Chemonics International Inc Recruits Cocoa Value Chain Advisor

Chemonics International Inc., a leading international development firm based in Washington, D.C (www.chemonics.com), seeks qualified candidates for the position of Cocoa Value Chain Advisor for a five-year agricultural value-chain development project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The position will initially be based in Southern Regional Office Lagos but this could change depending on program development to Cross River or other major Cocoa producing states. Any successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:

Job Title: Cocoa Value Chain Advisor

Job Summary
The Cocoa Value chain advisor will provide Nigerian producers and processors of cocoa products with training on appropriate production and harvest/post-harvest handling techniques that must be adopted if Nigeria is to succeed in becoming a competitive producer of cocoa products; and to develop production, processing and marketing strategies for other cocoa products which have the potential to be competitively produced in Nigeria. In addition to technical tasks, the Cocoa Value Chain advisor will assist with monitoring and evaluation activities, drafting scopes of work and helping with work planning, and the writing of annual and quarterly reports.

Specific Duties of the Cocoa Value Chain advisor

• As directed by the Director of Agricultural Productivity, the Cocoa Value Chain Advisor is charged with supervision of activities, directly or via delegation, as is appropriate. These include but are not limited to the following tasks:
• Develop cocoa work plan
• Implementation of cocoa specific plans of action in collaboration with partners and client firms; and, design training programs as needed for successful implementation in cocoa production, handling/processing, certification, storage, packing, transporting, etc.
• Manage the planning, implementation and monitoring of cocoa specific activities including but not limited to: drafting scopes of work for short-term consultancies; identifying expatriate and local trainers, technical advisors, and marketing value chain advisors in support of cocoa program activities; coordinating work of local and expatriate consultants to ensure timely delivery of quality products; developing terms of reference for service providers and supervising their activities, and supervisory review of the cocoa development action plans and the effectiveness of activities.
• Facilitate market studies and market linkage analyses that will contribute to building commodity-chain awareness, improving marketing infrastructure, and enhancing domestic competitiveness.
• Establish close and effective working relations with key organizations and ensure integration and coordination of cocoa development activities with other donor, government or private initiatives targeting the cocoa sector.
• Provide technical assistance to producers and agribusinesses in order to identify needs and enhance the business skills for market development and product branding based on consumer preferences and quality requirements; achieve greater yields of high quality products by demonstrating appropriate techniques, including but not limited to site selection, plantation rejuvenation, application of cocoa specific fertilizer, facilitate producers and processors’ access to credit, inputs, and other related services; conduct marketing assessments and develop investments plans in collaboration with interested partners to advise on type of equipment to be sourced, international procurement options, and the implementation of internationally recognized certification schemes.
• Provide input to quarterly and annual reports, and work planning exercises.
• Responsible for the collection of data from partners and submission of same to the M & E unit.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Director of Agricultural Productivity and/or the Senior Program Manager Lagos considered necessary to achieve success and which are consistent with the overall nature of the contract and the work plan.

Qualification
A minimum of Masters degree in Agronomy, 5-7 years professional experience in Cocoa value chain management in USAID or other donor funded projects.

Reports to: Director of Agricultural Productivity and by delegation to the Senior Program Manager in Lagos.

Application Closing Date
1st February, 2013

Method of Application
Interested candidates who meet the above minimum qualification and work experience should apply by sending, a cover letter and full CV detailing all relevant professional experience, achievements, including three professional references to: recruitment@nigeriamarkets.org

Please specify Cocoa Value Chain Advisors in the subject line. Chemonics is an Equal Opportunity Employer.