Project Director at Winrock International

Winrock is a recognized leader in U.S. and international development with a focus on social and environmental issues. As a mission driven, field-based organization, we believe that sustainable development is inclusive and that complex challenges require integrated solutions. Winrock embraces continuous quality improvement and a culture of impact, accountability and entrepreneurship.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Director, Nigeria Farmers and Families Forward

Location: Nigeria
Department: Agriculture & Enterprise
Report To: Senior Director of Agriculture & Enterprise

Postion Summary

• Winrock International is currently recruiting Project Director candidates for the anticipated Nigeria Farmers and Families Forward activity. This will be a three-year, $1.6 million project, co-funded by USAID/Nigeria and Nestlé to support Nestlé’s cereals plan for maize and soybean in Nigeria's Kaduna State.
• The project will support broad-based, economic growth in Nigeria by improving the on-farm practices of smallholder farmer suppliers to arrest the growth of mycotoxin both pre- and post-harvest, and design viable drying practices that will reduce detected aflatoxin.
• The approach will support smallholder farmer suppliers to meet the increasing demands of Nestlé cereal factories in the region by reducing the high levels of aflatoxin and other contaminates.
• The Project Director position will be based in Kaduna State and is subject to a project award being made to Winrock International.

Major Responsibilities

• The Project Director will provide overall technical and operational direction to the project.
• S/he will be the primary point of contact for coordination between USAID/Nigeria, Nestlé, and Winrock HQ.
• S/he will be responsible for developing and leading the project’s technical approach to pre- and post-harvest interventions, including scaling available technologies in collaboration with the Senior Technical Advisor.
• The Project Director will also provide capacity building to project staff and partners.
• The Project Director will also oversee project management systems for finance and administration, logistics, human resources and strategic operation.
• S/he will ensure the completion of time reports, evaluation, analyses, assessments, and deliverables that meet USAID quality control/assurance standards and provide hands-on guidance and support to project activities and personnel.
• S/he will also be responsible for identifying technical assistance needs and developing scopes of work for volunteer engagement in specific technical assistance interventions.
• S/he will oversee and coordinate the project team, including a Senior Technical Advisor, an accountant and participating volunteers.

Qualifications and Background
Education:

• Advanced Degree in Business, Agronomy, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively senior experience managing agriculture/value chain projects;
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Project Director or equivalent, including demonstrated experience managing private sector-funded programs and/or creating private sector linkages in agricultural value chains;
• Demonstrated experience implementing pre- and post-harvest interventions in the maize and soy value chains;
• Proven record of achieving development impact in projects focusing on food safety and export quality standards in commercial agribusiness, service provision, market development and investment promotion.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Demonstrated experience and leadership in the formation of market linkages, supply of technical assistance and inputs to smallholder producers, creating producer-market linkages, public-private partnerships and corresponding business/investment plans.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Excellent budget management skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Huasa strongly preferred.

Application closing Date
31st March, 2017.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send a current resume and cover letter to: [email protected] with "Nigeria Project Director" in the subject line.