Technical Director, Agriculture Market Systems

Join Land O'Lakes, Inc., and help us bring food from farmer to fork, building vibrant communities along the way. We're a global, Fortune 250 company and a farmer-owned cooperative, which means we work for one another-not Wall Street. We're proud to rank a Top Workplace. We offer:Competitive compensation and rewardsBest-in-class healthcare for you and your familyPowerful savings programsTraining and career progressionTechnical Director, Agriculture Market SystemsLand O'Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening local agriculture, helping agribusinesses create jobs and linking farmers to markets. Since 1981, it has implemented integrated dairy, livestock and crops development programs in nearly 80 countries - creating lasting impact by linking farmers, businesses, and the public and private sector in local and global contexts. Land O'Lakes Venture37's long-standing affiliation with Land O'Lakes, Inc. sets it apart. Land O'Lakes, Inc. is one of America's largest farmer-owned cooperatives. It supports Land O'Lakes Venture37 project implementation with nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights and technologies. This gives Land O'Lakes Venture37 development projects a unique global view of agriculture, food and the power of well-functioning market systems. Land O'Lakes, Inc. supports these efforts as part of its enterprise purpose of Feeding Human Progress at home and around the world.The Venture37 Technical Director, Market Systems is a proven thought leader and practitioner in global market systems with extensive experience in its application to agricultural programming. S/he will help define and implement V37's technical and implementation strategy to a portfolio of agricultural market and food system projects, will serve as lead technical leader on key project proposals, and will represent the innovations and impact of Venture37 as an agricultural development leader around the world. S/he will ensure that proposals and projects reflect the latest and most effective approaches to market systems development programs and will consistently maintaining linkages to Venture37's mission and value. The role will identify, implement and adapt current and future programs to leverage sustainable, inclusive, and resilient market systems.This position can be based in the United States or in a country where Venture37 is registered (e.g. DRC, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania)Primary Responsibilities:Define, lead, implement and adapt V37s technical strategy to support proposals and ongoing projects based on current evidence, research, and learning.Integrate proven technical best practices to existing projects that are consistent with Venture37's mission and strategy. Develop innovative technical tools and resources in the areas of market systems that are flexible and adaptable to unique agricultural and geographical contexts.Provide technical guidance related to market system and value chain assessments, feasibility studies, ongoing market analysis, business plans, and apply evidence-based learning and best practices in agricultural production.Engage closely with customers to develop insights for future impact and ensure ongoing donor satisfaction with V37s programming and technical approaches with a variety of US and international clients (e.g. USAID, USDA, non-USG bilateral organizations, foundations, and corporate customers).Collaborate with the team to build and execute customer and country business plans in addition to innovative technical work plans that support Venture37 strategic growth commitment to deliver the intended impact outcomes on time and on budget.Work with program technical teams to adapt to ongoing changes in the market system and set them up for success in achieving technical objectivesLead Venture37 community of practice to share learnings and build team technical capabilities.Develop, deliver and market V37s innovative technical solutions to development challenges in key international forums, conferences, roundtables, and other technically relevant events. Grow the Venture37 brand as an innovative, effective, agricultural development organization in the minds of current and future customers and partners.Required Experience/KnowledgeMaster's degree in International Development or related technical agricultural field.Minimum of 12 years' experience in designing, implementing, and/or managing international agricultural development programs.Experience with integrated and multisectoral programming (e.g. gender, nutrition, youth).Experience as a technical leader on successful and openly-competed USAID proposals, as well as business development experience with foundations, bilateral or corporate donor customers.Proven track record of leading capacity development and technical training activities to support program staff.Ability to effectively represent the organization, our technical approaches and implementation successes with established networks of senior level international development professionals, donors, governments, universities, and other partners.Experience leading and working with multicultural staff, including awareness of and sensitivity to working with multicultural groups in multiple socio-economic settings.Ability to interpret and utilize M data to inform and manage projects in a flexible and adaptive way.Excellent interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills.Proven teamwork and supervisory skills.Ability and willingness to travel frequently, nationally, and internationally.Preferred Experience/KnowledgeProven track record as Chief of Party or Program Lead of donor-funded international agricultural development program.Understanding of results measurement for market systems development programs.Substantial international experience in either a program management or technical support role.Experience living and working abroad in countries and situations relevant to the position.Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including pre- and post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.Neither Land O'Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.Land O'Lakes endeavors to make Landolakesinc.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U ) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.