JOB DESCRIPTION
BUSINESS AND MARKET FACILITATOR
The Trust is seeking two candidates to fill key roles in facilitating businesses and driven to be ‘market makers’.
This is a rewarding opportunity to join an independent Tanzanian institution with a long-term outlook for
development of the commercial forestry sector. Become part of a dynamic, innovative team committed to
enhancing long-term competitiveness of the sector, improving incomes of small-scale tree growers and woodbased enterprises, and building long-term institutional resilience.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Forestry Development Trust was established by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation in 2013 as an
independent Tanzanian institution with a long term vision for development of the commercial forestry
sector. The Trust aims to support the sector to improve the supply of higher-value wood products and
energy from sustainable sources, while securing the long-term competitiveness of smallholder tree
production and medium-to-large scale processing. The Trust works to enable private and public sectors
to improve the quality and availability of forestry-related industry functions, such as improved tree
planting material, nursery and silviculture services, tree grower aggregation and marketing, policy
research and industry coordination.
FDT has national scope but will initially focus activities in the Southern Highlands, where 60,000 people
are already growing trees. More information can be found at http://forestry-trust.org/about-us/
The Trust has recently revised its strategic focus, which emphasises the sustainability principles of
market systems development (or M4P) and embodies the ‘Gatsby sector transformation approach’ to
build the inter-related building blocks of competitiveness, inclusiveness and resilience.
The Business and Market Facilitator position plays a number of crucial roles in support of the Trust,
particularly to engage and mobilise diverse commercial forestry sector players to enhance sector and
business competitiveness, inclusiveness and resilience, with a particular focus on investors, plantation
and processor companies and supporting service industry players.
Job Title:
Business and Market Facilitator
Reporting:
The positions report to heads of component, and may include some line management.
Linkages:
The Business and Market Facilitator will be required to work and coordinate with the
departments of the Trust: Tree Improvement; Tree Grower Services; Markets and Policy;
and Strategy, Monitoring and Learning. Externally the role will work with a range of
private and public sector players.
Location:
The role is based in Iringa, Tanzania, with fieldwork being conducted across the
Southern Highlands, Dar es Salaam and possibly further afield in Tanzania.
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JOB DESCRIPTION: BUSINESS AND MARKET FACILITATOR
MAIN DUTIES
The Business and Market Facilitator will:

Engage and mobilise diverse commercial forestry sector players to enhance sector and business
competitiveness, inclusiveness and resilience, for example:
o
Illuminating market outlook and trends, forestry economics and business planning;
o
Encouraging adoption of innovations to improve the value of forestry investments;
o
Highlighting the business benefits and means to adopt more inclusive business models;
o
Assisting to link key players within the commercial forestry market system;
o
Convening players and fostering stakeholder coordination.

Analyse business models for successful forestry enterprises in the southern highlands of
Tanzania, including impact analysis of different business practices.

Prepare high quality written outputs such as business-orientated briefings, training materials
and communication products.

Manage specific interventions including design and planning, partner engagement,
implementation and analysis, measurement and learning.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SKILLS

Well-developed stakeholder engagement capabilities: strong communicator and relationship
builder, demonstrating the ability to facilitate change among private and public sector.

Strong analytical abilities in a business context: strong understanding of economics and
awareness of the driving factors behind business decision making.

Versatility and creativity: ability to identify and stimulate innovative solutions to market
systems, and to stand back from individual market players’ perspectives, look at wider market
system context and identify where intervention is required.

Management and teamwork: Strong operational, management and interpersonal skills with the
ability to work within a high performing and diverse team.

Measurement: ability to monitor within a results-based framework, demonstrate self-criticism
and be open to learning.

Personal integrity: Values driven, demonstrating integrity and firm ethical standards.

Computer literacy: Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint.
EXPERIENCE

At least 3 years' professional experience in business or market development, including direct
experience in facilitating change or partnerships among private enterprises, investors, finance
institutions and other market actors of different scales. Experience of the same in an agriculture
or forestry context is an added advantage.
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JOB DESCRIPTION: BUSINESS AND MARKET FACILITATOR

A proven track record in performing business or sector analysis and due diligence to a high
standard.

Experience in drafting key documents, delivering quantitative analysis and development of
presentations to the very highest professional standards.

Experience in reviewing work, and making sure that work is delivered according to time scales
and required milestones.
QUALIFICATIONS

A minimum of a BA degree in Economics, BSC Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, or a
similar undergraduate subject relating to forestry or agriculture.
SALARY AND BENEFITS

FDT will pay a competitive salary based on skills and experience.

A contract until the end of the current project phase will be offered (31 July 2018), renewable
depending on performance and funding.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this post, please complete the following information:

An up-to-date curriculum vitae/resume (of no more than 2-3 pages)

A detailed statement (of no more than 2 pages) explaining why you are interested in this post
with FDT and how your skills and experience make you suitable.
The above information should be sent to the HR Manager by email [email protected]
Please state clearly which post you are applying for. Applications are welcome until the deadline of 20
October 2016. Please indicate which post you are applying for in subject line, e.g. Application – Business
and Market Facilitator. FDT will only inform shortlisted candidates.
EQUALITY STATEMENT
Equality and diversity are at the core of Gatsby and FDT’s values. Staff are expected to work collectively
and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of
backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.
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