Swaziland_Support for the High Value Crop and Horticulture Project (HVCHP)

The High Value Crop and Horticulture Project (HVCHP) seeks to increase the contribution of the agricultural sector to poverty reduction in Swaziland by creating pro-poor growth, securing livelihoods of small holder farmers by providing them marketing opportunities and providing locally produced diversified food on the market.

The aim is to maximise on the potentials such as favourable climate and good soils; the availability of surplus water and adequate land as well as an existing localised vegetable production.

The project seeks to achieve the following three results:

Result 1: National, regional and international markets identified and supplied with high quality produce

Result 2: Land developed and farmer companies strengthened to profitably produce a range of high value commodities in the LUSIP I area

Result 3: Pack-house hub-based zones developed

The Advisor will be based at the SWADE offices in Siphofaneni and under the direction of the Team Leader will work through the office of the SWADE ADEMU Manager in strengthening, advising and assisting the business unit in their role in developing the smallholder businesses under the HVCHP and other 11th EDF sector projects.

Under these projects the largest requirement falls under the HVCHP with some assistance and oversight being required for the formation of the smallholder businesses and the formal and informal water user gruops (WUGs) created under the downstream development of the WHDP.  It is envisaged that 75% of the input would be spent with HVCHP and 20% with WHDP.  In addition, assistance may be required by  the Livestock Development Project (5%), which is the third 11th EDF project currently under formulation. 

The key responsibilities would include:

  • Support, guidance and capacity development  of the HVCHP business unit (BU) in its formulation of farm plans and business plans; this includes for each farming company (FC): cropping mixes, gross margins, infrastructural and machinery requirements as well as developing full financials for 6-10 years; the Adviser will ensure effective liaison with the Agri-Business Unit in the MoA.
  • The envisaged areas of activity are: LUSIP infill, Lavumisa, Nhlangano and Tshaneni (or another location in the Northern Lowveld);
  • Assist the BU in preparing documentation and facilitating the FCs to obtain counterpart funding from the DFIs/commercial banks;
  • Support the BU in their facilitation role of other business entities which may be  created to support the agricultural development under HVCHP; these may include machinery service providers, packhouse companies or transport providers. BU would  assist in the development of these businesses in the same way as for the Fcs;
  • Assist SWADE in the development of training programmes for the boards, management and shareholders of these companies and FCs in aspects of business management critical to their successful development;
  • Guide and assist the BU and other SWADE NAMBoard facilitator teams in the developement of appropriate business models under the WHDP. Models more suitable to the size of holding/land per homestead / household are to be considered, as are appropiate and simpler forms of legal entity, reducing the need for statutory requirements and minimising the tax burden;
  • Support the  BU and other SWADE NAMBoard facilitator teams in their WHDP farmer group formation and training and capacity building work;
  • Undertake other any other tasks as directed by the Team Leader.
Qualifications: 
  • University post graduate degree in a relevant discipline (agriculture, agriculture economics, business management/administration, marketing, etc.),
  • Alternatively, a basic degree in a relevant area with at least 5 years additional experience above the general professional experience indicated below;
  • Proven facilitation and training skills;
  • Fluency in both written and spoken English.

General professional experience

  • Minimum 5 years but preferably 10 years’ practical working experience in the field of expertise;
  • Proven developing country experience in facilitating the development of farmer associations for smallholders or small business development;
  • Management experience in commercial production of horticultural crops would be a distinct advantage.

Specific professional experience

  • Managing and supervising teams of trainers and facilitators;
  • Proven experience in smallholder farm planning, business development and facilitation;
  • Experience in training and mentoring farmers groups;
  • Experience working with private sector, public institutions and parastatal service providers;
  • Experience working with extension programmes and familiarity with a range of extension approaches will be an advantage;
  • Previous work experience in Southern Africa will be an advantage.
Start / Duration: 

April 2018

Please send your most recent CV to: barbara.braun [at] afci.de


Please note, that only shortlisted experts will be contacted