Overview
Position summary
Banyan Global is recruiting four specialists for the commercial agriculture technical area of an upcoming Millennium Challenge Corporation procurement and is contingent on an award. The work will support social analysis of commercial agricultural investment and value chain development, currently in Mozambique but may include other countries as well. Candidates may apply for more than one position. Experience in Mozambique or the broader Southern Africa region, and Portuguese language skills, are preferred.
Responsibilities
Positions and key responsibilities
Household and Community Social Dynamics Specialist (Social Scientist, Level I, 5-9 years,)
- Analyze intra-household and community-level factors that influence participation in agricultural systems and decision-making, including division of labor and household financial decisions.
- Assess access to productive resources such as land, credit, training, and inputs, and the barriers faced by different population groups.
- Assess how agricultural interventions affect stakeholders at household and community levels.
- Recommend ways to enhance participation, promote self-sufficiency, and minimize social risks.
Agricultural Value Chain and Market Systems Specialist (Sector Expert, Level I, 5-9 years)
- Analyze the structure and performance of agricultural markets and value chains, with attention to the role of farmers.
- Assess access to markets, inputs (including seeds, fertilizers, and technology), training, and financial resources.
- Evaluate contract farming arrangements and the influence of public policies and subsidies.
- Identify constraints and opportunities that affect participation and income generation within the sector.
Social and Institutional Change Specialist (Social Scientist, Level II, 10-14 years)
- Identify and analyze the social, cultural, and economic drivers that shape beliefs, practices, and decision-making at individual, community, and institutional levels.
- Assess how these factors enable or constrain the change and adaptation needed for new economic investments to succeed.
- Diagnose the norms, incentives, and institutional dynamics that influence stakeholder responses, and translate them into actionable recommendations for program design.
- Work closely with technical teams so that interventions are socially grounded, responsive to local realities, and able to sustain change.
Commercial Agriculture Investment and Market Integration Specialist (Technical Expert, Level II, 10-14 years)
- Assess the commercial viability and broad benefits of agricultural investment models, including large-scale investments, aggregation systems, and outgrower or contract farming arrangements.
- Analyze how farmers and local enterprises are integrated into supply chains, including constraints related to logistics, market access, and coordination among value chain actors.
- Evaluate investment structures and identify risks related to pricing, market dynamics, and power imbalances.
- Recommend ways to strengthen inclusive, sustainable, and commercially viable agricultural systems.
Qualifications
Required qualifications
Experience requirements depend on the level of the position:
- Level I: a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 5 to 9 years of demonstrated experience related to the work. Applies to the Household and Community Social Dynamics and the Agricultural Value Chain positions.
- Level II: 10 to 14 years of experience in economic and social analysis, design, and/or implementation, including conducting social analysis or applying it to project design or implementation in a relevant technical field, and a bachelor's degree in a related field. Applies to the Social and Institutional Change and the Commercial Agriculture Investment positions.
All candidates must also have:
- Experience in commercial agriculture, agricultural value chains, or rural livelihoods, gained in low-income and lower-middle-income countries.
- For the Social Scientist positions, expertise in a social science (sociology, anthropology, demography, geography, economics, or community development) or a related discipline, and experience conducting social analysis that includes stakeholder engagement.
- For the Sector Expert position, expertise in agricultural investment and value chains.
- For the Technical Expert position, experience applying social analysis to a technical area such as agricultural investment, access to markets, or access to finance.
- Strong written English. Depending on the country assignment, MCC may also require Spanish, French, or Portuguese.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience in Mozambique or the broader Southern Africa region.
- Proficiency in Portuguese.
- Experience with commercial aggregators, outgrower schemes, or contract farming.
- Experience working with smallholder farmers and farmer organizations.
- Prior experience working with MCC.
How to apply
Please upload your CV and a brief cover letter, indicating which position(s) you are applying for, with the subject line "Commercial Agriculture Specialists" to https://banyanglobal.com/careers/.
These positions are contingent on Banyan Global being awarded the contract.
