional Information:
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Nov 25 2017
Active Until:
Dec 25 2017
Hiring Organization:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
industry:
Nonprofit