Position Description

Local Facilitator for Seed Sector Analysis

Location Tanzania

Department Programs

Employment Type Consultant

Local Facilitator , Seed Sector Analysis for the Feed the Future Tanzania Agri Finance Project

IESC is a leading US nonprofit organization that helps people improve their lives by strengthening economic opportunities in developing countries. We help to create sustainable jobs, improve productivity, grow incomes, and strengthen micro, small and medium sized enterprises. We work with farmers, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, financial service providers, market actors, and governments to share proven skills and tools – human, technological, and financial – that help communities thrive .

IESC through the USAID Funded, Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project is seeking a Tanzanian consultant to support an upcoming assignment focused on assessing the seed production business in Tanzania to unveil its potentials, opportunities and profitability . The seed study will identify opportunities for collaboration between seed producers/out growers and financial institutions, and areas for c apacity strengthening on both sides to unlock financing opportunities to increase the production and availability of quality seeds to Tanzanian farmers, with an emphasis on youth and women.

The assignment is anticipated to begin in August 202 4 , with a particular focus on conducting a thorough seed sector analysis to examine the trend towards financing seed production and distribution activities in Tanzania and provide the status of financing seed production for food crops (maize, rice, sorghum, beans and horticultural crops) in the project zone of influence . On the supplier side, t he assignment will also examine Tanzania n policies on seed production, multiplication, distribution, and consumption , and analyze the effects on investments in the sub sector , explore seed system players current initiatives to secure financing for seed production, multiplications, and distribution . The assignment will examine the status of seeds used by smallholder farmers and factors behind their seed s election . The assignment wi ll further examine seed production business potential , returns and opportunities for financing from formal financial institutions , and i dentify ways to increase financing to the seed sector . This will includ e how to support the seed system players to establish short and long-term business relationships and partnerships with financial institutions , and financial institutions to deploy more credit and financing in the seed sector , i dentify the availability of specialized financial products and services that meet the needs of seed sector players , and identify required product terms/structure to expand opportunities to the sector .

The anticipated level of effort for this assignment is up to 18 days with 7 5 % of the days spent setting up interviews and facilitating the collect i on of primary data from local stakeholders in Tanzania . Stakeholders w i ll i nclud e financial institutions, farmers and farmer groups, seed companies, TASTA (association of seed traders), government ministries and agencies, and Local Government Authorities , . In t erviews will identify the bottlenecks faced by seed system players to access agricultural financial services in Tanzania, including access to collateral, productive resources, knowledge, and other factors to be determined .

The candidate selected for this position will serve as facilitator, working alongside another consultant to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the country . IESC will consider candidates who have experience working in Tanzania and across East Africa region and particularly in agriculture and the seed subsector .

Responsibilities will include :

Id entifying , and organizing interviews with financial institutions, farmers and farmer groups, seed companies, TASTA (association of seed traders), government ministries and agencies, and Local Government Authorities , and other interested stakeholders to understand the current challenges, and opportunities related to Seed production, processing , distribution, and consumption ,
Serving as interpreter during stakeholder interviews with the lead consultant when appropriate
Taking notes during stakeholder interviews
Coordinating with the lead consultant to identify need s and p rovide recommendations on effective strategies for engaging target populations , including specific financial product and service design and operational improvements required by financial institutions, and knowledge/ capacity strengthening requirements among potential borrowers.
Competencies Requested:

Higher university degree in business development, business administration, economic development, agriculture, agriculture economics, or another related field of study
At least 8 years of relevant experience in business development, enterprise development, business management, agri-business and agri -financing
Independence and strong interpersonal skills
Experience in research work, statistics, and conducting and synthesizing both primary and secondary data into written deliverables eZN2LWb Dmw3zg
Extensive practical experience in agricultural financing
Experience assessing the constraints and identifying opportunities in the agricultural sector
Demonstrated ability to identify , and coordinate with various stakeholders across public and private sectors
Creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Goal-oriented mindset and hands-on approach .
Good written and verbal communication skills .
Self-motivated, proactive, detail-oriented, mature, professional team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to address issues, challenges, questions, and concerns in a professional, respectful, logical, and timely manner.
Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural contexts.
Prior experience of working in developing country contexts – especially in Tanzania and/or East Africa – will be helpful; and
Excellent written and spoken communication skills in Kiswahili and English
Qualified candidates are invited to send their CV and a one-page cover letter indicating technical expertise in, geographic experience in the Country and region, and examples of relevant experience in the sector .