Project Manager - Market Insights

COLEAD is a non\-profit interprofessional association founded in 1973 whose main purpose is to facilitate and implement all actions that directly and/or indirectly increase the contribution of the agri\-food sector to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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COLEAD manages development projects in the agricultural and food sector in low and low\-middle income countries, financed by donors (mainly the European Union). More information is available on our<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>website<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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As part of the implementation of its new programme entitled \u201cSustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations (SPRING)\u201d, COLEAD is looking for a<\/b><\/span><\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>Project Manager <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/i>for its Market Insights Department<\/b><\/span><\/span>.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/i><\/span>
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The Market Insights Project Manager will contribute to\nthe design, coordination, implementation, quality control and dissemination of\nMarket Insights activities, including market studies, value chain profiles,\nsector\-wide bottleneck analyses, data analysis, trend monitoring, stakeholder\nconsultations and knowledge\-sharing activities.<\/span>
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Under the SPRING project, the\nposition will serve as the Market Insights focal point in The Gambia, ensuring\nthe coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all Market\nInsights\-related activities carried out in the country. This includes the daily\nfollow\-up of activities, liaison with local stakeholders, coordination with\nexperts and partners, and alignment with programme objectives.<\/span>
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The position is based in Banjul,\nThe Gambia, with a primary focus on Market Insights activities under the SPRING\nproject in the country. However, its scope may extend beyond The Gambia to\nsupport broader Market Insights activities across COLEAD programmes and\noffices, in line with organisational needs. The role will be integrated into\nCOLEAD\u2019s Market Insights team, whose members are based in different countries\nand collaborate remotely and across locations to deliver market analysis,\nknowledge products and strategic insights for the organisation.
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Key responsibilities:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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1.<\/u><\/span><\/span> <\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Coordinate and manage Market Insights\nassignments<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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The Market Insights Project Manager will coordinate and\nmanage market research and analysis assignments from start to finish. While the\nrole concerns COLEAD as a whole, the main focus will be the supervision and\ndaily follow\-up of Market Insights activities implemented in The Gambia under\nthe SPRING project. In particular, the Project Manager will:<\/span>
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Draft terms of reference for market studies, value\n chain profiles, sector analyses, bottleneck studies and related\n assignments.<\/span>
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Support the selection, contracting and supervision\n of external experts and service providers.<\/span>
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Coordinate the implementation of assignments,\n ensuring that planning, procedures, deadlines and donor requirements are\n respected.<\/span>
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Liaise regularly with partners, beneficiaries,\n service providers, local stakeholders, the SPRING project implementation\n team and relevant internal COLEAD departments.<\/span>
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Act as the Market Insights focal point in The\n Gambia, ensuring the coordination, visibility and effective implementation\n of Market Insights\-related activities carried out in the country.<\/span>
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Ensure the technical quality of Market Insights\n deliverables by reviewing methodology, data sources, consistency of\n findings, quality of analysis, clarity of recommendations and relevance\n for target users.<\/span>
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Organise review rounds with external experts and\n internal teams to ensure that deliverables meet COLEAD quality standards\n before being shared with beneficiaries or published externally.<\/span>
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Support the organisation and facilitation of\n consultations, interviews, workshops, group discussions and validation\n meetings with companies, producer organisations, public institutions,\n experts and other relevant stakeholders.<\/span>
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Plan and support dissemination activities,\n including presentations, workshops, webinars, publications, newsletter\n articles, social media content and other communication formats.<\/span>
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Oversee\n related project administration, including activity planning, monitoring,\n documentation, reporting and invoicing.<\/span><\/span>
