Vacancy Announcement - Short Term Consultant – Agri input market expert - Market Development Facility (MDF)

Short Term Consultant – Agri input market expert

• Short-term, International (ARF B2)
• Up to 55 days with possibility of extension
• Open to International applicants, remote with some travel to Timor Leste

About MDF  

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 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

Background

Agriculture is the backbone of Timor-Leste's economy, engaging approximately 70% of the population and employing about 80% of the labour force; yet contributing only 10% to the GDP. Major challenges include limited access to inputs, inadequate infrastructure, and poor market access. The national census of 2019 identified that only 6% of the household used fertilizer, 20% used seed and planting material, and 6% used plant protection.
Since that census, Timor-Leste’s agriculture input sector has grown, and farmers are adopting more inputs. Import data shows that the import of seed and herbicide has tripled since 2020, while the import of fertilizer has almost doubled in the same period. Among all agricultural inputs imported, 70% of them are imported from Indonesia. This adoption is driven by agricultural training and demonstration conducted by various organizations, increasing number of retailers in the district selling agricultural inputs, increased awareness among farmers, and business connections between international agriculture input suppliers and manufacturers.
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, subject to the direction of MDF. 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.

Required Selection Criteria

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

Please submit your application via link below and attach your cover letter and CV, addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.

https://palladium.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/2/home/requisition/23304?c=palladium

Closing date:  08 November 2024 (Midnight) Timor Leste time.

About Palladium

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.

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 to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who we encounter in our work 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.