Job Description
The World at Abt
Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.
We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.
Our team includes experts in policy, science, finance and natural resource management. We also work with colleagues in economic analysis, engineering, agriculture, finance and public health. Our work on climate change seeks to construct the building blocks of low-emission, climate-resilient communities. We work throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East for chiefly governmental clients, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others.
To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.
Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.
The Opportunity
We are currently seeking an Inclusive Agribusiness/Value Chain Specialist to support the CBFAP, a seven-year initiative funded by FCDO. The programme seeks to promote sustainable forest governance, strengthen local economies, and create inclusive opportunities for forest-dependent communities across the Congo Basin.
The Inclusive Agribusiness/Value Chain Specialist will be responsible for leading and supporting inclusive agricultural and value chain development strategies that directly benefit vulnerable and marginalised communities in the Congo Basin. The Specialist will play a key role in promoting equitable participation of women, youth, and indigenous groups in agribusiness, improving market access, and enhancing value chain integration for sustainable livelihoods.
This position requires a strong understanding of inclusive market systems development, with experience in creating opportunities for disadvantaged groups in rural and forest-dependent communities. The Inclusive Agribusiness/Value Chain Specialist will work closely with local communities, cooperatives, private sector actors, and other stakeholders to ensure that all community members benefit from economic opportunities generated by sustainable agricultural and value chain development initiatives.
Core Responsibilities
Inclusive Agribusiness and Value Chain Development
- Lead the design and implementation of inclusive agribusiness and value chain strategies that prioritise the participation of women, youth, and indigenous groups in agricultural and forest-based value chains.
- Provide technical support to smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and rural enterprises on inclusive market systems development, ensuring that vulnerable and marginalised groups are fully integrated into economic activities.
- Promote inclusive approaches to agricultural production, processing, and marketing, ensuring that traditionally excluded groups have access to resources, training, and market opportunities.
- Conduct value chain analysis with an emphasis on identifying barriers and opportunities for inclusive participation, and develop strategies to increase market access for underserved groups.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
- Build the capacity of local communities, cooperatives, and businesses through targeted training on sustainable agribusiness practices, value chain integration, and inclusive entrepreneurship.
- Develop and deliver training programs that focus on empowering women, youth, and indigenous communities with skills related to agroforestry, NTFP harvesting, business management, and financial literacy.
- Provide technical assistance to local groups to help them meet market standards, certifications, and access formal markets, ensuring that inclusive approaches are central to value chain development.
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships
- Collaborate with private sector actors, government agencies, and NGOs to promote inclusive agribusiness partnerships that support marginalised communities in accessing markets and financial resources.
- Engage with national and local government bodies to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote inclusive economic development in rural and forest-dependent areas.
- Facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues, workshops, and networking events that bring together community members, private sector representatives, and other key stakeholders to promote inclusive value chains.
Sustainable Livelihood Development and Economic Empowerment
- Promote sustainable livelihood opportunities for marginalised groups by identifying and supporting viable economic activities such as agroforestry, eco-tourism, and sustainable forest product harvesting.
- Ensure that the design and implementation of livelihood strategies are aligned with gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles, empowering women, youth, and other disadvantaged groups.
- Facilitate access to finance and business development services for rural enterprises and smallholder farmers, ensuring that marginalised groups are included in financial literacy training and have access to credit and investment opportunities.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Support the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of inclusive agribusiness and value chain activities, ensuring that data is collected and analysed to assess progress toward achieving inclusive economic outcomes.
- Work with the M&E team to track indicators related to gender equality, youth engagement, and the participation of indigenous groups in value chains.
- Prepare reports and success stories that document progress, challenges, and lessons learned from implementing inclusive agribusiness and value chain strategies.
What We Value
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Rural Development, Gender Studies, or a related field.
- At least 5-7 years of experience in agribusiness development, inclusive value chains, or market systems development, with a strong focus on empowering vulnerable and marginalised groups.
- Proven experience working on projects that promote gender equality, youth empowerment, and the economic inclusion of indigenous communities.
- Demonstrated experience conducting value chain analysis and developing market access strategies for smallholder farmers and rural enterprises.
- Experience working in the Congo Basin or similar rural, forest-dependent regions is highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge of inclusive market systems development, sustainable agricultural practices, and value chain integration.
- Proven ability to work with private sector actors, cooperatives, and rural enterprises to promote inclusive agribusiness partnerships.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build the capacity of marginalised groups.
- Fluency in English and French is required. Proficiency in local languages spoken in the Congo Basin would be an advantage.
- Strong commitment to gender equality, social inclusion, and the empowerment of vulnerable communities.
- Culturally sensitive with the ability to work effectively in diverse and challenging environments.
- Proactive, solution-oriented, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
What We Offer
We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.
Abt Global Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
