Sierra Leone Opportunities for Business Action (SOBA) is a private sector development program that uses a market systems approach to facilitate pro-poor economic growth in Sierra Leone. The program collaborates with a breadth of private sectors partners within agriculture and sustainable energy to trial and to scale innovative and inclusive business practices that reduce poverty and improve economic opportunities and outcomes for poor women and men.
SOBA is seeking an experienced consultant to design a scalable “smart subsidy” approach/pilot and management system for ag-inputs which will improve access and usage of the ag-inputs in Sierra Leone.
A successful consultancy will be one that:
- Delineates a pathway for smart subsidies design and application that encourages long-term private sector investment to expand up-line distribution and farmer outreach while concurrently driving farmers’ demand for improved inputs and advisory services.
- Builds buy-in, enthusiasm and commitment from key stakeholders.
Objectives & Deliverables:
- To design and to develop a market-driven ag-input “smart subsidy” pilot and associated management system and guide
- To outline contextual dynamics/drivers required for effective implementation and uptake of the smart subsidies program by various stakeholders
Required Skills
Skills and Experience Required
- Extensive experience and technical expertise in designing, developing and implementing market driven/smart subsidy projects, including innovative mechanisms such as conditional transfers and voucher programmes.
- Experience with agricultural and ag-inputs markets and development programming a strong plus.
- Strong research and analytical experience.
- Ability to engage and negotiate with various stakeholders including relevant ministries to have a common vision in implementing the smart subsidies intervention.
- Willingness to undertake extensive field research and travel as needed and to work in difficult and at times inconvenient circumstances and still get the job done to high-quality standards and in a timely manner
- Proven ability to work independently and to structure and manage complex tasks
- Excellent client management and facilitation skills
Prior experience in West Africa preferred
More Information
- Job City Freetown