Chief of Party - Agro-Input to Production Expansion (APEx) at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization addressing critical issues such as international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency. IFDC focuses on increasing productivity across the agricultural value chain in developing countries. This is achieved by the creation and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.

IFDC is recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief of Party - Agro-Input to Production Expansion (APEx)

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• The Agro-Input to Production Expansion (APEx) project is a USAID funded project that supports the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) of Nigeria to improve the functioning of the agricultural inputs market. The goal of the APEx project is to attain a private sector led agricultural input market in Nigeria supporting agricultural producers to secure improved availability, accessibility, and affordability of agricultural inputs. The strategic objectives of the project are:

a.) Enhanced efficiency of the Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme to better serve Nigerian smallholders.
b.) Increased availability of agricultural inputs by strengthening the role of the private sector in agro-input supply.
c.) Improved economic performance of Nigeria's agricultural sector.

• The APEx project proposes a set of activities to attain these objectives consisting of the following components:

a.) Support to FMARD and the GES Scheme (including supply chain management oversight, stakeholder training and input quality monitoring).
b.) Assistance to Private Sector Input Suppliers.
c.) Access to Finance.
d.) Gender.

• The APEx project will benefit from qualified staffing and effective project management based on IFDC's presence in Nigeria and years of experience in managing projects with similar scope and scale.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

• The main duties of the Chief of Party (CoP) will be overall project planning, implementation and management while maintaining close working relationships with FMARD, state and local governments, importers and distributors of agricultural inputs, agro-input dealers, targeted farmer communities as well as with USAID / Nigeria.
• The CoP must ensure the smooth functioning and coordination of all project functions: program development and implementation, technical guidance and management to the field teams, financial management and administration of project finances, outreach and reporting, monitoring and evaluation.
• The CoP, in close collaboration with the project team and consultants, will seek to ensure the technical quality and appropriateness of the technical services provided through the project and the quality of the results generated.
• The CoP will ensure coordination and collaboration with related project activities in Nigeria funded by FMARD and other donors.
• The CoP will have technical and management responsibility for all project personnel and will be the IFDC representative to USAID, line ministries, state governments and multinationals, technical agencies and other participating organizations as required. 
• The CoP will report to the IFDC Division portfolio manager.
  

Required Skills

• Proven and extensive project management experiences, preferably in a public-private partnership setting in Africa.
• Master’s degree in agriculture, economics, business administration or related field required.
• Demonstrated ability in the concepts, principles, methods and techniques of delivering training, technical assistance and extension services for rural development.
• Demonstrated skills in effectively negotiating with host governments, donors, UN agencies, other USAID projects, local organizations and partners.
• Ability to successfully manage and professionally develop staff as demonstrated by past experience.
• Ability to manage cooperative agreements, contracts and grant making programs with all reporting requirements.
• Ability to perform internal control functions to manage day-to-day operations of the project.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally in small audience and large audience settings.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills in English.
• Ability to travel frequently within Nigeria and the West African region.
• Able to work in challenging environments.
• High level of initiative and enthusiasm.

Required Experience

• At least 15 years of experience successfully managing complex, results-based, international rural development programs (implementation, logistics, budget, staffing) funded by USAID or other international donors.
• Prior experience working in West Africa is a must; working experience in Nigeria is preferable.
• Demonstrated ability in the concepts, principles, methods and techniques of delivering training, technical assistance and extension services for rural development.
• Demonstrated skills in effectively negotiating with host governments, donors, UN agencies, other USAID projects, local organizations and partners.

Application Closing Date
Not Stated

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply