Agribusiness Development Advisor

Experienced business professionals, this is your chance to help entrepreneurs in Benin bring their products to international markets.

Agribusiness entrepreneurs in Benin's fertile Ouémé River Valley produce fruit juices, flour, honey, and other value-added agricultural products with a strong market expansion and export potential. However, these innovative community leaders often lack the specialized skills in business planning, product design, and global marketing to compete in European and North American markets. As a result, high-quality products often do not expand beyond Beninese markets, limiting income-generating opportunities.

As an Agribusiness Development Advisor, you will collaborate with entrepreneurs to transform food-based products into export-ready goods. You will support women's groups and youth entrepreneurs to strengthen business strategies, refine product designs, develop brand identities, and build relationships with international buyers and trade shows. These efforts will open new revenue streams for Benin, building a more resilient, competitive agribusiness sector. This is a 6-month assignment with the possibility to extend up to 12-months.

Bachelor's degree in agriculture economics, agribusiness, agricultural management, farm management, or a degree combining agriculture and business.
AND
Two or more years of any relevant training or experience in farming or agribusiness.

The Volunteer will live in a one-bedroom apartment in a rural community within southern Benin’s Ouémé Department. The apartment will have electricity, drinkable water, and internet connectivity. The Volunteer will reside near two metropolitan cities where markets, banks, health clinics are easily accessible.

Advance your technical, managerial, entrepreneurial, and interpersonal skills while growing a successful agribusiness incubator in West Africa.

Develop professional French fluency and facilitation skills through targeted trainings.

Build lasting friendships with community members and appreciate the unique culture of Benin’s Ouémé River valley.

Conduct market studies with CIPAM’s team and community leaders.

Identify food products with export potential for European and North American markets.

Provide training on business model development and strategic planning.

Coach entrepreneurs on product design, packaging, and branding.

Advise on marketing and communication strategies tailored to international consumers.

Support women's agricultural processing groups in improving product quality and packaging.

Facilitate connections between CIPAM entrepreneurs and international buyers or trade contacts.

Assist in preparing and shipping product samples to international trade shows and fairs.

You may also work on additional projects that meet the community's interests and priorities, such as organizing youth entrepreneurship workshops or supporting hygiene awareness campaigns.

After a four-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with CIPAM entrepreneurs to assess the business needs and develop a work plan for international market expansion.



Peace Corps/Benin will equip you with French language resources and you may work with a tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.