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Program Officer – Post-Harvest Management and Delivery (REGAIN)

The Position

Program Officer – Post-Harvest Management and Delivery REGAIN Job Reference: PO/PHM/03/2025

The Program Officer – Post-Harvest Management and Delivery (RE-GAIN) will offer extension services, training and support to farmers that focus on use of climate-resilient Food Loss – Reduction Solutions (FL-RS) interventions and achieve improved market linkages between agri-value chain actors and ensure that smallholder farmers’ harvest is sold through structured market linkages.

The ideal candidate will work closely with the RE-GAIN technical team and AGRA’s in-country and regional partners to identify appropriate methods and content for training extension service providers in the RE-GAIN focal countries, design targeted studies and implement frameworks to support the increased utilization of postharvest management technologies and promote extension services delivery. Additionally, the role will provide technical backstopping in the implementation of a high-impact market systems program and provide technical assistance for system actors like government entities, the private sector, and non-profit organizations specializing in postharvest management, specifically and strengthening of agricultural value chains and systems, in general. He/she will support the PMU and AGRA teams in understanding the business and economics of market anchor companies such as agro-processors in the postharvest management processes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Mainstream extension-related activities in investments made on the RE-GAIN Program across all the seven participating countries.
• Provide technical oversight and technical troubleshooting to investment and interventions implementation and scaling of postharvest management technologies on the RE-GAIN program.
• Develop and implement market-driven action plans for agro-processing, for all RE-GAIN components, including technical assistance, capacity building, technology transfer, quality improvement, product development, certification, branding, and marketing.
• Identify priority postharvest management opportunities and challenges that could be addressed through Market collaboration, Institutional market promotion, and Government Collaboration.
• Develop partnerships with research organizations and non-state actors (both local and international) on postharvest loss reduction systems.
• Contribute to capacity building of national institutions and local partners in the delivery of technologies to enable investments in FL-RS.
• Work with partners, and local leadership to engage with the policy makers to strengthen agro-suppliers and manufacturers of Postharvest Management technologies to expand opportunities for job creation and scaling of postharvest loss reduction.
• Develop context-specific and cross-cutting extension materials on postharvest loss reduction and climate advisories for the harvest stages of value chain management.
• Mainstream interventions that attract and enhance the participation of the youth in agriculture and agricultural enterprises in the postharvest management processes specifically and in AGRA’s program in general.
• Identify and innovate approaches that help with integrating interventions that enhance the participation of youth in Postharvest agri-business services
• Identify effective methods for training smallholder farmers in postharvest management of crops across the seven countries of program implementation.
• Provide technical advice to other experts on the RE-GAIN Program on extension innovations and delivery of scaling technologies.
• Build new and strengthen existing partnerships that advance the RE-GAIN efforts to mainstream youth in postharvest processes (and agriculture in general)
• In collaboration with the M&E unit and the data and analytics unit, maintain a monitoring and evaluation system to assess the impacts of extension and delivery-focused investments on the RE-GAIN program.
• Participate in developing appropriate baseline information and indicators, identify training needs and implement appropriate interventions to enhance postharvest management capacities of various actors, and devise targeted policy advocacy for wider systems changes.
• Devise an in-house system to manage and disseminate information on ‘best-bet’ extension approaches for postharvest management and food loss reduction.
• Synthesize the large body of existing knowledge on agricultural extension and determine what technical support is relevant and useful to the RE-GAIN program.
• Identify viable routes to attract access to financing into the postharvest value chain stages in agricultural and agro-processing sectors.
• Prioritize targeted interventions that address bottlenecks in food loss reduction.
• Participate in and support the development of agro-processing as a channel for food loss reduction.
• Promote wholegrain process and institutional markets as an innovation for food loss reduction

Key Qualifications and Experience Required:

