Cooperative Advisor (focus on aquaculture)

Terms of Reference

Cooperative Advisor (focus on aquaculture)

Agriterra supports farmers' organisations in fighting poverty, with advice from experts from the (Dutch) agricultural sector and with finance from the Dutch government. Our opinion is that strong farmers' organisations lead to more democracy, economy growth and a better distribution of income. We focus on economy development and work closely together with the Dutch agribusiness.

Agriterra is organized with a head office in Arnhem, the Netherlands, and has a network of 12 country offices spread over Africa and Asia, employing approximately 170 staff members. In Vietnam, Agriterra was registered as an INGO in 2017 and is currently active in almost 20 provinces all over the country, in the coming time we are expanding in Mekong river delta.

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic national candidate to be Cooperative Advisor, based in Can Tho city (home-based) with frequent travel to the cooperative sites.

Support to agribusiness

The Agribusiness team supports farmers' organisations including cooperatives in increasing their market power. They often lack solid business plans and entrepreneurial skills. Agriterra offers services to these companies to improve this. Connections between cooperatives and other kinds of agribusinesses and the financial sector are made.

Farmer organizations become clients of our team because they need knowledge, skills, contacts and/or other capacities to plan and realize their growth ambitions. A strong, competitive market position is therefore the aim to which the team of cooperative advisors makes its contribution.

This contribution mainly consists of advice and technical aid in the field of entrepreneurship, business planning, financial management and day-to-day management. This way, companies become bankable: ripe for investment.

A further step is that cooperative advisors with Agriterra, working in the region, approach investors, financiers, and business partners to ensure the success of the investment plans.

Position of cooperative advisor

The cooperative advisor supports and advises farmer-led agribusinesses (farmers' cooperatives and farmers-owned/led companies, as well as farmer federations called clients) in sound operational management. The advisor analyses the client's management performance and uses this analysis to contribute actively to develop steps for management improvement and for assisting the client in development and implementation of a sound business strategy and a bankable investment plan. Furthermore, the advisor monitors the client's financial and commercial development monthly.

Activities

• Conduct scoping and assessments of potential cooperative clients
• Screen the business operations of clients with a focus on their financial health and potential business;
• Advise clients on improving commercial and organizational achievements;
• Keep track of the progress of the clients' financial and commercial development and monitor the risks monthly;
• Facilitate investment of private sectors (especially Dutch business) in aquaculture business
• Seek and materialize lobby & advocacy opportunities from the government and/or projects in cooperative clients
• Train and coach employees and leaders of farmer groups and/or cooperatives on a range of topics covering improvement of market linkage/ financial management/ business planning/ governance/ value chain development and other related matters;

Expected results

• Result-driven agribusiness advice featuring tailor-made financial, business and governance support that fulfils Agriterra specific aims while at the same time meeting the demand of the clients.
• Advice on improvement of the clients’ (agribusiness) internal organization, position on the market and growth ambition.
• Increase number of farmer organisations in Agriterra’s portfolio having a potential healthy agri-business, having access to loan capital and/or financial services and/or having a sustainable and effective service provision system to members.
• Client satisfaction, as well as satisfied parties in the business sector, investors, financial institutions, development organizations.  

Qualifications and experience

• Advanced University degree in Aquaculture/ Fisheries sciences
• At least 5 years of demonstrated working experience on aquaculture with project management and implementation in Vietnam
• At least 3 years work experience with farmer organizations/ cooperatives
• Work experience in or with private sector on agri-business is a credit.
• Experienced working and negotiating with Governmental officals and/or donors at all levels
• Understanding of and experience in agricultural projects, advisory services, financial project management, M&E, donor reporting and/or business development. 
• Good oral and written communication skills (English and other languages where relevant). Good computer skills in MS-applications (MS Office). 
• Experience in development proposal writing is an advantage
• Willing to travel to other provinces. 

Competencies 

• Skills: interpersonal, organizing, coaching, and, communication skills. 
• Personal qualities (traits): initiative, problem-solver, team player, decisive, helicopter view, motivator. 
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision

Contract Duration

The selected candidate will be offered initially for one-year employment contract with two months’ probation time and possibility of extension subject to availability of funds. The position gives the selected candidate many opportunities for career development within the organisation if growth of the program will develop as expected.

The closing date for application: 30 Sep 2023

How to Apply: Interested candidates can send your application to [email protected]

Please be advised that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.