PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project (SACP) is a development project financed jointly by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), OPEC Fund and the Government of Zimbabwe. SACP supports the transformation of smallholder agriculture in Zimbabwe through private sector-led and value chain development. The Project operates in five provinces of Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland North and Midlands. It consists of three interlinked components: Component 1: Inclusive Value Chain Development, Component 2: Climate Proofed Value Chain Infrastructure and Component 3: Policy and Institutional Support and Project Coordination. While the lead agency of the project is Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanization and Water Resources Development (MAMWRD), all SACP activities include pro-active co-operations with the private sector, including the farming community, small and medium enterprises and larger processing and marketing companies in key agricultural value chain.

Overall, Scope of Work
Reporting to the National Project Coordinator, the Senior Value Chain and Agribusiness Advisor will lead the SACP overall effort to identify and develop enterprise-led smallholder-inclusive value chains in the project target provinces and districts. The SACP target over project life is to provide TA and matching grants to 40 lead enterprises, 200 microenterprises and 800 Agriculture Producer Groups. Also access to financial services is promoted at all beneficiary levels. The Advisor ensures the technical quality of the SACP value chain implementation according to the guidelines provided by the Financing Agreement, project design report, and the PIM and following the guidance by the Project Coordinator, the lead ministry MAMWRD, the SACP Steering Committee and IFAD supervision missions.

Job Summary

Type: contract
Location: Harare
Category: Agriculture
Closing Date: 2026-07-03

Key Responsibilities

Attend relevant meetings, technical working groups, conferences, etc. to share knowledge, coordinate programmes, and promote SACPs work;
Coordinate with SIRP to identify synergies and potential areas of collaboration;
Provide capacity building support and mentoring to relevant SACP staff at all levels;
Provide the agribusiness/VC development perspective vision and inputs to the development of the AWPB;
Draft the agribusiness/VC sections of the SACP annual progress reports;
Contribute to SACP M&E activities from VC and Agribusiness point of view, including sex and age disaggregated data collection and reporting in coordination with the M&E team.
Monitoring and Evaluation of value chain performance and update the project MIS in liaison with the M & E Specialist.
Lead project development and strategic support across all 5 provinces in the area of Value Chain and Agribusiness development;
Coordinate the overall implementation of the Business Development Services, Climate Smart Agriculture and Financial Literacy services to VCLES, MSES and to APGS following the detailed guidance in the Project Implementation Manual, paying special attention to the needs of men, women;
Coordinate the overall delivery of Matching Grants and Loans to Value Chain Lead Enterprises, Micro and Small Enterprises and to Agricultural Producer Groups, following the detailed guidance in the Project Implementation Manual;
Liaise with the Financial Institution in charge of the Lead Enterprise Credits, and ensure coordinated targeting between Matching Grants and Credit Line according to the PIM;
Ensure all APG/MSE/VCLE Technical Assistance and Financial Support are appropriately planned for, prepared and implemented, following the guidance in the PDR and PIM;
Support and coordinate the work by Provincial and District level SACP specialists and staff implementing value chain development activities;
Coordinate and supervise the activities implemented by BDS, CSA AND FL service provider consultants;
Facilitate market driven linkages between agribusiness producers, wholesalers, processors, and markets within the project areas;
Meet and liaise with relevant ministry staff, other agriculture/business development projects in the country, the private sector, and other donors working in agriculture to ensure synergies are created and resources are leveraged;

Requirements

A Master’s Degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Management, or MBA.
15-years’ experience in rural development in Zimbabwe;
Experience in value chain development, smallholder development, agribusiness, agriculture finance, international institutions;
An existing network of relations pertaining to agribusiness, smallholder agriculture, value chains and financial inclusion;
Strong leadership skills, including the ability to delegate responsibility within the team.

How to Apply

A. All applications must be addressed to: The Chief Director, Human Resources Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Ngungunyana Building No. 1, Liberation Legacy Way Private Bag 7701 Causeway Harare

B. Applications (hard copy) must contain the following information and must be submitted to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Head Office, Human Resources Department, Room 240A not later than 03 July 2026.
1. Full Names (Surname first)
2. Date of Birth
3. Relevant Qualifications and Experience
4. Station and Vacancy Being Applied for
5. Detailed Curriculum Vitae with current contact details and copies of National I.D card, birth certificate and qualifications.

C. Also submit a soft copy of Curriculum Vitae only (Word Doc) on email [email protected]

D. Please be advised that applications that do not comply with the above requirements and those submitted after the deadline will not be processed.

NB: Eligible female candidates are encouraged to apply.

REF Code: SACP/ SVC/2026

About the Company

The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, also known as the Ministry of Agriculture, is a government ministry responsible for agriculture in Zimbabwe, including the management of agricultural land use, but not land reform. Dr Anxious Masuka is the incumbent Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, having been appointed on 14 August 2020 as Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. In April 2026, the Ministry was split into two ministries: that of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, and the Ministry of Lands and Rural Development. Currently, the deputy minister is Davis Marapira. The ministry is located in Harare.

Website: https://ioe.ifad.org/en/w/zimbabwe-country-strategy-and-programme-evaluation-final-workshop

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