Project Advisor - Private Sector and Youth Development at Oxfam Nigeria

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 independent aid and development organisations networked together to fight poverty and injustice around the world. Working with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries, the mission of Oxfam is a just world without poverty. With a conviction that people are well capable of building a life devoid of poverty on their own once given the chance to do so, Oxfam works with partners on projects in developing countries, lobbies companies and governments to take into account the interests of the poorest people and campaigns to ensure men and women are involved in decisions on issues that affect their lives. In Nigeria, Oxfam’s focus areas are Economic Justice/Livelihoods, Humanitarian Programming, Gender Justice / Female Leadership and Good Governance, adopting a rights-based approach. The overarching goal is to enable people exercise their rights and manage their own lives.

Oxfam in Nigeria with funding support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is implementing a five year Livelihoods and Nutrition Empowerment (LINE) project in Bauchi State. The project is aimed at improving the livelihoods for 10.000 poor and vulnerable households through increased farm productivity, enhanced market access, better nutrition and a more enabling environment for business development in 6 LGAs in Bauchi state.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position for the LINE Project:

Job Title: Project Advisor - Private Sector and Youth Development

Location: Bauchi

Main Tasks

• Coordinate development and implementation activities for the LINE project including conduct of Value Chain Analysis and packaging interventions to address critical gaps associated with targeted commodities.
• Develop Annual Work Plans for the implementation of the project in collaboration with the project team
• Develop comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) to guide key partnership related activities between Oxfam, Private Sector actors and others in the implementation of the project based on agreed framework of operations that enhances value chain development using innovative Market Based Agricultural Models.
• Ensure the baseline captures comprehensive, quality data on Private Sector actors, Rural Financial Institutions and Markets to guide the implementation of Market Based Agricultural livelihoods component of the LINE project.
• Undertake financial intermediation with a focus on Rural Financial Services intermediation.
• Identify and network relevant Rural Micro-Financial organizations in order to expand scope for beneficiary in rural financing of activities.
• Coordinate systematic appraisal, assessment and implementation of institutional development plans of selected project partners according to agreed plans with the Project Manager.
• Develop, manage and implement selected value chains activity plans for the LINE project.
• Organise and lead key project development planning meetings.
• Support the Project Manager in managing relations with project partners for effective project delivery.
• Ensure quality project planning and implementation is carried out within the framework of the project.
• Organise and support business development training and services to partner staff involved in the implementation of project activities around bulking of commodities.
• Assist the Project Manager in recruiting and line managing private consultants for specific short-term assignments including facilitating the development of their work plans, monitor their fieldwork and organise debriefings sessions of with consultants.
• To provide professional services, mentoring and counselling advisory services to partners on developing and implementing Business Plans with project beneficiaries.
• To work with Business Associations and Village Savings and Loans groups formed to enhance group governance capacity and decision-making including facilitation of rural micro-financial services to the target LINE project beneficiaries.
• Maintain effective communication on the progress of the project and ensure project learning in relation to Markets and Private Sector engagement is documented for communication with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in consultation with the Project Manager.
• Carry out periodic monitoring visits to project partners and project implementation sites, verify outputs indicated in progress reports submitted to Oxfam by partners and produce project activity and progress reports. Support the production of reports for the donor as well as reports for wider circulation within Oxfam in consultation with Project Manager – as appropriate.
• Participate in the process of annual impact assessment for the project and participate in other similar processes on the project as advised.

Education and Relevant Experience

• Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or any other Social Sciences / Development related field.
• Minimum of five years experience working with the Private Sector, preferably on Business Development programmes and financial services.
• At least three years field experience in working on community development, with community groups and community associations, particularly women groups in Northern Nigeria.
• Demonstrable skills in Business Development, Private Sector integration into rural livelihoods initiatives and/or Microfinance Development and Management especially the Village Savings and Loans schemes.
• Good understanding of development principles of social inclusion, diversity and gender equity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong initiative, tenacity and proven capacity to get the job done. Ability to work independently and under minimum supervision.
• Understanding of and commitment to good donor contract management as well as development principles and action.
• Excellent computer skills
• Fluent in written and spoken English and at least one of the Northern language.

Application Closing Date
2nd June, 2016

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's and Motivational Letter in English to: [email protected]

Note: Applications sent to the enquiry e-mail will be disqualified