Agricultural Production Officer at Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, government of Nigeria has secured credit from the international Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the implementation of Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). The VCDP will focus on addressing constraints along the cassava and rice value chains in targeted LGAs in Ebonyi State. The Progamme comprises of three complementary and mutually reinforcing components via Agricultural Market Development, Small holder Productivity Enhancement, and Programme Coordination and Management.

The specific development objective of the Programme is that the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in the targeted LGAs are enhanced on a sustainable basis in the participating states.

As part of the preparatory activities towards the commencement of programme in the State, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is constituting the State Programme Management Unit (SPMU) at the State Programme Headquarters.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is recruiting for the position of:

Job Title: Agricultural Production Officer

Location: Ebonyi

Specific duties

• Responsible for the coordination and supervision of the Component of the project, Support to small holder production at state level,
• Work in close collaboration with the Rural Institutions and Gender Mainstreaming officer at state level in periodic meetings held at SPMU and during joint and in periodic field visits.
• Provide guidance to NGOs/Service providers hired to implement the activities and oversee the overall process of selection of target FOs and beneficiaries in close -collaboration with the Rural Institutions and Gender Mainstreaming officer.
• Liaise with other relevant programmes and technical departments in the Public sector at state level ouch as ADP, the National Agricultural-Sued
• Council the National Root and Tuber Coop Research Institute, the National Cereals Research Institute
• Contribute to the Design of the overall distribution scheme of certified seeds/improved cassava cuttings, fertilizers and herbicides and equipment at state and LGA level.
• Supervise and coordinate the distribution of certified seeds/improved cassava cuttings, fertilizers and herbicides and equipment at state and LGA level including the delivery of good at LGA level.
• Supervise the service provider in charge of as implementing the activity. promotion and dissemination of sustainable agricultural practices through the FFS approach .
• Contribute to the drafting of periodic project progress reports at state level and.
• Contribute to the state annual work plan and budget.

Qualification/Experience

• Masters or Higher level Sensitivity Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture and other relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience including at least 2 years in implementation of productivity enhancement project
• Knowledge in participatory approach, gender mainstreaming and Farmers Field School approach will be appreciated.
• Proven record in the field of project implementation of productivity projects and.
• Good writing skills and computer literacy will be an advantage.

Application Closing Date
6th May 2014

Method of Application
Each applicant should send his or her application together with their Curriculum Vitae (CV) electronically to: [email protected] in addition to the submission of 10 (ten) hard copies of the application, CV and photocopies of educational qualifications in sealed envelop indicating the position applied for at the top left hand corner of the envelop to:

The Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources State Secretariat,
Opposite Unity Square,
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Note: All late submission will be rejected

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.