Position Overview

The Partnership and Sales Officer will be a key leadership role responsible for driving revenue growth and expanding market demand for KickStart technologies within the assigned region in Malawi. This role involves working closely with partners and individuals through private sector dealerships and joint programming efforts to improve sales and usage of the brand’s technologies. The successful candidate will support the Senior PSO in reaching the overarching goal of alleviating poverty in Malawi by facilitating access to essential irrigation technologies.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Management and Target Achievement

Ensure all donor-funded project activities and targets for the assigned region are met and exceeded.

2. Dealer / Partnership Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with dealers, ensuring they have adequate stock of pumps, accessories, and promotional materials to facilitate effective sales.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, acting as a primary point of contact and ensuring ongoing collaboration.
• Proactively address partner needs and concerns, resolving issues and ensuring partnership success.
• Regularly review and assess partnership performance, identifying areas for improvement and optimization.

3. Field Marketing and Sales Support

• Collaborate with the Senior PSO to execute marketing activities and ensure effective outreach in the field.
• Drive sales efforts within the partnership ecosystem, setting clear targets and monitoring performance against key metrics.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., marketing, product) to develop joint sales strategies and resources.
• Represent the organization at industry events and partner meetings, building strong relationships and promoting partnerships.

4. Strategic Partnership Development

• Engage potential partner organizations, government agencies, and farmer groups to foster sales initiatives and promote KickStart technologies.
• Identify, research, and evaluate potential partnership opportunities that align with organization goals and market needs.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive partnership strategy, including target partner profiles, go-to-market plans, and performance metrics.
• Negotiate and finalize partnership agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial terms and conditions.

5. Partner Training and Research Analysis

• Deliver training to partner organization staff, farmer groups, and stakeholders on irrigation practices and the importance of sustainable farming.
• Track and analyze partnership performance, providing regular reports on key metrics and insights.
• Identify trends and opportunities for improvement, informing future partnership strategies.
• Stay informed about industry trends and competitor activities, identifying potential partnerships and opportunities.

6. Dealer Training

Provide training for dealers on product knowledge, branding, stock management, and customer engagement techniques.

7. Representation

Act as the representative for KickStart in stakeholder forums to communicate the organization’s mission and strategies effectively.

8. Asset Management

Oversee all KickStart assets and resources within the assigned region to ensure proper usage and management.

9. Market Testing

Work with the Product Innovation and Development team to carry out market tests for new products and services.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in partnership development, sales, or business development.
• Proven track record of successfully identifying, negotiating, and managing partnerships.
• Strong understanding of sales processes and strategies.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sales and Marketing, Agribusiness or equivalent experience.
• Experience with CRM systems and other sales tools.
• Willingness to travel at least 60% of time.
• Proficiency in English and Chichewa is needed. Knowledge of any additional indigenous language will be an added advantage.

KickStart Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals.

• Ensure all donor-funded project activities and targets for the assigned region are met and exceeded.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with dealers, ensuring they have adequate stock of pumps, accessories, and promotional materials to facilitate effective sales.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, acting as a primary point of contact and ensuring ongoing collaboration.
• Proactively address partner needs and concerns, resolving issues and ensuring partnership success.
• Regularly review and assess partnership performance, identifying areas for improvement and optimization.
• Collaborate with the Senior PSO to execute marketing activities and ensure effective outreach in the field.
• Drive sales efforts within the partnership ecosystem, setting clear targets and monitoring performance against key metrics.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., marketing, product) to develop joint sales strategies and resources.
• Represent the organization at industry events and partner meetings, building strong relationships and promoting partnerships.
• Engage potential partner organizations, government agencies, and farmer groups to foster sales initiatives and promote KickStart technologies.
• Identify, research, and evaluate potential partnership opportunities that align with organization goals and market needs.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive partnership strategy, including target partner profiles, go-to-market plans, and performance metrics.
• Negotiate and finalize partnership agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial terms and conditions.
• Deliver training to partner organization staff, farmer groups, and stakeholders on irrigation practices and the importance of sustainable farming.
• Track and analyze partnership performance, providing regular reports on key metrics and insights.
• Identify trends and opportunities for improvement, informing future partnership strategies.
• Stay informed about industry trends and competitor activities, identifying potential partnerships and opportunities.
• Provide training for dealers on product knowledge, branding, stock management, and customer engagement techniques.
• Act as the representative for KickStart in stakeholder forums to communicate the organization’s mission and strategies effectively.
• Oversee all KickStart assets and resources within the assigned region to ensure proper usage and management.
• Work with the Product Innovation and Development team to carry out market tests for new products and services.

• Strong understanding of sales processes and strategies.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with CRM systems and other sales tools.
• Proficiency in English and Chichewa.

• 5 years of experience in partnership development, sales, or business development.
• Proven track record of successfully identifying, negotiating, and managing partnerships.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sales and Marketing, Agribusiness or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to travel at least 60% of time.
• Knowledge of any additional indigenous language will be an added advantage.