The Senior Food Processing Manager is the technical lead overseeing the provision of strategic advisory services to food processors at country level. S/he will oversee all engagements with selected small and growing food processors, with primary focus on clients requiring more advanced, customized support. S/he will collaborate with other team members in-country and across the project, to ensure coordinated and impactful implementation.
The Senior Food Processing Manager will report to the Chief of Party and will act as in-country Program Manager Lead.
Responsibilities Include:
Processor Selection
· Implement an objective, equitable, and transparent process for selection of processors who will contribute to intended program impacts based upon agreed selection criteria and pathways to impact. Particular attention must be given to representation of women-owned or -managed processors.
· Evaluate processors based on concept notes, interviews and site visits, and verification of information supplied in the initial application.
· Conduct final selection based upon consultation with the Chief of Party and PFS counterparts.
· Document the processor selection process.
· Maintain a pipeline of sufficient clients to ensure adequate engagement of PFS experts.
Processor Assessment and Categorization
· Conduct a diagnostic assessment of each of the selected processors to identify priority business and technical challenges.
· Share and discuss the assessment with the client to verify findings, seek clarifications, and ensure a common understanding of the priorities. Use appropriate interview and business advisory methodologies to dig deeper and ensure that the root problems are identified.
· Categorize selected processors partners into predefined segments to pair them with the appropriate level and sophistication of technical advice.
Processor Relationship Management
· Conduct a foundational meeting for newly on-boarded clients to explain the project and partners and to agree on expectations.
· Oversee the signing and management of client agreements, including extensions as necessary and graduation.
· Ensure regular communication with all clients to maintain their satisfaction with project support and early identification of any problems.
· Act as the bridge between PFS and the processors in the life of charters and of the client relationship
Technical Assistance
· For less sophisticated clients with simpler technical and business needs, support the Food Processing Adviser and Capacity Development Lead/Training Manager to develop and deliver standardized trainings and quick win solutions, or charters that are more straightforward.
· Work with the Food Processing Adviser to facilitate university student internships / apprenticeship initiative with foundational processors.
· For more sophisticated clients with more complex needs, develop and facilitate alignment on a project charter for each processor.
· Facilitate processors to adopt policies and practices that create safer and more equitable work environments for women.
· Source and facilitate relevant expertise from PFS partner company volunteer experts to support the food processors. Liaise between volunteers and processors to ensure clear expectations and smooth communication.
· Plan activities to ensure that the shared objectives are met within the set times and resources and that impact is maximized.
· Provide on-the-ground support for implementation of technical advice, on issues including product quality improvement, new product development, equipment upgrading, compliance with international standards, marketing, and branding.
· Provide business coaching as appropriate.
Sector Wide Trainings
· Support the project Capacity Development Lead, PFS experts, and local training institutes with technical input on identification of appropriate topics and development of curricula for sector wide training in support of broader industry development
Access to Finance
Market Linkages
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
· Contribute towards explanations of metric results and provide input to reports.
· Provide anecdotal evidence of impact, including success stories, case studies, and lessons learned.
· Contribute well-written, cohesive sections of narrative reports for submission to the donor.
· Ensure activities carried out are in accordance with TechnoServe and donor requirements.
Representation
· Work with stakeholders operating in the same space including the government and regulatory authorities to ensure that the project contributes to the national food security and nutrition agenda.
Staff Management
Gender Integration
· Understand all gender integration requirements (donor as well as internal to TechnoServe).
· Review gender targets and progress and make suggestions for course correction to country and program leadership, as necessary.
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