• A Bachelor’s in agricultural extension and advisory services, education, and/or communication.
• Professional experience in agricultural finance, agricultural policy and political economy analyses in Africa.
• Experience advising governments, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other types of organizations preferred.
• Experience in an advisory role, engagement of financial ecosystem stakeholders, and knowledge product development.
• Demonstrate deep understanding of food crop value chains, access to markets and trade for small-scale food crop producers and Agri SMEs, and youth engagement in the agricultural sector.
• Ability to spot and capitalize on emergent opportunities in inclusive finance, agriculture finance, digital finance, and related ecosystem actors.
• Familiarity with existing industry challenges and constraints for accessing financial services, especially for youth and young women.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop/design and lead the implementation of capacity-building activities that integrate FL-RS sustainability principles into Africa’s agricultural transformation, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective achievement of program goals.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of government and private sector policies and governance frameworks, along with significant experience in designing and implementing programs and advancing policy and regulatory reforms in relevant sectors.
• Strong working experience with partners, governments, international development agencies, local organizations as well as youth, men, and women organizations/agencies in the field of gender-mainstreaming in the agrifood system.
• Fluency in English is required; the ability to communicate in French is an advantage

Head – Program Management Unit REGAIN

The Position

Head – Program Management Unit REGAIN Job Reference: HPMU/PD/03/2025

The Head – Program Management Unit RE-GAIN, Head – Program Management Unit RE-GAIN, will be responsible for the overall program management, coordination, and engagement with all program partners, stakeholders, and key institutions at country and continental levels, and implementation of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) program across AGRA’s countries of operation.

The ideal candidate will oversee and coordinate the successful program delivery of the program, and be responsible for implementing program plans, ensuring alignment with the Fund’s strategic objectives, and in close collaboration with the internal stakeholders in AGRA. S/he will facilitate the integration of the RE-Gain program with the bigger food system and agricultural transformation agenda of AGRA and provide operational management and oversight for the program ensuring that it is delivered on time, within budget, and to the required standards.

 Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership, Planning and Alignment:

• Ensure effective planning and program management cycle to develop and implement a comprehensive program delivery strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives
• Development of an integrated RE-GAIN program work plan on an annual basis in collaboration with the relevant government implementing ministries, the technical project implementation teams, AGRA country, regional, and HQ teams.
• Coordinate country-level interventions set out in the RE-GAIN program, working with program teams, and common program and development partners to deliver innovative intervention models across the value chain.
• Function as the key focal point for the RE-GAIN Program and interface with the AGRA country teams, their stakeholders, Government, and implementing partners.

 Program Quality and Compliance:

• Implement and maintain robust quality assurance processes to ensure that REGAIN meets the established standards and delivers intended outcomes.
• Ensure that all REGAIN program activities are designed and executed with a focus on reducing post-harvest loss. Identify and prioritize actionable solutions addressing post-harvest food loss related to climate change.
• Monitor and assess program activities for compliance with environmental regulations and best practices, promoting sustainability and minimizing negative environmental impacts.
• Provide training and resources to program staff and stakeholders on quality standards, gender sensitivity, safeguarding, and environmental practices to enhance overall program effectiveness.
• Lead high-quality, results-oriented planning, implementation, and reporting in compliance with the GCF’s Funding Agreement.
• Lead the project implementation team to deliver the project outputs and outcomes on schedule.
• Ensure a clear linkage between REGAIN and the broader AGRA investments across scales and target countries.

Portfolio Oversight:

• Monitor program achievement against targets, consolidation of lessons and insights to inform future climate adaptation and mitigation strategies and enhance overall RE-GAIN program effectiveness.
• Manage program budgets and regularly track budget utilization and variations to ensure financial resources are utilized efficiently and effectively across all programs.
• Prepare and present portfolio performance reports to key stakeholders, highlighting key program findings, successes, and areas requiring attention.
• Identify potential risks related to the program performance and develop mitigation strategies to address these challenges proactively.
• Work with the Country Teams, to convene and build relationships with national governments, the private sector, donors, civil society organizations, and others with a presence in the country, to build and nurture country-level partnerships deemed essential to AGRA’s mission in the country.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders and partners, including government officials, donors, AGRA Country teams, internal teams, and implementing partners ensuring effective alignment of institutional strategic objectives, communication, and collaboration.
• Work closely with AGRA Enterprise Risk and Compliance unit, to ensure GCF-funded programs adhere to GCF’s rules and regulations.
• Maintain working knowledge of national agricultural sector development plans to identify and pursue opportunities to (i) mobilize resources and/or (ii) advocate for public and private sector stakeholders to scale AGRA’s demonstrated intervention models in countries.
• Draw on the technical expertise of AGRA in the areas of climate-related harvest and post-harvest food loss, and policy to enhance and raise awareness and build capacity to promote the adoption of Food Loss Reduction Solutions (FL-RS) among the smallholder farmers.
• Collaborate with research institutions to identify emerging trends and best practices in addressing food loss and climate resilience and stay informed about advancements in technologies and practices related to sustainable post-harvest management.
• Enables talent management and development of existing staff, acquiring new staff as necessary and managing team dynamics to ensure high performance and positive employee experience.
• Oversee the reporting requirements to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are kept appropriately informed of program progress and are provided with effective opportunities to provide feedback on implementation issues.
• Monitor and manage key implementation risks associated with the delivery of the project including the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.
• Collaborate with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) team to monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) projections versus actuals and initiate correction actions.
• Lead the operationalization and integration of the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)- appropriate assessments and risk mitigation action plans.
• Assist program officers in researching and developing grantee portfolios dealing with constraints, resources and opportunities for broader implementation of solutions aimed at reducing climate-related harvest and post-harvest food loss.
• Design and implement training programs to enhance the capacity of local stakeholders and communities in sustainable post-harvest practices.
• Provide technical assistance and support to local partners in adopting innovative technologies and processes.
• Synthesize key lessons, models, and approaches emerging from REGAIN and disseminate communication materials to raise awareness about food loss issues, promote best practices, and reach scale.
• Oversee program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure successful and timely results.
• Provide monthly program implementation status reports to the Program Advisory Group (RAG status).

Key Qualifications and Experience Required:

• A Bachelor’s or Advanced Degree in International Development / Relations, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Agriculture, or a related field.
• A Master’s or Doctorate in relevant fields will be an added advantage.
• Certification in Project Management is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multi-country complex projects and/or other development partner-funded programs and ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders (development partner, policymakers, private sector actors.
• Experience in mobilizing large resources and managing donor relationships
• Proficiency in various models of market linkage; understanding of regional trade issues; and models of access to finance to smallholder farmers, input and services providers, traders agro-processors, and other value chain actors.
• Experience working with multinational agriculture development agencies, especially in a program delivery and coordination role.
• Experience working in agri-food systems development, particularly in climate change, food loss, and waste in Africa.
• Understanding of post-harvest loss issues, sustainable agricultural practices, and climate change impacts on food security. Familiarity with innovative technologies and solutions aimed at reducing food loss and enhancing resilience.
• Demonstrate deep knowledge and understanding of project management principles and practices, including planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure of projects.
• Knowledge of agricultural technologies and innovations and the ability to introduce and scale these within countries.
• Capacity to lead or collaborate with R&D institutions and initiatives in identifying, generating, and disseminating new agricultural technologies that address local sector challenges.
• Ability to inspire others toward a common vision and foster trust in ethical behavior, and development of others by providing a supportive environment for enhanced performance and professional growth.
• Creates a positive work environment in which teams and individuals are enabled to perform to the best of their abilities and achieve results.
• Must be able to develop and inspire commitment to a vision of success, supporting, promoting, and ensuring alignment with the AGRA’s vision and values.

Program Officer – Inclusive Finance and Business Development Services (BDS) REGAIN

The Position

Program Officer – Inclusive Finance and Business Development Services (BDS) Job Reference: BDS/PMU/03/2025

The Program Officer – Program Officer – Inclusive Finance and BDS will work closely with AGRA’s in-country and regional partners including financial institutions (microfinance institutions, Fintechs, cooperatives, private investors, banks, etc.), blended finance instruments (including guarantee and other funds), business development services providers, food system stakeholders (SMEs including farmers organizations, input suppliers, off-takers, processors, etc.), insurance service providers, regulators, and policymakers.