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2.<\/u><\/span><\/span> <\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Monitor market trends, data and\nsector developments<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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The Market Insights\nProject Manager will contribute to the monitoring, analysis and sharing of\nmarket information relevant to COLEAD programmes. In particular:<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Stay up to date on agri\-food industry trends, particularly in the\nhorticulture sector, with specific attention to developments relevant to The\nGambia under the SPRING project.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Monitor diverse news sources, reports, studies, databases and market\ninformation platforms at national, regional and international levels.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Attend and follow relevant trade fairs, webinars, conferences and\nstakeholder meetings.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Use and maintain the Market Insights data warehouse, including trade,\nproduction, price and market\-related datasets, to perform data analysis and\nrespond to internal and external data queries on an ad hoc basis.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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3.<\/u><\/span><\/span> <\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Contribute to cross\-functional and\nthematic work<\/u><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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The Market Insights\nProject Manager will also contribute to cross\-functional activities within\nCOLEAD. In particular:<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Support other COLEAD departments in cross\-cutting activities, including\nproofreading and correcting texts, drafting notes, reviewing documents and\ncontributing to brainstorming sessions.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Participate in programme planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation\nactivities.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Support the organisation of tenders and procurement processes for selecting\nexternal service providers contributing to Market Insights activities within\nCOLEAD programmes.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Contribute to annual programme planning and activity scheduling, ensuring\nthat Market Insights activities in The Gambia are properly integrated into the\nbroader COLEAD programme framework.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Contribute to the organisation, documentation and internal sharing of\nMarket Insights knowledge products, datasets, templates and lessons learned<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Requirements<\/h3>
The position requires a well\-organised,\nautonomous and rigorous professional, able to coordinate activities, manage\nroutine administrative tasks and contribute to the delivery of high\-quality\nMarket Insights outputs in line with COLEAD and donor procedures.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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The candidate should meet the following\nrequirements:<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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At least a high school diploma,\n complemented by an additional diploma, certificate or qualification\n relevant to the position, such as agricultural engineering, agricultural economics,<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>agribusiness, marketing, agri\-food economics,\n ...<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Minimum five years of relevant\n professional experience, preferably in project coordination, programme\n administration, market analysis, agri\-food value chains, private sector\n development or development cooperation.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Fluency in English both written and spoken <\/span><\/span>,\n French and other languages are considered an asset<\/span><\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Very good command of digital tools,\n including excellent proficiency in MS Excel and good knowledge of\n Microsoft Office and online collaboration tools.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Ability to carry out basic data analysis,\n organise information, identify inconsistencies and solve problems\n independently.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Ability to carry out routine\n administrative activities in line with organisational standards and\n procedures, including planning, documentation, reporting, filing, meeting\n preparation and follow\-up of contracts or invoices.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Strong communication and interpersonal\n skills, with the ability to interact professionally with different\n departments, colleagues, experts, service providers, beneficiaries and\n other stakeholders.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Critical and analytical mindset, with the\n ability to review sources, data and deliverables and contribute to\n improving the quality, relevance and clarity of outputs.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Knowledge of the agri\-food sector, and\n preferably horticultural value chains.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Ability to use digital tools and artificial intelligence responsibly\n to improve the efficiency and quality of Market Insights activities would\n be an asset.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Benefits<\/h3>

<\/b><\/span><\/span>This is a full\-time position based in Banjul, with an initial contract duration of one (1) year, renewable.<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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You will be based in The Gambia, but travel within The Gambia or to other ACP countries and Belgium for short\-term missions, might be required.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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The position is to be filled as soon as possible.<\/span>
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We offer a competitive remuneration package aligned with market standards and reflective of the candidate\u2019s experience and qualifications. The contractual arrangement will be determined by COLEAD based on the candidate\u2019s profile, experience, and the applicable legal framework in The Gambia, following a careful analysis of the most appropriate contractual modality.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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Joining COLEAD means becoming part of a passionate multicultural team. It's also an opportunity to enjoy an enriching experience within a civil society organisation working for cooperation and development in the agri\-food industry. COLEAD's values are commitment, difference, humanity, performance and continuous improvement.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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To apply, please send your CV + cover letter + references by Friday 10th July 2026<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>
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