National Programme Coordinator at the Federal Department of Rural Development (FDRD)

Federal Department of Rural Development (FDRD) - The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a credit from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the implementation of Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP).

The VCDP will address the constraints along the cassava and rice Value Chains in Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue, Taraba. Niger and Ogun States. The programme comprises three complementary and mutually reinforcing components viz: Agricultural Market Development; Smallholder Productivity Enhancement: and Programme Coordination and Management.

The specific objective of the Programme is to enhance on a sustainable basis, the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in the participating states.

For effective programme take-off, the FMARD is constituting a National Programme Management Unit (NPMU) at the Programme Headquarters in Abuja. Consequently, part of the proceeds of the VCDP credit will be applied to engage the services of the following officer at the Programme Headquarters, Abuja.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: National Programme Coordinator (NPC)

Location: Abuja

Responsibilities

• The National Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the Agricultural Value Chain Programme.
• She/he will also be responsible for managing the team of experts within the NPMU and ensuring their performance and that of the Service providers hired to implement programme activities.
• A key element of the position will be to ensure that the programme achieve its development objectives.

Specific Duties:

• Head the secretariat of the National Programme Steering Committee (NPSC).
• Responsible for the coordination of implementation of the programme among the participating states.
• Provide guidance to the Programme Staff at both the national and state levels.
• Liaise with other relevant Programmes and Technical Departments in the Public sector and Private Sector Consolidate the State Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) and submit to NPSC and IFAD for approval.
• Oversee the contracting of support staff and consultants, particularly Value Chain Service Providers.
• Supervision and coordination of the State Programme Management Unit (SPMU).
• Convene and host periodic meeting with the staff of SPMU.
• Ensure timely delivery of quality reports (AWPB, semi-annual reports, financial statements, audit reports, RIMS data, etc) to FDRD and IFAD.
• Coordinate supervision mission and ensure the implementation of recommendations (supervision and audits).
• Organize impact evaluation, beneficiary assessment, Mid-Term Review and Final Evaluation of the project.

Reporting and Location:

• The position will be in the NPMU office located in Abuja. The NPC will report directly to Director, FDRD, and indirectly to the National Programme Steering Committee (NPSC). As the secretary to the NPSC, the NPC will also report quarterly to the NPSC.

Terms of Appointment:

• Two year contract, subject to renewal for a maximum of 6 years, based on performance.

Qualification and Experience

• Masters or Higher Level University Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics or other relevant discipline
• Minimum of 15 years post-qualification experience, Including at least 10 years in agriculture-related management position of donor funded projects.
• Proven record in the field of project preparation, coordination and supervision of agricultural projects, particularly agricultural Value Chain.
• Good writing skills and computer literacy will be an advantage.

Application Closing Date
18th February, 2014.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications to:

The Director,
Federal Department of Rural Development
No. 30 127, Algiers Street,
Beside PDP National Secretariat,
Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, FCT.

Note: 

• This position is open to serving public officers as well as other interested candidates.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications must bear the positions applied for, on the top right hand side of the envelopes.