Market-Led Production Specialist – St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA)  

IESC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equitable, sustainable economic growth in developing countries. IESC believes that a robust private sector is a foundation for resilient nations and strong communities. Since 1964 IESC has helped to grow small and medium enterprises around the world and strengthened the systems and institutions that support them. By deploying a mix of technical assistance and volunteer expert support, IESC works with emerging industries, financial institutions, and governments to stabilize economic environments, increase opportunity, and promote growth.    

The purpose of the Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA) is to help mitigate increases in poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition accelerated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in addition to poor production techniques, impacts of climate change and limited farmer access to technology and applications. The Activity will address food security challenges by promoting climate smart sustainable agricultural production practices for highly nutritious, high value fruits and vegetables, increasing farmer knowledge via improved extension, and facilitating market linkages domestically and regionally to improve consumer access to locally produced fruit and vegetable products.   

IESC is recruiting an experienced Market-Led Production Specialist for CAPA who will provide technical assistance, capacity building and other agronomic support to farmers towards the implementation of CAPA. The Market-led Production Specialist working closely with other team members will develop strategies that promote the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices and technologies for selected agro-ecological zones in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and value chains.

The Market-led Production Specialist reports to the Deputy Program Director based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and will be expected to travel throughout intervention areas in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to facilitate technical intervention. The Market-led Production Specialist will support the Deputy Program Director to develop collaborative partnerships with relevant agricultural stakeholders and conduct capacity needs assessments of farmers.

The Activity is anticipated to run through June 2026. The initial period of performance of this position will be one year with the possibility of renewal based on successful execution of the responsibilities outlined below.    

Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Conduct farm-level assessment to identify gaps in demand for agro-inputs, technologies, and farm equipment.
• Support the development of farmer-friendly market-led production specification knowledge products. 
• Deliver Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions to producers, farmer organizations and lead farmers of the selected crops on best practices for production and post-harvest management to market specifications
• Identify key agricultural sector stakeholders and facilitate stakeholder dialogue forums.
• Development of production plans with input and information gathered from buyers, including exporters/aggregators without grower arrangements, supermarkets, and hotels and farmers.
• Identify relevant topics and accomplishments from interventions to support communication efforts.
• Provide technical expertise on climate-smart agriculture practices to farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the MEL manager to contribute to data collection and analysis in line with the developed MEL plan. 
• Any other duties that may be assigned consistent with the requirements of the role.

Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree agriculture, or a related and relevant field. B.A. required, Masters a plus. 
• Minimum of five years’ professional experience in agriculture, agricultural development, agricultural finance, or related field in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
• Experience in agricultural production and marketing including agricultural systems; farm and business operations. 
• Experience building linkages between farmers and the private sector. 
• Experience working with women and youth in agriculture and or entrepreneurs, including capacity building. 
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data collections techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Well-developed interpersonal, collaboration, and networking skills. 
• Fluency in English required.

Successful candidates for this position will be a CARICOM Member State national based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines or willing to relocate to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This position does not include a full expatriate benefits package.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Deadline for final application is January 24^th, 2025.