Project Lead/Value Chain Expert (Cassava)
Job Description
Project Lead/Value Chain Expert (Cassava)
GIZ-Led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project, Sierra Leone
| Number of positions | 1 |
| Duty station | Bo, with regular travel to project locations. |
| Contract | Fixed-term position for the project implementation period, subject to organizational requirements and satisfactory performance. |
| Reporting to | Country Representative/Programme Manager or designated Solidaridad Senior Representative. |
About the Opportunity
Solidaridad Network West Africa is seeking a Project Lead/Value Chain Expert to provide overall leadership of the GIZ-led Cassava Value Chain Improvement Project in Sierra Leone, “Cultivate Better, Earn More: Integrated Farmer Training, Inclusive Out-Grower Scheme Development and Institutional Strengthening for the Cassava Value Chain in Sierra Leone”. The project runs for 36 months and Solidaridad is an implementation partner.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide overall leadership of the project and lead the development and implementation of workplans.
- Coordinate the project team, including the Field Coordinator and the Outgrower Scheme Coordinator, and supervise delivery of project activities.
- Provide technical leadership across farmer training, out-grower scheme development and institutional strengthening in the cassava value chain.
- Prepare donor reports and ensure timely, accurate reporting to GIZ and Solidaridad in line with project agreement requirements.
- Oversee budgets, activity planning and implementation schedules, ensuring compliance with the project agreement and Solidaridad procedures.
- Coordinate engagement with farmers, farmer organizations, private-sector actors, government and other project stakeholders.
- Coordinate monitoring, evaluation and learning activities and use evidence to improve implementation.
- Identify implementation risks and develop practical mitigation measures.
- Integrate gender equality, youth inclusion, safeguarding and environmental responsibility in implementation.
- Maintain a timesheet and project documentation in line with Solidaridad and donor requirements.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree (or a bachelor’s degree with substantial relevant experience) in agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, rural development, international development or a related field.
- Substantial progressively responsible experience in agricultural value-chain development, preferably including cassava or another food-crop value chain.
- Demonstrated experience managing donor-funded projects, including planning, budgeting and donor reporting.
- Experience working with smallholder farmers, farmer organizations and private-sector actors, including farmer training and out-grower or contract-farming models.
- Knowledge of the Sierra Leone agricultural sector and operating context.
- Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Krio and/or relevant local languages is an advantage.
Core Competencies
- Strategic project leadership and value-chain expertise.
- Team leadership, stakeholder coordination and partnership building.
- Budget and results management, report writing and documentation.
- Negotiation, problem-solving and sound decision-making.
- Integrity, accountability and commitment to inclusion and safeguarding.
What success looks like
- Timely delivery of approved workplans, milestones and reports.
- Quality of coordination and stakeholder engagement.
- Progress toward the project results in farmer training, out-grower schemes and institutional strengthening.
- Accuracy of budget tracking and compliance with donor and organizational procedures.
Common Employment and Safeguarding Statement
Solidaridad Network West Africa is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, experience and organizational requirements, without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, age, marital status, pregnancy, political opinion, sexual orientation or other protected status.
All successful candidates will be required to comply with Solidaridad’s policies and procedures, including its code of conduct, safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, anti-fraud, anti-corruption, confidentiality, health and safety, and data-protection requirements. Employment will be subject to satisfactory reference checks and any other pre-employment screening required by the organization.
We encourage applications from qualified women, young professionals and persons with disabilities who meet the requirements of the job.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- A cover letter explaining their suitability for the position.
- An updated CV, including contact details for at least three professional referees.
- Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates, where requested.
Applications should be submitted to vacancies.GH@solidaridadnetwork.org by 6 November 2026, using the position title as the email subject line. Applicants must clearly indicate the district in Sierra Leone for which they are applying from.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