The role holder will ensure effective implementation, troubleshooting, and provision of overall technical guidance on:

• Implementation of access to finance models for smallholder farmers and SMEs in the RE-GAIN program. The models require the establishment of multi-partite contracts of relevant stakeholders in the harvest/postharvest management – FL-RS technology suppliers, financial institutions, MSMEs and AGRA.
• Implementation of the business development component for improving the performance and bankability of MSMEs, youth groups, and cooperatives involved in the distribution and provision of FL-RS to smallholder farmers.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Champion, support and monitor the multi-partite contracts as proposed for model 1 and 2 that will enhance the accessibility and affordability of FL-RS for smallholder farmers.
• Ensure that maximum leverage is obtained from the smart subsidies available under the RE-GAIN program (value for money).
• Support country teams to develop business development programs that adopt the best practices and contribute to improved competitiveness of market actors in FL-RS provision.
• Identify and assess available agricultural finance solutions and actors that enhance the financing of agricultural value chain actors with a special focus on MSMEs in postharvest management and delivery of FL-RS to smallholder farmers.
• Monitor and analyze the cost-benefit of FL-RS adoption for farmers as well as FL-RS provision by MSMEs. This includes the documentation of the business case and bankability of threshing, drying and other services provision that reduce food losses.
• Support country teams in troubleshooting and scaling innovative financial and non-financial solutions for (young and female) Agri SMEs and farmers (such as climate finance, leveraging technologies, regulatory/policy framework changes, non-bank led finance, trade finance, supplier finance.
• Promote and continuously link ecosystem players and solutions that enhance access to finance and non-financial services for postharvest management food system actors.
• Support the integration of RE-GAIN partners’ performance in the Agri SME performance monitoring systems.
• Collate and share knowledge on RE-GAIN agricultural finance solutions and models with country teams and relevant partners for adaptation, adoption, and scaling.
• Develop knowledge sharing products and events to position the RE-GAIN program and AGRA as innovative practitioner in deploying blended finance instruments to grow the market for postharvest management solutions.
• Represent the RE-GAIN Program (and AGRA, where needed) in events, networks, and relevant for a.
• Provide oversight, technical support, and advice to implementing partners on issues related to the RE-GAIN program and any other related topics in financing and SME development in postharvest management.
• Develop relevant partnerships to connect RE-GAIN program beneficiaries, especially youth and young women, to financial and non-financial services providers.
• Ensure implementing partners and country staff collect the correct, Access to Finance and business development services data for AGRA’s monitoring system and analytics.
• Contribute to periodic reports as required by the RE-GAIN program.
• Participate in activity and budget planning for the RE-GAIN Program

Key Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Business, or a related Field.
• Relevant experience in the development and design of blended agricultural finance solutions and programs, preferably in both the private and public sectors (financial services providers, development programs, public institutions, DFIs/IFIs, digital finance, and agricultural companies.
• Experience in an advisory role, engagement of financial ecosystem stakeholders, and knowledge product development.
• Deep understanding of emergent opportunities in inclusive finance, agriculture finance, digital finance, and related ecosystem actors. Familiarity with existing industry challenges and constraints for accessing financial services, especially for youth and young women.
• Good understanding of food crop value chains, access to markets and trade for small-scale food crop producers and Agri SMEs, and youth engagement in the agricultural sector.
• Demonstrate deep understanding of emergent opportunities in inclusive finance, agriculture finance, digital finance, and related ecosystem actors.
• Familiarity with existing industry challenges and constraints for accessing financial services, especially for youth and young women.
• Strong working experience in developing sustainable business models for financial inclusion initiatives with the ability to identify gaps in access to financial services and create tailored solutions.
• Fluency in English is required; the ability to communicate in French is an advantage

Method of Application

If you believe you are the right candidate for this position, kindly submit your application with a detailed CV (including your e-mail and telephone contacts) to recruit@agra.org. Please quote the job reference number in the subject line of the application e-mail.

Applications must be received on or before 4th April 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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