Agricultural Inputs Specialist, USAID/BHA Market-Based Approaches for Sustainable Livelihoods in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province

Project Overview
The goal of the USAID/BHA Market-Based Approaches for Sustainable Livelihoods in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province Activity is to transition households of IDPs and returnees in Cabo Delgado from food assistance to sustainable livelihoods. The project will partner with private sector companies, already active in Cabo Delgado, to integrate IDPs and returnees into productive value chains, including cashew. The project will support the deployment of key agricultural technologies and social cash transfers to IDPs and host communities to improve livelihoods, using market-based approaches.

Company Profile
Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. 

Purpose of Position
Palladium seeks an Agricultural Inputs Specialist who will be responsible for assisting with linking farmers to input suppliers, and identifying, selecting, and assessing improved value chain input interventions. The Specialist will support the promotion of best practices and lessons learned related to agricultural technologies. This will include supporting commercial R&D interventions for new and improved varieties of selected value chains.

Duration: The Activity is projected for 3 years (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2027)  
Location: Cabo Delgado Province (Project Office in Pemba), Mozambique 
Reports to: Deputy Team Lead

Responsibilities

Design project activities related to increasing access to modern, innovative agricultural technologies for various forms of inputs.Support partnerships with agro-dealers networks and input suppliers and support the promotion of best practices and lessons learned related to agricultural technologies including inoculant, certified seed, drip irrigation, greenhouses, etc.Provide Training of Trainers (ToTs) in agricultural input application and adoption based on the country’s policies.Help leverage partnerships and technology solutions to improve adaptive capacity of internally displaced persons (IDPs).Design and implement interventions to support the trade of existing improved seed varieties to local markets and commercial R&D to develop new and more productive seed varieties that are appropriate in Mozambique.Oversee partnerships with private sector companies aimed at commercializing and promoting improved inputs.Help identify technologies for further development, piloting, and scaling.Increase access to improved seed that supports high-yielding crops and promote improved uniformity of seed systems in the country.Ensure timely project implementation and technical reliability, monitor project activities, and ensure quality of input supply.Perform any other tasks as required by the immediate supervisor.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, economics, business or related fields.Minimum 5 years of relevant technical experience in enhancing agricultural technologies.Demonstrated experience addressing technological and agricultural development issues facing Mozambique.Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, project partners, and other stakeholders.Demonstrated experience in crop inputs, field demonstration on seeds and fertilizers, or agricultural development projects.Prior experience providing technical support on USAID-funded projects, preferably BHA.Mozambican nationality or permanent residency required.Fluency in written and oral English required.Portuguese language proficiency is preferred, as well as languages or dialects spoken in northern Mozambique, such as Makua-Lomwe or dialects of Tsonga and Shona.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.