Agri Input Market Expert, Market Development Facility(MDF)-Timor-Leste

Agri Input Market Expert, Market Development Facility(MDF)-Timor-Leste

• Seeking an agricultural expert to continue this momentum and further increase agricultural input availability, access, and adoption.
• Inputs & Duration: Up to a maximum of 55 days, with possibility of extension.
• Open to international applicants, remote with some travel to Timor-Leste.

About the Market Development Facility

Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) helps countries in the Indo-Pacific region to grow through improved productivity, economic diversification, competitiveness and trade.MDF helps business partners and government to identify markets that have high potential to grow, be profitable, and deliver social and environmental value.

MDF supports catalytic innovation in these markets by co-investing with local and international partners to reduce the costs and risks of early-stage commercial opportunities. This accelerates progress to profitability and scale.Our aim is to do good by supporting good business. MDF supports business investment and innovation that reduces poverty, economically empowers women and combats climate change.

MDF currently operates in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Vanuatu, Tonga and Sri Lanka. MDF is funded by the Australian Government and co-funded by the New Zealand Government in Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. It is implemented by Palladium, in partnership with Swisscontact.

In Timor-Leste (TL), MDF promotes economic diversification and poverty reduction through partnerships in agribusiness and tourism. The team also encourages entrepreneurship by providing financial and advisory support to innovative businesses.

The Role

MDF is seeking for an agricultural expert to continue this momentum and further increase agricultural input availability, access, and adoption. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of the agricultural input market and a business network of international agricultural input manufacturers, mainly in Indonesia. The consultant will facilitate the introduction of new agricultural inputs into Timor-Leste and foster business relationships between agricultural input exporters and Timorese importers.

Key Responsibilities

Specific deliverables will be determined in consultation with the short-term adviser. Scope shall include the following:

• Identify the supply side of agriculture input by mapping key Indonesian agricultural input suppliers and assessing their interest and eligibility to export to Timor-Leste.
• Identify the demand side of agriculture input by engaging with Timor-Leste’s importers, companies, and/or other programs to map demand and identify market gaps.
• Establish business linkages between Indonesian agriculture input suppliers and Timorese importers.
• Organize an agricultural trade-fair in Timor Leste by inviting international agriculture input manufacturers.

Duration and Location

The technical expert will provide up to fifty-five (55) days of input to complete. Input days are likely to be split (not continuous) and subject to negotiation with MDF.

The assignment is remote and field-based in Timor-Leste, with travel expenses anticipated. The travel and accommodation will be paid on actual basis and the per diem expenses will be paid based on MDF’s policy.

Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in the agricultural input sector in developing economies.
• Qualification in development, economics, business, agriculture, or other relevant fields.
• Experience working with agricultural input exporters or importers on market access, strategy and operations.
• Knowledge and connection with Indonesian agriculture input manufacturers is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated capacity to constructively engage with the private and public sector, development partners.
• Knowledge of and experience in Timor-Leste is preferred

How to Apply

For full details on role requirements, please refer to the Terms of Reference .

Please submit your application online including a cover letter and CV, addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.

Closing date: Friday 8th November (Midnight) Dili Time

About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including a rigorous due diligence process. 

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