Value Chain and Access to Market Expert

Job Description

Invitation for Applications

Country: Somaliland
Project Holder: Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD)
Project: Climate Smart Agriculture in Sanaag Project
Fund: Somaliland Development Fund – Phase 3 (SDF3)
IFA Title: Value Chain and Access to Market Expert – MoAD
Duration: 12 months, renewable based on performance
IFA No.: P103-034

Project Background

The Somaliland Development Fund – Phase 3 (SDF3) covers the period 2025–2028, with the possibility of a two-year extension. The programme aims to strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in Somaliland while creating income and employment opportunities to reduce poverty. SDF3 aligns with the National Development Plan III (NDP3) and reflects the priorities of Somaliland Vision 2030. Funding is provided by Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

The SDF3 Joint Steering Committee has approved the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Project in Sanaag, which seeks to transition subsistence farming into resilient, inclusive, and market-oriented agricultural systems. The project will target 4,500 households in Erigavo and El-Afwein districts. It will address climate and market challenges through climate-resilient infrastructure, drought-tolerant crops, good agricultural practices, integrated pest management, and solar-powered irrigation systems.

The project also includes capacity building, strengthening of farmer cooperatives, and value chain development. Guided by a triple dividend approach, the project aims to enhance climate resilience, increase farmers’ incomes, expand market participation, and promote social inclusion for women, youth, and marginalized groups.

Position Overview

Following project approval, the Somaliland Development Fund intends to recruit a Value Chain and Access to Market Expert to join the Project Management Team (PMT), in line with the approved proposal and the SDF3 Operational Guidelines (September 2025).

The selected expert will lead interventions focused on increasing farmer incomes and strengthening the commercial viability of farmer cooperatives under the Sanaag Climate Smart Agriculture Project. The SDF Secretariat invites qualified professionals to apply for this position.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Academic Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Marketing, or a closely related field
• At least 5 years of experience facilitating trainings and managing stakeholders
• Excellent command of spoken and written English

General Professional Experience

• At least 12 years of experience in value chain development, market systems development, and inclusive business models
• At least 5 years of experience working on donor-funded or government-led projects focused on market access and cooperative development

Specific Professional Experience

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience developing and implementing market linkages for smallholder producers, including formal contracts and functional Management Information Systems (MIS) for real-time pricing and demand
• At least 3 years of experience strengthening producer cooperatives and delivering value chain interventions benefiting at least 1,000 farming households
• At least 3 years of experience overseeing post-harvest infrastructure and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and facilitating financial partnerships to improve access to credit and financial literacy
• Proven experience in establishing or strengthening at least five primary producer cooperatives as commercially functioning entities

As part of the selection process, candidates may be asked to submit verifiable project reports from their most recent or relevant assignments. Applicants may include links to publicly available reports as part of their application.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to the Somaliland Development Fund Secretariat via email at jobs@sdf-secretariat.org.

In the cover letter, applicants should clearly explain how they meet the criteria outlined in this advertisement. Applications must be received no later than 26 January 2026 at 16:00 hours East African Standard Time. Applicants must clearly state the position title in the email subject line.

The full Terms of Reference are available on the SDF website.

Any attempt to influence the recruitment process, including canvassing, will result in automatic disqualification.

Additional Information

• This position is open to both international and Somaliland nationals
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply