Brief Description:

DURATION: 4 months

COUNTRY AND PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT: Georgetown, Guyana
EXPECTED DEPARTURE DATE: Departure will be as soon as possible upon completion of administrative requirements and approval of
work permit.

PROJECT BACKGROUND: The Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL) is a sustainable economic growth project which aims to increase the value of Caribbean fresh produce accessing high-value markets (HVMs) in the Caribbean and internationally by CAD $100 million over six years. Funded by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC), the project is working with private sector buyers, producers, business service providers and other market system actors to facilitate the safe, effective and efficient movement of fresh produce from the farm level to HVMs.

PROPEL identifies the needs of the HVM buyers as the local, intra-regional and extra-regional levels and then identifies producers that have the potential to meet that market demand in terms of quality and quantity of produce. PROPEL uses a market systems approach to facilitate the development of commercially based linkages between producers and HVMs that will be sustainable and reach scale in terms of sales and the potential to continue to grow sales over time.

The PROPEL regional office is located in Barbados with satellite offices in Jamaica and Guyana, and additional consultants in Dominica and St. Lucia.
For more information on PROPEL visit: http://wusc.ca/en/propel

ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND:
The focus of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), a semi autonomous agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, is to pioneer the establishment of an Agribusiness Incubation Centre that maximizes the
success quotient of start-up enterprises by offering them the best opportunities with minimum risk. Taking into consideration the most pressing concerns, food security and poverty alleviation, there are two approaches that seek a solution to these problems: (a) investment in farmer-level organizations and, (b) value chain development. Business incubation is an alternative path for agricultural
commercialization and agribusiness development that can complement those approaches.

Agribusiness incubation represents a new resource to promote enterprise development in agriculture and facilitate business among agri-preneurs. This will promote young entrepreneurs in agribusiness through skills and service-based opportunities (shared facilities and equipment, business development, technology, finance, mentoring and networking). Its objectives are to:
● Foster innovation in creation and development of agribusiness to benefit the farming community;
● Facilitate agro-technology commercialisation by promoting and supporting agribusiness ventures;
● Promote successful agribusiness ventures to benefit farms through new markets, products, services

The overall goal is to set up a sustainable Agribusiness Incubation Centre that operates on international best practices.

VOLUNTEER POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under overall supervision of PROPEL’s Country Coordinator and direct supervision of the Principal of the GSA, the Agribusiness Incubator Advisor Volunteer will:
 Review and analyze the literature on business incubators in agriculture and their contribution to economic development toward identifying robust best practices and applicable models;
 Conduct an incubatees or potential incubatees survey and synthesize findings into the model;
 Provide recommendations on the scope of services to be provided by the Incubator;
 Propose an organisational chart for the Incubator, which includes a governance structure, management and staff structure, job descriptions and specifications for each post;
 Establish operational procedures for the incubator;
 Prepare a costed five-year financial proposal, including a phased implementation plan and performance indicators;
 Develop recommendations for the financial model of the Incubator with options for revenue models based on international best practices and applicability in the Guyana financial regulations context;
 Attend Steering Committee Meetings and other meetings with the Administration of the School;
 Prepare a mutually agreed Inception Report which gives details of the methodology to be adopted.


QUALIFICATIONS
 A degree or relevant experience in Agri-business, Business Administration, or related field
 Minimum 2 years experience in Business Administration, Business Development, Entrepreneurship
 Proven leadership, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
 Ability to work with minimal supervision
 Adaptable and flexible self-starter with strong creative problem-solving capacity
 Advanced analytical and report writing skills
 Understanding of market-led development
 Good communication skills

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS AND SUPPORT
 Participation in pre-departure training where you will learn about the project, gain practical skills for living and working in an intercultural context and meet other volunteers. Travel, meals and
accommodation for the training are covered.
 Return flight and work permit.
 Cost of required vaccinations.
 Health insurance.
 Monthly living and accommodation allowance.
 Vacation leave entitlement.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada between the ages of
18-70.
 Departure date is contingent upon the timely completion of all administrative requirements
(e.g. visa processes, medical clearance, police checks, travel documentation).
 With the support of the program, all volunteers are encouraged to make a minimum financial
contribution of $1,500 for participating in the program.

TO APPLY
Send CV and cover letter to: jobs@wusc.ca. Include “PROPEL Agribusiness Incubator Advisor” in subject
header.
• These positions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
• Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

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