SENIOR POLICY SPECIALIST FOR HORTICULTURE (SPSH)

Background:

ASPIRES Tanzania is implementing a Horticultural Policy Enabling Environment component of the USAID/KILIMO TIJA project through a sub-grant from Agricultural Cooperative Development International / Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA), the prime contractor for the project. ASPIRES would like to hire a Senior Policy Specialist to support this activity. Kilimo Tija Activity (KTA) is a five-year project that aims to transform the Tanzanian horticultural market system into a more vibrant, competitive, resilient, and inclusive system capable of fueling sustained growth and drawing in new market participants.

Through the Kilimo Tija Activity, horticultural-related enterprises, smallholders, and producer organizations – especially youth – will benefit from improved commercial access to productive technologies and technical training to help them produce fresh, high-quality, processed fruits and vegetables for an expanding and diverse market of domestic and international buyers.

Job Summary: ASPIRES seeks to engage a qualified candidate to serve as the Senior Policy Specialist for Horticulture and Leader of the Policy Research Team. The SPSH will implement the SERA BORA project and take on the leadership role in implementing the Horticultural Policy Enabling Environment. The SPSH will spearhead policy research, analysis, and policy dialogue and provide technical support during policy reforms, approval, and implementation in horticulture.

The policy reforms include the horticultural sub-sector, fiscal policy, and legal and regulatory framework. The SPSH will be a liaison between ASPIRES and ACDI/VOCA. The SPSH will regularly interact with the Ministry of Agriculture and other sector Ministries, the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA), the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), and other horticulture stakeholders. Remunerations will be commensurate with education, background, and experience. The SPSH will divide time between Kilimo Tija and ASPIRES offices in Dar es Salaam.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Participate in the preparation of work plans, and monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
Coordinate and conduct horticultural policy research and analysis
Facilitate horticultural policy dialogue, including the organization of seminars and conferences
Provide technical support during horticultural policy reforms
Collaborate with ASPIRES technical, administration, and communication teams during the implementation of activities
Implement other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Parties of both ASPIRES and Kilimo Tija Education and Experience
At least a Masters degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, or closely related fields
Ten (10) or more years of experience in Agriculture Development projects, Project Management (design, budgeting, work plan, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL), Writing Reports)
Experience in high-level policy engagement with Government Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Parliamentarians, etc
Excellent analytical skills
Demonstrated knowledge of the horticulture sector
Demonstrated capacity to produce high-quality research and writing skills
Strong team player, self-motivated, and able to work with people from different social and cultural backgrounds
Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated leadership skills and strong experience in building and managing teams
Familiarity with the literature and demonstrated knowledge of research in one or more of the following areas: agricultural development and policy, food security, nutrition, and food systems transformation
Field experience in agricultural and market surveys, including project and household data in developing countries
Analysis of national survey and census data
Good interpersonal skills and ability to lead research teams
Strong results orientation, demonstrated ability to balance multiple projects with a high level of accuracy, and the ability to prioritize tasks and work independently
Excellent working knowledge of word processing, database, statistics, and spreadsheet software.
Experience with donor-funded projects is desirable, primarily USAID-funded projects
Experience in/of the horticulture industry is an added advantage

Interested candidates who meet the mentioned qualifications should send an application letter and CV with at least three referees to info@aspires.or.tz