The Marketing Officer (MO) will contribute to the planning and implementation of strategic and product marketing for smallholder farmers. The MO will lead business development initiatives to support small-scale farmers and enterprises. The MO will link farmers to markets, expand awareness, and build market share to increase overall profit for farmers. The MO will empower small-scale farmers and enterprises to transition to sustainable livelihood and a safe food ecosystem by simplifying fresh fruits, vegetables, roots, and tubers, etc. trade between enterprises and farmers. She/he will explore ways to leverage the power of the internet and mobile ubiquity to provide direct market linkages between smallholder farmers and buyers in urban Liberia.

Reports to: Program Manager (Food Security & Livelihood Enhancement)

Staff directly reporting to this post: Non

Founded in 2000, Volunteers for Sustainable Development in Africa (VOSIEDA) is a Liberian nonprofit and a network of development professionals working to promote prosperity, reduce extreme poverty, and strengthen peace and stability in Liberia and West Africa’s Mano River Union Basin region. VOSIEDA’s work focuses on saving the planet and fighting extreme poverty among women, youth, children, and other excluded groups. We advance community solutions to address development challenges and empower local people to care for nature that sustains all lives.

VOSIEDA works across five signature programs to empower and support local communities to promote sustainable development to end extreme poverty, its root causes, and consequences in Liberia and West Africa’s Mano River Basin region, including 1). Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability, 2) Food Security & Livelihoods Enhancement, 3) Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality, 4) Governance & Social Development, 5) Media & Civic Society Strengthening.

• Identify and Mapp major buyers of food commodities such as supermarkets, hospitals, hotels, etc.
• Using the making markets work better for the poor (M4P) framework, link small-scale farmers to market using ICT.
• Provides smallholder farmers with a platform to sell their agricultural, horticultural, and livestock products to buyers using a mobile phone.
• Matches farmers to potential buyers within their proximity and enable transactions without the presence of a middleman or broker.
• Provides farmers with information on market prices and agricultural news updates.
• Visit farmers to provide them with information on the use of the marketing platform and onboard them as users.
• Devise and manage local marketing initiatives, including traditional and digital media.
• Perform marketing research to better identify target audiences and needs.
• Create sales growth opportunities by developing community relations and identifying referral sources.
• Perform research on consumers’ preferences, and share findings with the small-scale farmers.
• Visit small-scale farmers to promote business development strategies.
• Advertise farms products on our marketing platforms.
• Coordinate transport and delivery services of farmers’ goods to potential buyers.
• Perform other tasks as would be assigned by supervisors.

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modeling VOSIEDA’s values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve.
• performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
• Widely shares their vision for VOSIEDA, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated and thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members, and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Four (4) year degree, preferably in Marketing, Advertising, or related field.
• Entry-level marketing experience with a minimum of 2-4 years in coordinating marketing and/or advertising campaigns, including online placements.
• Self-starter who can work independently as part of a national team.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Unparalleled communication, writing, and editing skills required.
• Ability to adapt and pick up new techniques.
• Proficiency with computer software such as website editing and various social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr
• Interest and knowledge of current events and marketing trends within a specific geographic area(s).
• Good communication skills
• Superior problem-solving skills
• Strong leadership qualities
• Broad knowledge of business development and agriculture.
• Strategic thinker
• Budget management experience
• People-management skills
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English and knowledge of French will be an asset
• Ability to work within a team

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess the ability and capability to perform any task in office and outside office environment. Must be able to lift 15 lbs. or more, be able to physically sit for hours in a vehicle, and have excellent visual and hearing acuity.
• The ability to ride a motor is an asset.

Please write an English letter of application stating clearly, what motivates you to apply for the above position and how your qualifications and experience are relevant to the post. Include a copy of your CV, application letter, and the names and contact information of three references. Do not send original hard copies documents, as these will not be returned to you. Submitting false information will result in your application being disqualified.

Please submit applications with the subject title “Marketing Officer Position”

Application [Your Name]”:

In VOSIEDA office or e-mail applications to info@vosieda.org

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a written exam and/or interview. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: March 15th, 2022 before 5:00pm