Business Development Officer – ZOA
Agriculture
ZOA
Almost four decades ago, ZOA was initiated as a true ‘civil society’ initiative. In 1973, a group of Christian students took a stand and organised support for refugees in Indo-China.[1] The 1970s were a time when large groups of people in Dutch society became involved in voicing political protest but the founders of the organisation took their voice one step further and emphasized the importance of responding in concrete and tangible ways. Their initiative became the starting point for the current organisation known as ZOA, and their original motivation remains today. ZOA has always emphasised the need to translate compassion and concern about the lives and circumstances of the displaced into concrete action.
Over the years, ZOA has grown from a small organisation, with limited capacity for practical support in only a few countries, to a professional organisation that runs high quality, integrated programmes for people affected by conflict or disaster in 10 to 15 African and Asian countries. In addition to receiving private support and funding from the Netherlands, ZOA has a variety of institutional donors and partners around the world. What has remained throughout its development is ZOA’s commitment and determination to contribute to bringing real, tangible, and sustainable change to the lives of people affected by conflict and disaster. Thus, the organisation serves as a means by which thousands of people in Dutch society can contribute to bringing hope to people in despair in a way that is compliant with contemporary professional standards for relief and development. As such, ZOA has remained a ‘civil society’ organisation with strong roots in Dutch society, particularly among Christians. We maintain a strong connection with our constituency through networks of schools, churches, businesses, private donors, and volunteers. At the same time, ZOA has developed into a reliable and effective partner to a variety of institutional actors in the Netherlands, Europe, and beyond.
What has also remained is the Christian inspiration. At ZOA, we are motivated by the biblical message of reconciliation and restoration for a broken world. We believe that Christian organisations like ZOA have a specific responsibility to contribute to bringing hope for the benefit of all people, particularly those in vulnerable positions. The gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to pursue and promote justice and to support people in situations of suffering and injustice, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
ZOA’s vision
“In a world full of conflict, injustice, poverty, and disaster, we want to contribute to signs of hope and restoration. We see this being revealed where people experience peace, justice, and mutual trust again, and where they regain personal dignity and confidence. ZOA acts and contributes with the biblical perspective of God’s Kingdom, which will bring reconciliation and restoration to its full extent. Meanwhile, God calls us to do justice and be faithful to people that need our support.”
ZOA Mission
“ZOA supports people who suffer because of armed conflict or natural disasters, in helping them to rebuild their livelihoods. We call on our constituency and partners, in the North and in the South, to take responsibility and get involved. We provide maximum added value to those we support and those who support us.”
We are here for our neighbors in need, who are suffering in this broken world.
ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.
ZOA is looking for a
Business Development Officer
ZOA’s programme in Ethiopia
ZOA works in several regions in Ethiopia: Gambella Regional State (field office in Gambella Town), Somali Regional State (field office in Dolo Ado and Melkadida refugee camp), Tigray Regional State (field office in Shire and Mekelle), Oromia Regional State (field office in Harar), Amhara and Addis Ababa. In Ethiopia, ZOA works with Internally Displaced People (IDPs), host populations, persons with disabilities, returnees, and a large population of refugees who fled a combination of violence and drought in Somalia, South Sudan and Eritrea.
What we offer
He/she plans, organizes, coordinates and monitors the activities in the program office and coordinates this with the other related FSL officers in the camps and hosting communities; facilitates and follows up recruitment of agriculture & livelihood animators based on ZOA’s rules and regulations; prepares activity plans and budgets; facilitates and closely works on provision of all necessary inputs for the agriculture, value chain and livelihood activities; conducts assessment of agriculture and livelihood, and market development related programs; prepares and submits periodic project activity reports.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
- Preparing project implementation plans for all activities FSL and market and business-related trainings in camps/host
- Compile monthly and quarterly reports to ARRA and UNHCR at camp and for ZOA livelihoods and food security project coordinator
- Working with camp level UN, gov’t and other officials to ensure smooth implementation of projects
- Ensure technical quality and accuracy of ZOA livelihoods interventions in Itang woreda and Itang refugee camps
- Conduct regular field visits to project sites to verify quality/progress of VST, BST and other market related trainings
- Conduct market development, BST and VST trainings for refugees and hosting communities.
- Closely work the implementation of the agriculture based Vocational Skills Training (VST) and Business skill trainings basically on crop/vegetable production, livestock and livestock products, livelihood and agricultural activities in a timely manner with both refugees and the host community in camp and woreda/village settings.
- Facilitate MSD related training activities with agriculture and natural resource bureau experts/ training providers as needed
- Develop new project ideas/proposals on market, agriculture and value chain development
- Ensure technical quality and accuracy of ZOA agricultural, food security, market/value chain and livelihood projects/activities
- Provide quality & timely reports, life stories and lesson learnt with proper documentation
- Conduct related assessments and stakeholder analysis
- Follow-up and supports the preparation of reports for the concerned government offices and donors
- Acquaint new agricultural technology & disseminate to the rural community and in refugee camp setting
- Serve as a bridge between Host communities & refugees’ production, market and integration
- Undertake all activities related agriculture production & development including study the market for community development and value chains
- Strengthen the relationships with similar stalk holders in Gambella, like Gambella university, cooperative bureau, and Gambella research center for the sustainability of the project and strong collaboration
- Performs other related tasks as required and requested from ZOA.
Dealing with Problems:
- The Business development officer will work with the Livelihood and food security officers, facilitators, DAs and farmers/refugees to provide guidance at the program office level as well as oversee BST, VST and market related activities through providing technical support and guidance.
Communications and Working Relationships:
- Should be able to have a medium level of interaction with government officials to facilitate project activities
Qualifications and experiences
- BSc or Master’s Degree in value chain management, agribusiness, economics, rural development and agricultural economics or other relevant field preferred
- Minimum 4 years’ for degree and 2 years for masters relevant professional experience regarding agricultural and business, working with refugees
- Proven experience in Gambella region with hosting communities and refugees and like the sector
Skills Specific to the Post
- Commitment to the vision and mission of ZOA Relief to recovery
- Excellent understanding of local context preferred
- Demonstrated ability to meet strict deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members in a cross-cultural environment
- Ability to work in hardship condition
- Good Communications Skill both English and local language
Accountability
- Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving results in line with ZOA core values
- Good knowledge of CHS, SPHERE Standards and capacitate staff and partners to work in adherence these standards
- Adheres to our Code of Conduct including child safeguarding and PSEA Standards
Ambition
- Sets ambitious and challenging goals for self
- Widely shares personal vision for ZOA, engages and motivates others
- Future oriented, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration
- Builds and maintains effective relationships, with own team, colleagues, members, donors and partners
- Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
- Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity
- Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
- Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity
- Honest, encourages openness and transparency
- Always acts in the best interests of children
