Market Systems/Value Chains Team Lead at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on vulnerable children, agriculture, health and HIV, extractives and governance, and peace building programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Market Systems/Value Chains Team Lead
      
Job Ref Code: VCT121118
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Department: Programs/ Rural Resilience Project
Band: 9
Reports to: Deputy Chief of Party
Required Travel: To field locations in Nigeria
Work Environment: Abuja office

Context

• CRS is preparing for an anticipated multi-million-dollar, multi-year USAID/Nigeria Rural Resilience Program, which will support poverty reduction for vulnerable households in Nigeria. 
• This effort will contribute to CRS’ agriculture and livelihoods signature program area and ongoing efforts to promote resilience, recovery and development within Nigeria and neighboring countries around the Lake Chad Basin. 

Job Summary

• The Market Systems/Value Chains Team Lead will provide strategic guidance in market systems / value chains across the program. 
• S/he will lead the program’s efforts to invest sustainably in agribusiness particularly targeting smallholder farmers. 

Specific Job Responsibilities

• Provide overall strategic guidance and leadership on viable value chains across the program; ensuring thorough assessments and analysis of commercial viability (return on investment, Cost – benefit, profit margins, cash-flow requirements, supply and demand modelling) of potential value chains before investment.
• Working jointly with other stakeholders and relevant government ministries and department agencies (MDAs), develop sustainable intervention strategies for prioritized value chains.
• Work closely with other project managers to demonstrate and promote commercial viability of selected value chains and agribusinesses.
• Liaise with private sector partners to promote sustainable commercial markets for prioritized value chains.
• Support adoption of appropriate technologies in agricultural production and post-harvest processing to reduce costs and increase commercial viability of selected value chains.
• Ensure compliance with CRS and USAID policies and requirements.
• Agency Wide Competences (for all CRS staff):
• These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Accountability and Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
• Committed to Continuous Improvement and Innovation
• Has a Strategic Mindset

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Finance, Business Development, Economics or other relevant field.
• At least 10 years of international experience in supporting value chains across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Prior experience on donor-funded projects of a similar size (over US$ 10M) and scope in developing countries.
• Demonstrated ability to reach under-served communities and design products for excluded population segments including young women and men.
• Experience programmatic and financial reporting requirements especially on small and medium size enterprises.
• Experience with USAID rules, regulations and requirements is preferred.
• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa required.  Prior experience in Nigeria preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

Application Closing Date
27th November, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should download the "Application Form Below" and send with a detailed Resume as one document in Pdf to: ng.recruitment_agriculture@crs.org indicating the position being applied for and the Job Ref Code as the subject of the application (e.g.Market Systems/Value Chains Team Lead, VCT121118)

Click here to download Application Form (MS Word)

Click here to download Job Description (MS Word)

Note

• The above job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
• CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
• Internal applicants are encouraged to apply within the first 10 days of posting.
• "CRS is an equal - opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, etc.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply”.
• Statement of Commitment to Protection:
• "CRS" recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation’’.