Program Director, Smallholder Producer Program

Title: Program Director, Smallholder Producer Program

Department: Operations

Location: CDMX or the region of El Bajio

About TechnoServe:  

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe's work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The agricultural communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their farms and businesses -- mainly small- but also medium-scale -- are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: lack of access to information, best practices and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are creating lasting prosperity for their families and communities. When incomes increase sustainably and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Overview:

The objective of the Smallholder Producer Program is to strengthen the agricultural ecosystem in Mexico and improve the incomes of rural households by helping smallholder farmers to improve the yields and quality of their crops, manage their farms sustainably, build agribusinesses and connect to formal markets.

Job summary 

The Program Director will guide the Program by providing strategic oversight, overseeing field teams and cross-cutting areas, managing stakeholder relationships and ensuring Program goals are reached.

Primary Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic guidance, leadership, management, and general technical oversight of the program.
• Lead overall implementation and management of the program, ensuring it achieves established goals, objectives, and targets.
• Continuously develop operational efficiencies and drive innovations in delivery, including digital tools, regenerative agriculture, youth and gender.
• Oversee development and submission of high-quality project deliverables, and financial/narrative reports per deadlines.
• Lead field teams, including performance reviews and feedback.
• Represent the program by acting as a spokesperson, presenting outcomes internally and externally.
• Lead partnerships between multiple agriculture sector stakeholders, including agribusinesses, the public sector, academic and financial institutions, technology providers and others.
• Serve as lead in managing the donor relationship and co-developing strategic innovations with the donor and other partners.
• Execute the program's budget as planned and following guidelines.
• Provide direction to cross-cutting areas such as M&E function, inclusion and digitalization.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience or a Master's degree with at least 8+ years of experience in agricultural economics, international development, business, economy, public policy or other relevant areas.
• At least eight years of proven experience in the private sector or developing agricultural supply chains, particularly in fruits and vegetables, dairy and/ or grains.
• Mexican residency or valid work permit.
• Fluency in Spanish and proficiency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Requirements Qualifications:

• Experience working in Mexico.
• Ideally work with the private sector in the Program's focus areas.
• Consulting and/or regenerative experience desired.

Languages: fluent Spanish and proficient English. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Solid private sector market orientation, entrepreneurial and innovative thinker.
• Ability to develop well-written, cohesive strategies, analyses and reports.
• Results oriented with a proven track record of working to achieve project targets.
• Strong leadership skills and demonstrated experience in managing complex, multi-disciplinary and challenging field operations.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills and ability to effectively motivate and manage teams.
• Problem-solver, consensus builder.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and activities.

Supervisory responsibilities: Field Coordinators, M&E, Senior Manager/ Deputy Director

Travel: 50-60% to the Program's areas of operation.