JOB ADVERTISEMENT

Agrobusiness Specialist For the project

Women’s Economic Empowerment in Rural Areas of Kosovo-WEERA Project

Donor: Austrian Development Agency-ADA

Implemented by: CARE Österreich and CARE International Balkans, Office in Kosovo

Place(s) of work: Prishtina

Contract Duration: 23months

Expected start date: As soon as possible

Job Summary:

CARE International Balkans’ office in Kosovo, in partnership with CARE Österreich is implementing the Women’s Economic Empowerment in Rural Areas of Kosovo-WEERA Project, funded by Austrian Development Agency-ADA. The action that will be implemented by CARE, will contribute to a more equitable and inclusive socioeconomic development in rural areas of Kosovo and enhance economic and social inclusion of Kosovo rural women by improving the competitiveness of their businesses and their civic participation capacity. The project is expected to contribute to the following results:

1. Women led rural businesses are equipped to introduce financially sustainable and environmentally sound solutions and improve their market position, through a competitive financial and technical assistance scheme
2. Women from rural areas are aware of their economic and social rights and provided with capacities and opportunities for active participation in local decision-making processes.
3. Wide recognition of the role of women in rural areas of Kosovo through promotion of project’s best practices and success stories

The project will be implemented in Kosovo, in rural areas of the districts of Pejë/Pec and Gjakovë/Djakovica. It will strengthen entrepreneur rural women leading rural businesses, include male family members in sensitization sessions and representatives of local women’s CSOs in advocacy. Local authorities, public institutions, value chain actors and financial institutions will be included in the promotion of women led agribusiness development and gender equality.

Main tasks and duties of the Agrobusiness Specialist (the list is not exhaustive):

• Provide guidance and technical support on all agro-related issues within the project implementation.
• Assist the Project Manager in entering the local communities and achieving contacts with beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Provide technical advice to the women-led agribusinesses supported by the project, throughout the development of their business plans.
• Lead the selection of agribusiness ideas that will be pre-selected for capacity building and business plan development and participate in the final selection of business plans.
• Monitor the implementation of the granted businesses and ensure the adequate technical expertise required to enhance business operation.
• Develop/compile training materials and deliver trainings in agribusiness field, also in cooperation with externally engaged experts, as per need.

Qualifications and experience:

• University degree (M.A.) in Agronomy, Agro-business or similar fields
• Five years of experience in agricultural and food production sectors
• Proven experience and competence in agribusiness development.
• Proven experience of working with rural communities and rural women in Kosovo.
• Good understanding of the position and challenges of women in agricultural business and of a general position of women in Kosovo rural areas.
• Excellent knowledge and vast experience in value chains in the domain of agriculture and food production/processing
• Good knowledge of the Kosovo food/agricultural market and its demands.
• Readiness for extensive field work

Technical Skills

• Excellent training, presentation, communication and facilitation skills
• Excellent written and oral knowledge of Albanian and English, desirable knowledge of Serbian
• Ability to develop trusted partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks efficiently and effectively and follow up where required
• Excellent command of the basic Microsoft Office programs (excel, word, PowerPoint, outlook, etc.)
• Active driver - category B driving license, with a clean record.

Values & Competencies

High Respect for Diversity and Gender, Integrity(impartiality, fairness, honesty and Truthfulness), Professionalism; Commitment to capacity-building and knowledge transfer to staff & partners; Commitment to teamwork; Commitment to continuous learning; Strong cultural awareness & sensitivity; Commitment to flexibility and creativity when required; Commitment to detailed planning and a well-organized implementation

How to apply:

Please submit a Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae, with a clear indication "Agribusiness Specialist" including names and contact information of three references, to care.kosovo@care.org no later than 20.10.2022. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

CARE International in the Balkans is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability, or socioeconomic status.

CARE has a zero tolerance toward sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse. CARE requires that its employees, volunteers, suppliers, their parent, subsidiary and affiliated entities as well as any subcontractors, will neither use or engage in, nor allow their employees or other persons engaged by them to use or engage in, any: threats of violence, verbal or psychological harassment or abuse, and/or sexual exploitation and abuse