Duty Station: Lahore (with field travel across project districts)

Reporting To: Project/Marketing Specialist / Team Lead

Employment Type: Project-based / Contractual

Project Background

The PRIAT Project aims to strengthen agricultural value chains, improve market access, promote crop diversification, and increase farmer incomes and resilience across selected districts of Punjab. A key project intervention is supporting Farmer Enterprise Groups (FEGs) to establish viable small and medium agro-processing and value-addition enterprises (e.g., dehydration units, cold storage, packing houses) through sound business planning, feasibility assessment, and access to grant financing.

Role Purpose

The Business Planning Specialist will be responsible for developing high-quality, bankable business plans and pre-feasibility studies for FEGs and small/medium producer enterprises applying for PRIAT project support. This includes market analysis, technical and process design inputs, financial planning, costing, and risk assessment, culminating in comprehensive, investment-ready business plans in line with project formats and donor requirements.

The position will work closely with the Marketing Specialist, technical teams, and field staff to gather primary and secondary data, validate assumptions, and produce business plans that support FEGs in accessing grant financing and achieving commercial viability.

Key Responsibilities

Business Plan Development

• Prepare comprehensive, bankable business plans/pre-feasibility studies for FEGs and small and medium producer enterprises (e.g., dehydration units, cold storage, processing/packing units) under the PRIAT Project.

• Develop structured business plan content including executive summary, background and rationale, market analysis, proposed business model, product mix, process flow, and marketing strategy.

• Ensure business plans are tailored to the specific value chain, enterprise type, and target market (domestic and export).

Market and Financial Analysis

• Conduct market analysis including demand trends, competitor comparison, pricing, and market linkage opportunities (domestic and export).

• Develop financial projections, including project cost estimates, equipment and setup costs, production costs, and expected sales revenue.

• Assess the profitability and viability of the proposed enterprise, including how much profit is expected and how long it will take to recover the investment.

• Prepare financial statements/annexures such as profit & loss, cash flow, and balance sheet projections, along with key assumptions used.

• Assess raw material requirements, value chain and logistics gaps, and human resource needs for proposed enterprises.

Technical and Risk Inputs

• Coordinate with technical specialists to incorporate machinery, equipment, and process specifications into business plans.

• Conduct risk analysis (commodity-associated and socio-economic) and propose mitigation measures.

• Ensure business plans address regulatory compliance, quality standards, and certification requirements relevant to the enterprise/value chain.

Grant Financing and Capacity Building Support

• Develop grant disbursement plans and financing mechanisms in line with project subsidy ceilings and applicant financial allocation guidelines.

• Support FEGs and producers in understanding business plan content and financial projections as part of capacity building.

• Prepare detailed action plans and implementation timelines for proposed enterprises.

Coordination and Reporting

• Liaise with FEGs, field teams, and the Marketing Specialist to gather accurate baseline production, cost, and market data.

• Ensure business plans meet project formats, donor requirements, and quality standards prior to submission for review/approval.

• Maintain organized documentation and records of all business plans developed.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 7 years or more of general experience in his/her field of expertise.

• Proven specific experience in business planning, business modeling, or a related field for small and medium producers/enterprises.

• Experience developing feasibility studies or business plans involving market analysis, financial planning, and costing is essential.

• Experience in the agriculture/agri-processing sector and familiarity with Punjab's value chains will be preferred.

• Proficiency in MS Excel is required.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong analytical and financial planning skills.

• Excellent business writing and report presentation skills.

• Sound understanding of market analysis, costing, and investment assessment.

• Ability to translate technical and field data into clear, structured, and investment-ready business plans.

• Strong coordination skills to work with cross-functional teams and field staff.

• Ability to manage multiple business plan assignments within tight timelines.

• Willingness to undertake field travel across project districts as required.

Key Performance Indicators

• Number and quality of business plans/feasibility studies completed within agreed timelines.

• Accuracy and soundness of financial projections.

• Approval rate of submitted business plans against project/donor quality standards.

• Timeliness of coordination with FEGs, field teams, and technical specialists in data collection.

• Quality and completeness of documentation for each business plan developed.