MARKETING AND COMMERCIALISATION SPECIALIST

OVERVIEW

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is an international non-governmental organisation working in more than 30 countries to support communities in overcoming poverty and injustice. Its work includes emergency assistance, long-term development and advocacy for just decisions by public authorities, businesses and religious leaders.

NCA has been working in Malawi since 2002. Its strategic priorities include Gender-Based Violence, Economic Development and Food Security, Climate and Environmental Stewardship, Fighting Inequality, and Humanitarian Response.

In 2021, NCA merged with DanChurchAid (DCA) to form the Malawi Joint Country Programme (JCP), which aims to strengthen collaboration, promote sustainable development among poor and marginalised communities, reduce costs and improve programme efficiency and effectiveness.

NCA-DCA invites applications from experienced professionals for the position of Marketing and Commercialisation Specialist, based at its Country Office in Lilongwe.

JOB TYPE: Full Time

Application Deadline: Friday, 13th November 2026, at 12:00 noon

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

Tisangalale ndi Chuma (Transforming Last-mile Farmers in Agriculture for Economic Growth) is a 20-month agricultural commercialisation programme operating in Kasungu, Mchinji and Mzimba Districts.

The programme focuses on three priority value chains:

• Soybean.
• Groundnut.
• Beans.

It will work with 125 Farmer Organisations (FOs), strengthening them to operate as aggregation and supply businesses and linking approximately 21,000 farmers to structured markets through formal buyer arrangements.

With funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the programme will be implemented by Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid in partnership with:

• Trustee for Agricultural Promotion Programme (TAPP).
• Find Your Feet (FYF).
• Total LandCare (TLC).

Each implementing partner will be accountable for delivering district-level commercial outcomes, including aggregation volumes, contracts and farmer income growth.

The consortium will work closely with private-sector buyers and national platforms to integrate farmers into existing structured markets rather than establishing parallel systems.

POSITION: MARKETING AND COMMERCIALISATION SPECIALIST

JOB SUMMARY

The Marketing and Commercialisation Specialist will oversee the implementation of value chain development and market access interventions under the Tisangalale ndi Chuma Programme.

The successful candidate will work closely with consortium partners, providing technical assistance, value chain development advice and implementation support to partners and Farmer Organisations. The role will strengthen their capacity to participate fully in agricultural commercialisation and develop sustainable market linkages.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Marketing and Commercialisation Specialist will be responsible for:

• Working closely with implementing partners to clearly map value chains, including key actors, product flows, infrastructure facilities and supporting organisations.
• Coordinating the overall implementation of the programme's value chain development and market access component.
• Preparing detailed annual work plans and progress reports for the value chain component.
• Conducting economic and business feasibility studies for the different value chains covered by the programme.
• Working closely with the Malawi Agriculture Commercialisation Initiative (MACI) and other national platforms to promote integration into existing structured markets.
• Establishing functioning, market-linked aggregation systems that reliably supply domestic and regional markets.
• Conducting value chain assessments to identify gaps and develop recommendations for improving selected value chains and maximising impact.
• Developing and delivering capacity-building activities in agribusiness, value chain development and marketing for implementing partners.
• Providing support and guidance in gathering data and information required for effective monitoring and evaluation of livelihood diversification, value chain and marketing activities.
• Conducting market analysis and assessments.
• Identifying opportunities for campaigns, services and distribution channels that can strengthen market linkages across different value chains.
• Researching market information systems at collection centres and satellite markets and identifying opportunities to strengthen them.
• Advising on the organisation of planned activities in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Academic Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• A postgraduate degree in Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Development, Development Economics with a specialisation in Agriculture, or a closely related field.

Professional Experience

Applicants should have:

• At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in agricultural enterprise development and marketing.
• At least five (5) years of experience in agricultural value chains, market linkages, commercialisation and marketing.
• Experience in farmer mobilisation and linking smallholder farmers to substantive markets.
• A sound understanding of agricultural policies and agricultural research and extension systems in Malawi.

Added Advantage:

• Knowledge and experience in a food systems approach.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Business planning skills, including SME development, market studies and value chain analysis.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work with producer organisations to link smallholder farmers to markets.
• Working knowledge of agricultural, forestry and fisheries production systems, including aquaculture and mariculture.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND CULTURAL AWARENESS

The ideal candidate should demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit the following:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A statement explaining why they are suitable for the position.
• Names and contact details of two (2) traceable referees.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Country Director

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)

P.O. Box 30793

Lilongwe 3

Malawi.

Email: malawi@nca.no

Closing Date: Friday, 13th November 2026, at 12:00 noon.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

NCA-DCA is an equal opportunity employer. Men, women and persons with disabilities who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply.