To provide technical facilitation and field-level support to agribusiness lead firms and commodity groups participating in the SADP II Cluster Matching Grants programme, with a focus on post-harvest value addition, market systems development, business plan support, and grant compliance. The officer will strengthen Public-Private-Producer Partnership (4P) linkages and ensure effective implementation and monitoring of grant-funded agribusiness investments.

Key Outputs / Responsibilities

Facilitate agribusiness grant mobilisation, needs assessment, and application preparation - 25%

Conduct sensitisation meetings targeting agri-business lead firms, commodity- groups, and private sector actors on SADP II Matching Grant opportunities under the 4P window.
Conduct structured needs and market assessments to identify viable post-harvest investment opportunities, market linkages, and partnership structures.
Support commodity groups and lead firms to develop joint business plans, investment cases, and compliant grant applications, including budgets, Activity Implementation Plans (AIPs), and co-financing documentation.
Review draft applications for technical and financial merit before forwarding to the Project Coordinator for quality assurance.

Provide on-site technical assistance and business development support to awarded agribusiness entities - 25%

Conduct regular on-site technical assistance visits to awarded commodity groups and lead firms to verify implementation progress against Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs).
Facilitate training on post-harvest handling, value chain management, agribusiness record keeping, and enterprise governance.
Support commodity groups to establish and operationalise supply agreements, off-take arrangements, and market linkages with lead firms and buyers.
Provide guidance on equipment procurement, quality assurance systems, and compliance with buyer or export standards.

Support financial management, co-financing compliance, and procurement for agribusiness grant recipients - 20%

Assist commodity groups and lead firms to develop and implement procurement plans in compliance with SADP II guidelines.
Verify that co-finance contributions (30% for agri-businesses; 20% for producer groups) are documented and available before disbursement is recommended.
Verify delivery of procured goods and services against agreed specifications.
Support entities to maintain accurate financial records and prepare periodic financial progress reports.

Monitor implementation progress and collect MEAL data for reporting - 20%

Conduct structured monitoring field visits using standardised tools, tracking physical progress, financial utilisation, and DIP milestone achievement.
Document and report on emerging market system changes, enterprise performance, and beneficiary income outcomes.
Collect gender- and youth-disaggregated data on grant beneficiaries and market participants.
Enter monitoring data into WVL's MEAL system within five working days of collection.

Facilitate stakeholder coordination, private sector engagement, and learning - 10%

Liaise with district agricultural offices, commodity associations, financial institutions, and private sector actors to strengthen the 4P partnership model.
Represent WVL at district-level business development and agricultural coordination forums.
Document case studies and lessons learned from agribusiness grant implementation for inclusion in quarterly and final reports.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Experience & Technical Skills

Bachelor's Degree in Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum 2–3 years of experience in agribusiness development, value chain facilitation, or market systems programming.
Experience working with private sector actors, producer organisations, or in a grant management environment is an advantage.
Familiarity with SADP II, IFAD-funded programmes, or matching grant mechanisms is desirable.
Proficiency in Sesotho and English (written and spoken).
Valid driver's licence.

Knowledge/Technical Skills

Knowledge of agricultural value chains, post-harvest management, and agribusiness models in Lesotho.
Ability to facilitate community and private sector engagement processes.
Business plan development and financial analysis skills.
Basic proficiency in data collection, monitoring, and report writing.
Competency in MS Office (Word, Excel).

Core Competencies: