Zonal Agro-Processing/Agribusiness Officer at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - 4 Positions

The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a loan front the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the implementation of Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-I (ATASP-I). The ATASP-I will contribute to the objectives of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government by addressing the constraints of Rice. Sorghum and Cassava value chains in four staple crop processing zones of Adani-Omor, Bida-Badeggi, Kano-Jigawa and Kebbi-Sokoto. The Program comprises three complementary and mutually reinforcing components viz: Infrastructure Development; Commodity Value Chain Development; and Program Management. The specific objective of the program is to contribute to food and nutrition security, employment generation, and wealth creation along the priority commodity value chains.

The Program will be implemented through four (4) Zonal Offices. The Zones are: Adani-Omor with Head Office at Awka: Bida-Badeggi with Head Office at Bida; Kano-Jigawa with Head Office at Kano and Kebbi-Sokoto with Head Officer at Birnin Kebbi.

For effective Zonal Program take-off the ATASP-I is constituting a Zonal Program Coordination ream (ZPCT) at each of the 4Nos Zonal Program Head Offices. Consequently, part of the proceeds of the ATASP-I loan will be applied to engage the services of Officers at each officers four (4) Zonal Program Head Offices:

Job Title: Zonal Agro-Processing/Agribusiness Officer

Location: Nigeria
Slot: 4

Main Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Zonal Program Coordinator, the Zonal Agro-Processing/Agribusiness Officer will assess the constraint on agro processing/agribusiness and develop a road map and strategy for modernizing the agro-processing industry.

Specific Duties:

• Identify the main institutional, infrastructure. and technical constraints to increasing value addition in agriculture, including barriers to entry of the private sector.
• Assess the technical adequacy of the agro-processing industry and, together with the agribusiness specialist on the NPCT, recommend interventions to improve and modernize the industry.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Economics, Marketing or Business Management
• A Masters degree in any one of these areas is added advantage.
• At least 8 years experience in farm planning and economic analysis with extensive experience in small to medium scale agro-enterprise management.
• He/She will have extensive practical experience in the domestic agro-processing industry. Experience with externally funded development programs would be desirable, preferably with experience in market oriented projects
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate. monitor, and report on his/her own work plan, including meeting deadlines.
• Self-motivated, team player, able to work with minimum supervision
• Excellent interpersonal and community outreach skills.
• Computer literate with proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel).
• Familiarity with results-based management.
• Working knowledge of the operational modalities for national and international NGOs is desirable.

Location and Reporting
Officers of the ATASP-1 will be located at the Zonal Program Headquarters, reporting to their respective Zonal Program Coordinators.

Terms of Appointment
maximum of five years, renewable every year subject to satisfactory performance. The performance criteria will be the indicator for assessing every officer.

Application Closing Date
13th August, 2015.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit ten (10) copies of his/her application. All application should be addressed to the following addresses, depending on the State and Stable Crop Processing Zone of Interest:

Adani-Omor Stable Crop Processing Zone
Enugu State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture,
No 1, Garden Avenue,
Enugu State.

Anambra State:
The Hon. Commissioner,
Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development,
ADP Compound, Kwata Junction,
Km 41 Enugu, Onitsha Express Road,
Awka,
Anambra State.

Bida-Badeggi Staple Crop Processing Zone
Niger State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Niger State Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development,
Abdulkarim Lafene Secretariat,
Minna,
Niger State.

Kano-Jigawa Stable Crop Processing Zone
Kano State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Kano State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources,
No 1, Bida Road, Off Post Office road, by Civic centre road,
Kano State.

Jigawa State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Jigawa State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources,
Block B, New State Secretariat Complex,
Dutse,
Jigawa State.

Kebbi-Sokoto Stable Crop Processing Zone
Kebbi State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Kebbi State Ministry of Agriculture,
Gwadan Gwaji State Secretariat Complex,
Birnin Kebbi,
Kebbi State.

Sokoto State:
The IFAD-CBARDP Coordinator,
ADP Premisis,
Abdullahi Fodio Road,
Sokoto State.

All application must be addressed and delivered to the above address. Applicants should ensure that the position applied for as well as State and the Zones are clearly written on the top right hand corner of the envelope.

Note: Only Short listed candidates will be contacted.