Zonal Gender and Social Development Officers 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 Gender and Social Development Officer

Location: Nigeria
Slot: 4

Main Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Zonal Program Coordinator, the Zonal Gender and Social Development Officer will ensure effective gender mainstreaming in all project activities, including the mobilization of project beneficiaries in the zone to understand the philosophy and program implementation arrangements so as to ensure their full participation.

Specific Duties
Specific responsibilities of the Zonal Gender and Social Development Officer will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• In collaboration with the M&E officer and other zonal staff, ensure effective gender mainstreaming in all project activities, including its alignment with the program's M&E system
• Ensure that all training and capacity building activities take cognizance of gender needs and include such approaches that would facilitate the effective participation of women
• a Undertake field visits in order to contribute gender aggregated data to quarterly and annual monitoring reports.
• Provide technical support to the formation and strengthening of Commodity groups to achieve program objectives
• Carry Out any tasks as may be assigned by the Zonal Program coordinator and/or the Gender and Social Development Specialist on the NPCT.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least a Bachelor's degree in Rural Development, Sociology, Extension and/or related disciplines with demonstrated practical experience as Gender expert in a donor-funded agricultural project/program.
• A Masters degree of cognate post graduate qualification in gender studies will be added advantage.
• Minimum of 8 years experience as a Gender officer in a multilateral donor funded project or program.
• A good knowledge of agricultural value chains is an added advantage
• He/she must exhibit experience in conducting gender analysis, gender assessments, gender research and facilitation of gender training.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and co-ordinate. and monitor his/her own work plan, including meeting deadlines.
• Self-motivated with ability to work under minimum supervision.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suit is essential.
• Excellent team player with interpersonal, advocacy and social mobilization skills,
• Proficiency in English language with excellent writing and communication skills.

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.