Technical Advisor - Agricultural Livelihoods at Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Technical Advisor - Agricultural Livelihoods

Location: Abuja

Job Description

• The Agricultural Livelihoods Technical Advisor will provide technical leadership, guidance and capacity strengthening to PEPFAR OVC Implementing Partners (IPs) in the areas of agriculture and livelihood security.
• He/She will focus on technical assistance aimed at improved household food security and resilience and strengthened community-based safety nets such as food banks.
• He/She will identify (and develop if necessary) strategies, approaches and tools to support and strengthen the implementation of agriculture and livelihood activities being provided by PEPFAR OVC IP civil society/community-based organizations (CSO/CBOs) to support household graduation and transition.
• Focus areas include crop improvements, crop diversification, value addition, improved storage, producer groups (crop, livestock, and fisheries), agro-enterprise, and collective marketing.
• This position will work closely with the Household Economic Strengthening Technical Director and Household Economic Strengthening Technical Officer to ensure alignment of strategies and appropriate sequencing.
• He/She will support IPs to liaise with relevant government ministries, other technical experts and agencies working in the field of on agriculture and livelihoods.
• The position will also include regular mentoring and visits to the field and conduct supportive supervision of the IPs and CSOs.

Specific Responsibilities
Technical Leadership and Assistance:

• Provide technical leadership and guidance in the assessment, planning and implementation of capacity strengthening activities for PEPFAR OVC IPs related to agriculture, food security, and agricultural livelihoods; in collaboration with PEPFAR OVC IPs, HES Technical Director and Organizational Capacity Strengthening Technical Advisor ensure alignment with PEPFAR guidance and appropriateness for targeted households.
• Ensure that agriculture/agricultural livelihoods related activities are appropriately planned and costed in all State and IP sustainability plans.
• Lead the design and development of capacity strengthening of strategies, approaches and tools to support PEPFAR OVC IPs and their partner CSO/CBOs in the area of agricultural livelihoods.
• Support PEPFAR OVC IPs to identify and/or design growth opportunities and capitalize on market opportunities in the areas of livelihood security.
• Provide mentorship and technical assistance to relevant PEPFAR OVC IP and CSO/CBO staff in the areas of agricultural livelihoods and value chain development including market opportunity identification, value-addition, strengthening of producer groups for collective marketing (agriculture/livestock/fisheries) and supporting linkages to the private sector including input suppliers, traders, wholesalers and retailers to PEPFAR OVC IP and CSO/CBO staff.
• Provide technical assistance to PEPFAR OVC IPs to enhance household food security by increasing yields and reducing post-harvest losses. This may include the promotion of improved agricultural techniques, access to improved varieties, crop diversification and introduction of appropriate technology to reduce post-harvest losses.
• Support PEPFAR OVC IPs in the training of producer groups and organization of seed and tool fairs; as well as the recruitment and training of community animal health workers, as needed.
• Develop Scopes of Work for short-term technical assistance/consultants in the area of agriculture, food security and agricultural livelihoods; support PEPFAR OVC IPs in the same.

Partnership:

• Development and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including ministries at the National, State and LGA levels, research institutions/universities, veterinary services, input suppliers, business development service providers, local entrepreneurs, traders, wholesalers and retailers key government; support PEPFAR OVC IPs to forge relationships with these stakeholders as needed to improve agriculture, food security and agricultural livelihoods programming provided by CSO/CBOs for targeted households.
• Participate in cluster technical working groups and meetings to ensure technical assistance provided to PEPFAR OVC IPs is up-to-date and aligns with industry standards.
• Represent 4Children Nigeria to donors and relevant government ministries.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:

• Provide guidance and technical assistance to IPs on the use and adoption of the latest tools and methodologies in all aspects of project management related to agriculture and livelihoods, including monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) systems.
• Document project results and impacts in various forms, including media stories, lessons learned, case studies, client satisfaction, etc.
• Provide inputs to 4Children Nigeria annual planning, monitoring, reporting and budgeting processes.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in agronomy, agricultural economics, crop/animal science or relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in management of agriculture production and/or value-chain activities in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing agriculture projects in rural and peri-urban settings.
• Demonstrated experience in training design, delivery and mentoring in subject matter relevant to this position.
• Experience the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of sustainable agriculture, food security, agricultural value-chain development (linking producers to markets) programming.
• Previous experience carrying out and using the results of technical capacity assessments in the areas of agricultural production, value-chain development, food security and related fields.
• Knowledge and experience in pastoralist systems, livestock and fisheries management, a plus.
• Strong team player with the ability to take initiative and work well independently.
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, Power-Point and Outlook.

Travel:

• This position will require significant field travel for regular interactions with the field-based implementing partners relevant government departments and other technical experts and collaborating agencies working in the field of agriculture, agricultural value chains, livelihoods and capacity strengthening.

Application Closing Date
4th February, 2016

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidate should download the CRS Application Form below and send with a detailed 3 page resume in a one-word document to: [email protected]

Click here to download the CRS Application Form