Summary: is a private German consulting firm based in Bonn, founded in 1973, that works on agricultural, agribusiness, and financial development projects in de...

Job Details

  • Deadline: September 28, 2026
  • Company: Liberia HR
  • Location: Montserrado
  • Employment Type: Full time fix term
  • Salary: negotiable

Job Description

Location

Montserrado

Salary

negotiable

Job type

Full time fix term

Posted

2 days ago

Category

Agriculture & Farming

Deadline

September 28, 2026

Background of the Organizations

GOPA AFC GmbH

is a private German consulting firm based in Bonn, founded in 1973, that works on agricultural, agribusiness, and financial development projects in developing and transition countries. It has implemented projects in more than 120 countries for clients including the EU, AFD, GIZ, KfW, the World Bank, and several development banks. The firm has worked extensively on the cassava value chain in Nigeria and Ghana, including the GIZ-funded SEDIN and AgriBiz programs. Part of the GOPA Group and certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, it serves as the lead partner for this consortium.

IRAM (Institut de Recherches et d’Applications des Méthodes de Développement)

is a Paris-based associative consultancy firm that has worked in international development since 1957, operating in about 40 countries with a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, economists, sociologists, and development specialists. It has a record of Expertise France contracts, including the AFIDEC project in Comoros, the PGE Gabes in Tunisia, and the PAGOF project in West Africa, as well as extensive technical assistance for AFD and the EU. Its cassava work includes value chain analysis and extension strategy development in the D.R. Congo. IRAM is the consortium partner.

BASA Development Initiatives (BDI)

is a legally registered Liberian non-profit and non-governmental organization with a mission to empower women, youth, and communities through sustainable, locally led development that improves livelihoods, strengthens resilience, and advances inclusive social and economic growth. Its main intervention areas are agribusiness, environmental sustainability, education, youth and women empowerment, and health and nutrition. BDI has implemented work funded by the Global Environment Facility, the European Union, and GIZ. The EU-funded Cassava Transformation Project in southeast Liberia provided business support services and training in climate-smart agriculture and good agricultural practices across Maryland, Sinoe, and River Gee counties. BDI is built on the principle of local ownership, with Liberians championing their own development.

Project Background

The GOPA AFC–IRAM consortium, with its Liberian sub-contractor BASA Development Initiatives (BDI), is being awarded

“Strengthening the cassava value chain in Liberia – boosting sustainable production, processing, and market access”

(Lot 1), a technical assistance assignment tendered by Expertise France under the Liberia Private Sector Development Project and funded by the European Union. Cassava contributes about 23% of Liberia’s agricultural GDP, but yields are low. The assignment addresses these gaps through five results across the value chain. Results 1 to 3 target the core segments: production, processing, and marketing. Results 4 and 5 operate at the meso level, focusing on service provision and stakeholder organization. Cross-cutting attention goes to food security, poverty reduction, gender, youth, and people with disabilities. A team of seven subject-matter specialists will deliver the work, covering value chain development, production, processing, marketing, finance, social inclusion, and monitoring and evaluation, and will be complemented by local experts and facilitators. The GOPA AFC–IRAM–BDI team is now recruiting a Team Leader / Senior Value Chain Expert (Cassava) to lead a team of international and Liberian experts.

Job Title

Team Leader / Senior Value Chain Expert (Cassava)

Monrovia, frequent travel to Gbarpolu, Nimba, Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Rural Montserrado.

Project

Cassava Value Chain Development Component under the EU-funded Private Sector Development Project

Reporting to

Principal Technical Backstopping Lead

Status

National / International

Duration

6 months with renewal based on performance

Job Overview

The Team Lead provides overall leadership, strategic direction, and coordination for the project, designing and implementing interventions that strengthen the cassava value chain from production through processing to market access. The role brings public and private stakeholders together farmer organizations, MSMEs, cooperatives, and government through multi-actor platforms, oversees capacity-building for farmers, extension agents, and value chain actors, strengthens market linkages and inclusive business models such as contract farming, promotes climate-smart production and MSME value addition, and ensures gender equality and youth inclusion across all activities, while leading planning, monitoring, and reporting to donor standards.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and coordination for the project.
  • Design and implement interventions to strengthen the cassava value chain, from production through processing to market access.
  • Facilitate collaboration among public and private stakeholders, including farmer organizations, MSMEs, cooperatives, and government institutions.
  • Establish and support multi-actor platforms and coordination mechanisms for inclusive value chain development.
  • Oversee the development and delivery of capacity-building programmes for farmers, extension agents, and value chain actors.
  • Strengthen market linkages, including structured buyer–seller relationships and inclusive business models (e.g., contract farming).
  • Promote sustainable production practices, including climate-smart approaches, improved seed systems, and mechanization.
  • Support MSME development in cassava processing and related value addition (e.g., gari, flour, starch, by-products).

Ensure integration of

gender equality and youth empowerment

across all project activities.

  • Lead project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting in line with donor requirements.
  • Liaise closely with project steering committees, advisory bodies, and donor representatives.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Advanced university degree (master’s or PhD) in

agriculture, agronomy, agribusiness, economics, or a related field

.

Minimum of

10 years of professional experience

in agricultural value chain development, with substantial experience in

cassava or other staple crops in Sub-Saharan Africa

Proven track record of

leading complex, multi-stakeholder, donor-funded projects

preferably in rural development or agrifood systems transformation.

Demonstrated experience in coordinating

large, multi-disciplinary teams

and managing high-level stakeholder engagement processes.

Strong expertise in

  • Value chain analysis and development
  • Capacity development and extension systems
  • Market access and private sector engagement
  • Organizational strengthening of farmer groups and umbrella bodies

Solid understanding of

inclusive approaches

including support to smallholders, MSMEs, and cooperatives.

Experience with

monitoring systems, performance tracking, and impact assessments

Familiarity with

EU-funded projects

is an asset.

Prior experience in

West Africa (preferably Liberia or neighboring countries)

is highly desirable.

Preferred Profile

  • Extensive hands-on experience across all segments of the cassava value chain, including input systems, production, aggregation, processing, and marketing.

Strong background in facilitating

multi-actor platforms

public-private dialogue, and sector coordination mechanisms.

Proven experience in designing and delivering

training programs on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), business skills, and farmer organization

development.

Experience working with

extension systems

research institutions, and service providers to reach large numbers of smallholder farmers.

Demonstrated ability to promote

innovation and climate-smart solutions

including improved varieties, mechanization, and service delivery models.

Track record in supporting

MSMEs and value addition

including linking processors to markets and strengthening business performance.

Experience integrating

gender mainstreaming and youth inclusion

into agricultural development programs.

  • Excellent project management, coordination, and reporting skills in line with international donor standards.

Fluency in

English

additional languages relevant to West Africa are an advantage.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter to

recruitment@basadev.org

with

“

in the subject line. The CV should detail relevant experience in the value chain and donor-funded projects, and the cover letter should explain your suitability for the role and your availability. Please include the names and contact details of at least two professional references. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. The deadline for application submission is 28 September 2026 at 5pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Apply for this job

How to Apply

Apply by email: recruitment@basadev.org

Application link: Apply for this job