WUR Project Support Officer

Who we are

Advance Consulting is a business development consultancy that operates in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our North Star is to develop vibrant, green and inclusive Small and Medium Enterprises in the Agrifood and Renewable Energy sectors.

In 2050, the number of people who live on this planet will have doubled. We believe that that Agrifood Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will play a key role in feeding this population, as they occupy critical positions along the value chains as producers, input suppliers, off-takers, processors, and distributors. At the same time, access to affordable energy is a pre-condition for sustainable development and renewable energy production in developing countries already surpassed the capacity generated by fossil fuels. SMEs in the renewable energy sector are pivotal in assuring that 900 million people, who currently don’t have electricity, will gain access to affordable energy by 2030.

We are contributing to these goals by facilitating private sector development of the Agrifood and Renewable Energy sectors of Africa, Asia and Latin America in an environmental-friendly, socially responsible and commercially sustainable way.

Our work in Jordan

In Jordan, we support the development of a sustainable and competitive agriculture sector through an increasing number of programs and partnerships. Amongst others, we are co-implementors of a 3 year Netherlands Government funded program that aims to improve the income opportunities and longer-term resilience of horticulture smallholder farmers, cooperatives and SMEs in Balqa, Irbid, and Ajloun and strengthen the broader horticulture sector. The program will support horticulture smallholder farmers, cooperatives and SMEs to improve their production of high quality crops and business practices, support to the broader horticulture value chain to improve performance and efficiencies, and support various Governmental and sector organizations for an improved enabling environment.

On behalf of our consortium partner Wageningen University & Research (WUR) we are looking for a Project Support Officer for the JordanHortiFuture programme, with an affinity for agriculture and the horticulture sector in particular.

About Wageningen University & Research (WUR)

The mission of WUR is to ‘explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life’. More than 6,800 employees and 12,900 students from over hundred countries contribute to this mission worldwide, working in the domain of healthy food and living environment for governments and the business community-at-large.

The strength of Wageningen University & Research lies in its unique combined forces of specialized research institutes and the university. This close collaboration in various natural, technological and social sciences ensures that scientific breakthroughs are quickly put into practice and incorporated into education. Collaboration with other parties such as government, business, civil society and NGOs is indispensable in this regard.

As Project Support Officer of WUR in the JordanHortiFuture program you will work for Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WCDI), one of the WUR research institutes, coordinating the JordanHortiFuture program on behalf of WUR.

WCDI aims to strengthen capacities for sustainable development in support of inclusive and sustainable food systems. In their work with clients from governments, businesses, civil society, NGOs and the academic world, WCDI connects Wageningen University & Research's knowledge and expertise with the challenges to support inclusive and sustainable food systems in low and middle income countries.

The position

The Project Support Officer will be part of the WUR team in the JordanHortiFuture programme and will work closely with the local JordanHortiFuture team, supporting the daily project implementation, assisting in maintaining contacts and alignment of activities with key stakeholders, and providing additional support where needed. He/she will be based in our office in Amman, and will report to the Advance Consulting Country Director. The project support officer is accountable to the WUR JordanHortiFuture Project Manager based in the Netherlands, with whom, together with the WUR Project Coordinator, there will be regular contact and consultation about the progress of the implementation of activities. Tasks and responsibilities of the local coordinator may be adjusted to some extent depending on the background and technical expertise of the applicant, but will at least include:

• Assist and support the daily development, planning, and implementation of the WUR assigned activities, and report on a periodic basis to the WUR Project Coordinator;
• Conduct regular field visits for the JordanHortiFuture Good Agricultural Practices training programme and engage with master trainers and lead farmers;
• Collecting and filing of contracts, attendance sheets, invoices, IDs, and any other related and required documents for the WUR activities;
• Support in the data collection and analysis;
• Support in the procurement and logistics of the WUR activities (venues, transportation, printing, materials, etc);
• Support and assist in the organisation and implementation of WUR experts’ interventions in close collaboration with the WUR Project Coordinator and the local JordanHortiFuture team;
• Undertake any other tasks that may be assigned by the Advance Consulting Country Director, WUR Project Coordinator and/or WUR Project Manager

Your profile

As we strive to deliver excellence to our clients and projects, we are on the lookout for outstanding candidates. You may be the perfect match if you share our passion for sustainable value chains and private sector development in emerging economies, and bring the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, social sciences, economics, business, management, public administration, international affairs, or any equivalent;
• Minimum 2 years of experience working with an international NGO or UN agency in fields relevant and related to the scope of work described, preferably focusing on agricultural development, improved livelihoods, or economic development and recovery;
• Proven experience in working with farmers and other rural groups in Jordan;
• Experience in project support in projects funded by international donors;
• Result-oriented and self-motivated team player;
• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills;
• Good communication and facilitation skills;
• Ability and flexibility to work in multi-disciplinary, international teams;
• Willingness to travel regularly to the project implementation region;
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English and Arabic;
• Full digital literacy and control of all main Microsoft Office applications;
• A sense of humor and a positive outlook on life and teamwork.

What we offer

As WUR project support officer, hosted by and joining Advance Consulting, you will become part of a dynamic and unique international team. We offer you a competitive salary and a variety of additional benefits, such as travel allowance, health insurance, retirement benefits and travel insurance. We also offer opportunities to learn and develop on the job, and we pride ourselves in offering a healthy work-life balance.

How to apply

Are you the top candidate that we are looking for? Please send your CV and motivation letter to Willemijn Blokland before 3 December 2022 to: [email protected]. Please note that only complete applications with a cover letter and CV will be considered.

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