Marketing and Commercialisation Specialist

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) works with communities worldwide to end poverty and injustice, providing emergency relief and long-term development support. NCA-DCA's Malawi Joint Country Programme is recruiting a Marketing and Commercialisation Specialist for its Lilongwe country office, to support the Tisangalale ndi Chuma programme.

About the programme

• Tisangalale ndi Chuma (Transforming Last-mile Farmers in Agriculture for Economic Growth) is a 20-month commercialisation programme operating in Kasungu, Mchinji, and Mzimba districts.
• It focuses on three priority value chains: soybean, groundnut, and bean, and will work with 125 farmer organisations.
• Supported farmer organisations will be strengthened as aggregation and supply businesses, linking approximately 21,000 farmers to structured markets through formal buyer arrangements.
• The programme is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and implemented by Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid (NCA-DCA), in partnership with Trustee for Agricultural Promotion Programme (TAPP), Find Your Feet (FYF), and Total LandCare (TLC).
• Each partner is accountable for delivering district-level commercial outcomes, including aggregation volumes, contracts, and farmer income growth.
• The consortium will work with private sector buyers and national platforms to ensure integration into existing structured markets rather than parallel systems.

About the role

• Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
• Reports to: Program Coordinator – Tisangalale ndi Chuma
• The role oversees implementation of value chain related interventions and works closely with the consortium to provide technical assistance, value chain development advice, and implementation support to partners and farmer organisations in developing market linkages in the agriculture sector.
• The position is key to building the capacity of farmer organisations to fully participate in the commercialisation pathway.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Work closely with implementing partners to clearly map value chains, including main actors, product flow, infrastructure facilities, and supporting organisations.
• Coordinate overall implementation of the value chain development and market access component of the programme.
• Prepare detailed annual work plans and progress reports on the value chain component.
• Conduct economic and business feasibility studies for the different value chains in the programme.
• Work closely with the Malawi Agriculture Commercialisation Initiative (MACI) and other national platforms to ensure integration into existing structured markets.
• Establish functioning, market-linked aggregation systems that reliably supply domestic and regional markets.
• Conduct value chain assessments to identify gaps and develop recommendations to improve selected value chains and maximise impact.
• Develop and deliver capacity development activities in agribusiness, value chain, and marketing development for implementing partners.
• Provide support and guidance for gathering data and information needed for effective monitoring and evaluation of activities related to livelihood diversification, value chain, and marketing.
• Conduct market analysis and assessments.
• Identify opportunities for campaigns, services, and distribution channels that enhance market linkage of different value chains.
• Research the market information system at collection centres and satellite markets, and identify opportunities to strengthen the system.
• Advise on organising planned activities in consultation with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers.

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in agribusiness management, agricultural economics, agricultural development, development economics with a specialisation in agriculture, or a closely related field.

Knowledge and experience

• At least 7 years of relevant experience in agricultural enterprise development and marketing.
• At least 5 years of experience in agriculture value chain, market linkage, commercialisation, and marketing.
• Experience in farmer mobilisation and linking smallholder farmers to substantive markets.
• Knowledge and experience in a food systems approach will be an added advantage.
• Sound understanding of agricultural policies and agricultural research and extension systems in Malawi.

Essential skills

• Business planning skills, including SME development, market studies, and value chain analysis.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work with producer organisations to link smallholders to markets.
• Working knowledge of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries (aquaculture and mariculture) production systems.
• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive, and equitable environment.

How to apply

• Applications should include a CV, a statement of why you are suitable for the job, and the names and contact details of two traceable references.
• Apply using the Apply button on this page.
• Applications should be submitted by 12 noon on Friday, 13th November 2026.
• Application deadline: 13 November 2026.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• NCA is an equal opportunity employer; men, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.