CARE International in the Caucasus serves disempowered people so they can overcome poverty with dignity. CARE models the principles of transparency, accountability, participation, equity and continuous learning."

Job Title: Market Links Development Coordinator (MLDC)

Duty Station: Samtredia (with up to 50% of time spent traveling to all project areas).

Care International in the Caucasus is seeking a Market Links Development Coordinator (MLDC) for the "Cooperation for Rural Prosperity in Georgia" project.

Cooperation for Rural Prosperity in Georgia is a project which is funded by the EU's ENPARD (European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development) policy initiative. Implemented by CARE and its consortium members it aims to increase the income and living standard of the Georgian rural population by reinvigorating agricultural productivity. This will be achieved through the development of innovative and financially sustainable models of cooperatives so that farmers are better able to reap profits from their agricultural activities. It will also address key barriers in Georgia's agricultural sector through identifying, testing and validating new models of cooperative groups that have the capacity to generate additional revenue for their members and are linked to wider networks of service providers.

As a long term, deeply engaged actor in Georgia and the South Caucasus, CARE's goal in undertaking this project is to set in motion a transformational approach, supporting cooperation that can shape a rural economy able to move towards prosperity and food sufficiency based on diversified, market-driven agricultural enterprise. The project will be carried out in several municipalities of Guria and Samegrelo, as well as Tsageri in Lechkhumi.

Job summary:

The Market Links Development Coordinator (MLDC) is a key player in facilitating trade links between smallholder farmer groups, processors, traders and investors. Under the direct supervision of the Project Director and in close coordination with RDA and GFA will be responsible for supporting and facilitating the business development activities of project beneficiaries specially regarding to access to credit and marketing services. He/she will manage the Online Marketplace, establishing linkages among smallholder farmer groups' ideas and improved sources of capital and therefore ensuring the success of farmer groups' business plans and the sustainability of the project.

Responsibilities and tasks:

Job Responsibility 1:

** Develop strategies and approaches, plan activities and prepare reports for the Market Links Development Component of the project

** Assess the rural business sector in the project area and develop strategies and work plans that aim at supporting small business development in the project communities

** Provide support to the information/promotion campaign among farmers and community members. Provide input in developing guidelines for the selection of business ideas and participate in this selection process.

** Actively support the coordination and exchange of information with other projects and organizations in Georgia, the dissemination of lessons learned and advocacy for farmers and rural businesses.

Job Responsibility 2:

** Support and facilitate the business development activities of project beneficiaries with regards to market linkages and marketing

** Identify and promote productive and sustainable linkages between business ideas supported by the project and service providers, government agencies and the local community.

** Collaborate on market research and collection of market information relevant to the smallholder farmers groups.

** Lead preparation and implementation of training events aimed to improve participants' skills in market development and marketing methods.

** Assist the development of appropriate terms of reference for external TA required to support the smallholder farmer groups' marketing plans or specific technical needs.

Job Responsibility 3:

** Establishment of linkages among smallholder farmer groups and improved sources of capital

** Assist and collaborate with the relevant departments in developing the Online Marketplace to promote the participation of outside investors and link them to farmers groups business' ideas. Prepare necessary information about participant farmers groups to be included in databases.

** Map out and collect information on the credit providers working in the target location. Determine the constraints of financing smallholder farmer groups and find out models and examples from places where financial actors have benefited by extending services.

** Lobby financial entities to extend credit coverage to farmers groups. Organize annual investment conferences for highlighting outstanding cooperatives and attracting investor interest.

Qualifications:

Required:

** University degree in economics, agriculture, business or related field.

** Marketing training

** At least 2 years of demonstrable appropriate experience in the support and development of farming and rural businesses in Georgia

** Fluency in spoken and written Georgian and English;

** Proficiency in basic Microsoft programs;

** Excellent communication and training skills; excellent organizational skills and attention to details; advanced interpersonal skills and ability to form and maintain cooperative working relationships with colleagues;

** Presentation and Reporting skills.

Desired:

** Experience in economic development/rural livelihoods programs;

** Experience in online platforms and/or website management;

** Understanding of the challenges faced by the Georgian agriculture sector;

** Working knowledge of Russian languages.

To apply:

Please submit a Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae (including names and contact information of three references) to the following e-mail address: hr@care.org.ge and please, indicate job title in the subject line of your application, otherwise your application will not be reviewed. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Applications will be reviewed on on-going basis.

Deadline to apply: January 28, 2014

CARE International is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

source: jobs.ge