Marketing and Commercialisation Specialist

Norwegian Church Aid works with people and organizations around the world in their struggle to eradicate poverty and injustice. We provide emergency assistance in disasters and work for long-term development in local communities. To address the root causes of poverty, we advocate for just decisions by public authorities, businesses, and religious leaders. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is an International Non-Governmental Organization working in over 30 countries around the world. It is a member of the worldwide ACT-Alliance, comprised of 140 churches and church-related organizations cooperating on humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and development.

Norwegian Church Aid has been working in Malawi since 2002 and our strategic priorities include Gender Based Violence, Economic Development and Food Security, Climate and Environmental Stewardship, Fighting Inequality and humanitarian response. Please visit our website: https://www.nca.no/?source=malawi24.com/vacancies. In 2021 NCA merged with DanChurchAid to form the Malawi Joint Country Program (JCP). The JCP was created to enhance synergy and create positive sustainable development in the lives of the poor and marginalised people in the target communities of Malawi, and to reduce costs and increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Program Description
Tisangalale ndi Chuma (Transforming Last-mile Farmers in Agriculture for Economic Growth) is a 20-month commercialization programme operating in three districts (Kasungu, Mchinji, and Mzimba), focusing on three priority value chains (soybean, groundnut, and bean), and will work with 125 Farmer Organizations. Supported Farmer Organizations will be strengthened to operate as aggregation and supply businesses, linking approximately 21,000 farmers to structured markets through formal buyer arrangements. With funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Tisangalale will be 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), with each partner 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 ensure integration into existing structured markets rather than parallel systems.

Position: Marketing and Commercialisation Specialist
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Reports to: Program Coordinator – Tisangalale ndi Chuma

The Role
The position will oversee the implementation of the overall value chain related interventions and will work closely with the Consortium to provide technical assistance, value chain development advice and implementation support to partners and farmer organisations in the development of market linkages in the agriculture sector. This position is key to build their capacity to fully participate in the commercialization pathway.

Tasks and Responsibilities
– Work closely with IPs to clearly map value chains including main actors, flow of products, infrastructure facilities and all supporting organizations.
– Coordinate the overall implementation of value chain development and market access component in the Program.
– 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 Program.
– Work closely with 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 assessment to identify gaps and develop recommendations on how to improve the selected value chains and maximize the impact.
– Develop and deliver capacity development activities in the areas of agribusiness, value chain and marketing development for Implementing Partners.
– Provide support and guidance for the gathering of data and information needed to undertake an 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 will lead to enhanced 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 organizing planned activities in consultation with stakeholders (i.e. the Ministry of Agriculture, 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 related to agricultural enterprise development and marketing.
– At least 5 years of working experience in the field of agriculture value chain, market linkage, commercialisation and marketing.
– Experience in farmer mobilisation and linking smallholder farmers to substantive markets.
– Knowledge and experience in food systems approach will be an added advantage.
– Sound understanding of agricultural policies and agriculture 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 an ability to work with producer organisations to link smallholders to markets.
– Working knowledge of agricultural, forestry and fisheries (aquaculture and mariculture) production systems.

Language Skills
– Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal Skills and Cultural Awareness
– Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive, and equitable environment.

How to Apply
Applications including CV, a statement of why you are suitable for the job, and names and contact details of two traceable references should be sent to:

The Country Director
Norwegian Church Aid
P.O. Box 30793
Lilongwe 3
Email: [email protected]

Applications should be submitted by 12 noon on Friday, 13th November 2026. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

NCA is an equal opportunity employer; therefore all men, women, and those with disability are encouraged to apply.