TechnoServe is a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty. A nonprofit organization operating in 29 countries, we work with enterprising men and women in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. By linking people to information, capital, and markets, we have helped millions to create lasting prosperity for their families and communities.
Founded over 50 years ago, TechnoServe has been named the #1 nonprofit for fighting poverty by the Impact Matters charity ratings agency.
A pan-African fintech company operating a food processing marketplace for community-level sourcing of raw produce seeks TechnoServe’s support in expanding its operations across Northern Nigeria, unlocking thousands of jobs for rural youth along the value chain.
The digital marketplace currently operates in 12 states and 39 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria, trading rice, maize, soybean, and sorghum. In order to develop a strategic approach to expansion, TechnoServe anticipates supporting the company to identify areas of high opportunity, mapping community-level production of cereal goods, existing trading infrastructure, and supporting agribusinesses along the value chain.
The project will aim to conduct field surveys, gathering information on 20,000 youth, 30,000 farmers and 1,500 agribusinesses across 50 LGAs in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, Niger and Taraba states
Job Summary
TechnoServe seeks a Project Manager for an anticipated in-depth data gathering and market assessment project for a Pan-African technology firm that operates a digital marketplace for agriculture commodities in Nigeria.
The Project Manager will be responsible for leading the program, including overseeing a team of researchers, analysts, data verifiers, and enumerators who will gather and assess information on farmers and agribusinesses across 6 states and 50 LGAs in Nigeria.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities
Lead overall implementation and management of the anticipated program, from inception to close-out
Provide strategic guidance, leadership, management and general technical oversight of the program
Manage a team of nine staff, including recruitment and management of short-term contractors for data verification and GIS mapping
Lead the development and implementation of the youth recruitment component of the project
Continuously develop operational efficiencies and drive innovations in delivery, ensuring that the program develops and submits deliverables on time and within budget
Serve as the primary liaison with the donor
Basic Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent in Agricultural Economics, International Development, Business, Economics, Public Policy or other relevant area,
5-7 years’ experience in project leadership, managing large teams in relevant private sector or development programs.
Prior experience leading large-scale primary data gathering initiatives, impact assessments or monitoring and evaluation for a large development program
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience living and working in Nigeria or West Africa.
Experience managing or implementing large-scale studies for the agriculture sector and/or in rural environments
Demonstrated ability to use adaptive management principles to make strategic, data-driven decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.
Results-oriented, with demonstrated experience achieving project targets.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong leadership skills and demonstrated experience in managing complex, multi-disciplinary, and challenging field operations in developing countries, West Africa preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of primary data-gathering methodologies, including use of digital surveying tools such as Commcare
High level of computer literacy (primarily in Microsoft Office packages).
Demonstrated experience conducting or managing field surveys, coordinating focus groups / stakeholder interviews, and conducting quantitative and qualitative data analysis
Strong interpersonal and communications skills and the ability to effectively motivate and manage teams
Strong private sector market orientation, entrepreneurial, and innovative thinker. Demonstrated capacity to work with private sector players (financial institutions, buyers, traders, transporters, input suppliers, processors in the agriculture value chain) and state governments.
Ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and activities
We welcome hearing from qualified and interested applicants. Due to a high volume of applicants, please understand that we are able to contact only those who meet the minimum qualifications. No phone calls, please.
TechnoServe encourages diversity at all levels and across all facets of our organization. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability, and all other protected classes.
TechnoServe is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all facets of employment, including the employment application and selection process. If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact Human Resources Department at: [email protected]