Access to Markets Associate

Duties & Responsibilities

Links to Markets & Sales Conversion

• Provide technical advisory services to drive end-to-end market access and sales outcomes.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously update a reliable production database capturing quantities, product types, seasonal availability, and production capacity.
• Map where participants (young people) position within value chains and identify high-value market opportunities with the greatest income potential.
• Align participant production with market demand (quantity, quality, timing).
• Use production and market data to inform buyer targeting, aggregation planning, and supply-demand alignment.
• Identify, engage, and secure commercial agreements with off-takers and buyers. The goal is to ensure at least 70% of participants are linked to at least one viable market channel and meet buyer requirements.
• Build and manage a live pipeline of buyers, segmented by value chain and absorption capacity.
• Support aggregation models to meet buyer requirements on volume, consistency, and quality.
• Facilitate direct transactions between youth enterprises and buyers (beyond introductions).
• Support deal structuring, including pricing, delivery schedules, and quality specifications.
• Build partnerships with off-takers, aggregators/distributors, and platforms (digital and physical marketplaces).
• Work closely with the Partnerships Manager to support entrepreneurs in structuring and formalizing their commercial relationships.
• Troubleshoot last-mile barriers to closing sales (e.g., logistics, cold storage, coordination, quality issues).
• Track and drive key performance outcomes, including sales revenue growth, volumes sold, and contract stability.

Local Organization Support

• Support local organizations to design and implement structured market access activities within their work plans.
• Ensure technical and business training is directly linked to market demand, guiding training content so it translates into production that meets buyer requirements.

Product Quality & Market Readiness

• Ensure youth enterprises meet buyer specifications and regulatory standards, including supporting certification attainment.
• Address quality gaps impacting sales and strengthen consistency and reliability.
• Support the introduction of market-driven product improvements.

Data Tracking & Performance Management

• Work with the project indicator monitoring function to track performance against key outcomes (e.g., % of participants accessing structured markets, sales revenue growth).
• Maintain a real-time market linkage tracker/dashboard.

Cross-Pillar Collaboration

• Access to Finance: Align financing mechanisms to market opportunities and productivity improvements.
• Enhanced Leadership & Agency: Strengthen negotiation skills and decision-making for young entrepreneurs.
• Communications: Showcase successful enterprises and market linkages to attract partners and strengthen program visibility.
• Digital & Technology Integration: Promote technology (e.g., AI) and e-commerce platforms to improve market penetration and efficiency.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Agribusiness, Economics, or related field OR 2+ years experience in sales, market linkages, or business development.
• Proven ability to close deals and manage B2B relationships.
• Strong understanding of value chains and market systems.
• Experience working with SMEs, youth enterprises, or producer groups.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the TechnoServe recruitment portal at: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1207107. This link will direct you to the official recruiting.ultipro.com platform to complete your application.