Zonal Program Coordinator 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 of the four (4) Zonal Program Head Offices:

Job Title: Zonal Program Coordinator

Location: Nigeria
Slots: 4

Main Responsibilities

• The Zonal Program Coordinator will be responsible toe the overall management and implementation of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase I (ATASP-I) at the Zone.
• He/She will also be responsible for managing the team of experts within the ZPCT and ensuring their performance and that of the service providers hired to implement program activities.
• A key element of the position will be to ensure that the Program achieves its development objectives.

Specific Duties

• Coordinate and supervise all Zonal activities of the ATASP- I, in direct liaison with the National Program Coordinator (NPC).
• Organize and conduct program coordination meetings, as well as facilitating the Zonal Steering Committee (ZSC), including providing all information required by the committee and acting as the secretary for the committee.
• Responsible for efficient and effective management of project resources, including being signatory to the program accounts.
• Coordinate the recruitment of technical assistants to fill the positions in the ATASP-l, required for implementation of the program at the zone.
• Appraise ATASP- I renal technical staff on regular basis on job performance and otherwise, and ensure effective supervision of other contracted service providers.
• With the assistance and guidance of the zonal procurement officer, take full responsibility for procurement of services in project implementation.
• As the head of the renal program implementation team, coordinate and supervise time activities of implementing Partners, in particular NGOs and Consultant Technical Services Providers (TSPs) to ensure effective delivery of Programs services.
• Promote collaboration with other partners, including the private sector. in program implementation.
• Ensure effective planning and execution of program activities its accordance with the appraisal report and loan / grant agreements. Prepare Zonal Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWPBs) and Procurement Plans for approval by the Zonal Programs Steering Committee: and ensure submission to NPC for approval by September of every year.
• Authorize the releases of funds for agreed activities and ensure timely and appropriate reporting on progress and problems of Program implementation, including Quarterly and Annual Progress Reports, a Mid-Term Review Report. Audit Reports and Project Completion Report, in accordance with agreed reporting format.
• Coordinate and fully participate in the activities of the Banks supervision missions with all national stakeholders in the mission activities.
• Ensure that all program staff prepare and agree on performance objectives and criteria at the beginning of every year. Appraise program staff performance on monthly and annual basis.
• Undertake any other responsibility that will ensure smooth and effective implementation of the Program.

Qualifications and Experiences

• Master's degree or equivalent in Agriculture, Rural Development, or a related Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness together with postgraduate qualification or proven specialized training in project management.
• Minimum of 8 years post qualification experience in the coordination of donor-funded (preferably multilateral) projects/programs with proven leadership, team building and effective communication qualities. Experience with community-based and/or small holder-oriented development initiatives is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate, and monitor his/her own work plan and those of subordinate staff.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and to make appropriate links in work processes and anticipate next steps.
• Self-motivated
• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills, including negotiation skills
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, including presentations.
• Computer literacy with proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word. Excel and Power Point applications.
• Well-developed organizational skills
• Thorough knowledge of Government and private sector institutional and organizational structures and operations in general. Experience in Nigeria is required.

Reporting and location

• The position will be in the ZPCT Office. The ZPC will report directly to NPC as well as indirectly to the Zonal Program Steering Committee (ZPSC).
• As the secretary to the ZPSC, the ZPC will also tenors to the ZPSC.

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.