Job Description

TechnoServe invites you to participate in this competitive solicitation for qualifications related to the development of a feasibility study for on-farm biochar production across a number of farms in Mpumalanga and Limpopo, South Africa. This scope of work outlines the anticipated activities and expertise required to achieve these objectives.

Reports to : Inclusive Business Manager, CASA Technical Assistance Facility
Position Location: Remote based with travel to farms in Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Anticipated start date: 30 October 2025
Estimated Duration: 17 weeks

Background and Project Purpose

TechnoServe (www.technoserve.org) is a non-profit, economic development organisation with sustained commitment to its 50-year old founding mission to work with enterprising men and women in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are business specialists assisting farmers and other entrepreneurs in 29 countries, increasing their access to information, capital, and markets. The increased income our clients derive enhances resilience and prosperity for their families and communities. In 2023 alone, TechnoServe’s work helped farmers and entrepreneurs earn an additional $485 million, improving the lives of
3.4 million people (42% women); achieving a return on investment of USD 5.60 for every USD 1 invested. Our vision is a sustainable world where all people in low-income communities have the opportunity to prosper. By 2030, we seek to enable 30 million farmers, businesses and entrepreneurs to benefit from green growth projects.

Since 2019, TechnoServe has been implementing the UK International Development funded Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusinesses (CASA) Technical Assistance Facility (TAF). The CASA TAF aims to support a climate resilient and inclusive global agriculture sector through technical assistance to a variety of stakeholders including impact investors, agribusinesses and FCDO country missions. Technical assistance ultimately aims to change how investors, donors, and governments view and invest in agribusinesses that build smallholder resilient supply chains.

South Africa Focus & Purpose
South Africa’s transition towards a low-carbon economy and a climate resilient society, in accordance with the country’s Just Energy Transition (JET) Investment Plan is expected to attract investment, create jobs and grow the economy. Development partners recognize the importance of community and job creation projects, not only in energy but in a diverse set of sectors that can meet the challenging job creation target. Between August 2023 and March 2024, TechnoServe conducted a diagnostic study for FCDO that examined opportunities to create sustainable jobs in agriculture in Mpumalanga province to support the just transition in South Africa. Findings from the study suggested that within the agriculture sector, it is the high value fruit and nut sector that offers the best balance between growth and competitiveness potential and job creation potential in the region. It was also found that neighbouring Limpopo province shares many characteristics with Mpumalanga and can
also serve as a source of jobs for people across the border in Mpumalanga.
Moreover, TechnoServe’s pipeline analysis identified that supporting pre-commercial farmers to expand is the lowest cost and nearest-term opportunity to create jobs in agriculture in Mpumalanga. The study also assessed blended finance solutions for pre-commercial farmers. It also further identified a strong pipeline of high-potential pre-commercial farmers in Mpumalanga and a set of specialist agri-lenders that have experience delivering blended finance to pre-commercial farmers.
As part of the broader CASA TAF platform, FCDO South Africa has now commissioned TechnoServe to implement a new 2-year programme focused in the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces of South Africa.

The overall objective of the programme is to catalyse job creation in the agricultural sector, while demonstrating replicable models and learnings on how technical assistance (TA) and/or blended finance support to pre-commercial farmers can drive job creation. Once supported by the right combination of TA and blended finance, pre-commercial farmers are expected to create 350-450 jobs over the duration of the programme while proving a model that can support thousands of additional new jobs over the next 5+ years.
The programme has 3 pillars:

1. Provide Technical Assistance to 8-10 pre-commercial farms, including pre investment TA to support them to raise expansion capital
2. Provide Technical Assistance to 1-2 on-lenders, including fundraising support (to support more farms in Mpumalanga and Limpopo) and support with pipeline
   development in Mpumalanga and Limpopo
3. Develop and share learnings with stakeholders including JETP stakeholders, donors, financiers and SA government, to catalyze more support to relevant TA/blended finance structures which have the potential to grow pre-commercial farms

HERE IS THE DETAILED TERMS OF REFERENCE AND HOW TO APPLY: https://tinyurl.com/ycxdepzz

Employment Status

Full Time

Educational Requirements

B.Sc. degree or higher

Experience Requirements

5 - <10 Years

Job Location

Remote