The National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASAM), in collaboration with the Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE) Programme, invites applications from qualified and experienced individuals to serve as Business Coaches to support Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) across selected districts in Malawi.

The TRADE Programme is a six-year initiative co-financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). The programme aims to improve the sustainable livelihoods of rural households by promoting agricultural commercialization, strengthening farmer organizations, and enhancing market participation among smallholder farmers.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct rapid organizational capacity assessments and develop coaching plans with measurable targets.
• Strengthen FBO governance, leadership, financial systems, share/membership growth, and service delivery.
• Hand held FBOs in achieving 4P partnerships, contract farming, and market linkages with off-takers and processors.
• Strengthen aggregation of the TRADE programme targeted commodities.
• Support development of business plans, grant proposals, and equipment hire schemes.
• Improve participation of farmers in FBOs activities and accessing of services.
• Facilitate the development and adoption of record-keeping tools.
• Promote inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in leadership and decision-making

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Community Development, or related field.
• General Experience: Minimum 3 years in value chain development, adult learning, commodity marketing, and business coaching for FBOs/cooperatives.
• Specific Professional Knowledge (certification or proven experience required): FO Business Training & Coaching Cycle, SIYB, SME Loop, or SHEP Approach.
• Cross-cutting: Demonstrated experience mainstreaming gender, youth, nutrition, environment, and disability inclusion.
• Proof: Provide CV, copies of similar assignment contracts (title & signature pages), and Business Coaching Certification.

• Conduct rapid organizational capacity assessments and develop coaching plans with measurable targets.
• Strengthen FBO governance, leadership, financial systems, share/membership growth, and service delivery.
• Hand held FBOs in achieving 4P partnerships, contract farming, and market linkages with off-takers and processors.
• Strengthen aggregation of the TRADE programme targeted commodities.
• Support development of business plans, grant proposals, and equipment hire schemes.
• Improve participation of farmers in FBOs activities and accessing of services.
• Facilitate the development and adoption of record-keeping tools.
• Promote inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in leadership and decision-making

• Value chain development
• Adult learning
• Commodity marketing
• Business coaching for FBOs/cooperatives
• FO Business Training & Coaching Cycle
• SIYB
• SME Loop
• SHEP Approach
• Mainstreaming gender, youth, nutrition, environment, and disability inclusion

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Community Development, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years in value chain development, adult learning, commodity marketing, and business coaching for FBOs/cooperatives.
• Specific Professional Knowledge (certification or proven experience required): FO Business Training & Coaching Cycle, SIYB, SME Loop, or SHEP Approach.
• Demonstrated experience mainstreaming gender, youth, nutrition, environment, and disability inclusion.
• Proof: Provide CV, copies of similar assignment contracts (title & signature pages), and Business Coaching Certification.