Vanilla Centres Of Excellence (VCoE) Scale up Manager

Full Job Description

• Conduct site visits to 8 existing VCOEs (4 regions with a focus on Kagera, Kilimanjaro,and Morogoro) and interview company management and existing VCoEagents/management to understand current model (structure, economics, what’s working well/not, emerging initiatives such as improved agroforestry that could impact the model,etc).
  
• Based on interviews and assessment, review economic feasibility; advise on optimal and practical business model(s) for VCoEs that reflect the reality on the ground, including opportunities to improve the model.
  
• Review parameters for identifying and testing various VCoE models/pilots; and propose modifications required to maximize viability and/or scalability of VCoE model. Evaluate and consider performance of existing VCoE pilots, and observations made on
  
• benefits/drawbacks of different ownership models, geographic locations, staff structure etc.).
  
• Based on above, refine (and agree with Company management) criteria for selecting sites and entrepreneurs, as well as capacity gaps and support needs, for VCoEs going forward.
  
• Assess value proposition for farmer investment in vanilla cultivation; explore and determine possible risk-mitigation strategies (e.g. improved agroforestry practices, vine subsidy mechanisms).
  
• Summarize key success factors and risk mitigation measures for future VCoE model based on the above.
  

• Select optimal sites and entrepreneurs to pilot new VCoEs
  
• Review and compare performance of existing and new VCoEs; iterate and adapt quickly/nimbly based on progress on the ground; make recommendations to Company on which VCoEs to prioritize and scale up based on performance and which to drop using a fail fast approach.
  
• Identify additional financing/funding needs to scale up VCoE model; explore (and support) possible opportunities for entrepreneurs or Company to access funding to address these gaps.
  
• Advise on Company management structure/resources needed to manage VCoE model; agree on adjusted organogram (as appropriate).
  
• Support hiring and/or training of existing/new staff to support above proposed management structure.
  

• Support selected VCoEs on business plan development, to demonstrate/ measure economic feasibility
  
• Facilitate training (directly or via 3rd parties as appropriate) to develop franchisee operational and financial management skills
  
• Facilitate training (directly or via 3rd parties as appropriate) to develop micro-franchisee business skills
  

• Support Company team to identify an approach to deliver broader agroforestry support as part of VCoE model, including assessing skills, resources, and capital investment required to implement successfully
  
• Support Company teams in assessing potential for an agroforestry and carbon credit-based revenue model for VCoEs through e.g., developing and testing qualitative and quantitative assumptions
  

• Determine and lay out key success factors and performance indicators
  
• Support company to create dashboard, track progress and make decisions based on KPI framework
  

• Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience
  
• Advanced degree in business management or other relevant field preferred
  
• At least 8 years of business or project management in a similar context
  
• Should possess excellent agribusiness management skills, and experience working at senior management level within an agribusiness or experience running an agribusiness in the past
  
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• Experience in or passion for implementing field work in a developing country required, experience in Tanzania strongly preferred
  
• Experience working with corporations around shared value initiatives required
  
• Proven analytical and quantitative skills