State Value Chain Infrastructure Officer (SVCIO) at Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, government of Nigeria has secured credit from the international Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the implementation of Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP). The VCDP will focus on addressing constraints along the cassava and rice value chains in targeted LGAs in Ebonyi State. The Progamme comprises of three complementary and mutually reinforcing components via Agricultural Market Development, Small holder Productivity Enhancement, and Programme Coordination and Management.

The specific development objective of the Programme is that the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in the targeted LGAs are enhanced on a sustainable basis in the participating states.

As part of the preparatory activities towards the commencement of programme in the State, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is constituting the State Programme Management Unit (SPMU) at the State Programme Headquarters.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources is recruiting for the position of:

Job Title: State Value Chain Infrastructure Officer (SVCIO)

Location: Ebonyi

Specific Duties

• Ensure that the preparatory activities and implementation of the infrastructure interventions are progressing according to the works schedule,
• Develop a detailed action plan to implement the various activities proposed under the sub-component for the State and the LGAs in close consultation with the key stakeholders.
• Select contractors and consultants as per the Programme Implementation Manual (PIM) and oversee the work of these service providers.
• Identify the target communities using the eligibility criteria developed for the sub-component. Relevant agencies such as the State Ministry of Works. Ministry of Commence anti Industry, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, River basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) where applicable, Water Board, and the LOAs should he consulted in this process.
• Ensure that contracted consultants prepare the LGA level Value Chain Action Plan (VCAP).
• The VCAP will identify critical constraints/challenges, opportunities available and recommend appropriate Value Chain (VC) linked interventions. The above mentioned key stakeholders the VC operators and the community should be part of this process.
• Supervise the construction/rehabilitation of feeder roads. the construction of agro-processing and market infrastructure (incl. water supply systems and related ancillary works) This includes the construction of stores, flood, protection dykes and rehabilitation of irrigation schemes under sub-component 2.2. implemented by contractors.
• The SVCIO will he assisted by the LGA Engineers during supervision.
• Ensure the timely procurement of agro-processing equipment and machineries.
• Quality standards indicated in the programme Design Report (PDR) should he maintained and the handover of the procured items to the target VC operators is as per the PIM and applicable matching grant modality
• Oversee that training and capacity building activities related to the infrastructure aspects are implemented.
• Establish asset/infrastructure management and maintenances procedures. This include ensuring that proper O&M is carried out by the LGAs, the VC operators and the communities using the developed procedures as supported by the LGAs engineers.
• Supervise/co-supervise the LGA Engineers and the support staffs working with them.
• provide technical guidence to partcipating insitutions on the approach of carrying out their functions related to the infrastructural aspects of the VCDP
• Ensure that the consultants give necessary technical support to the participate organizations by working closely with them and contribute to the Programme.
• Establish modalities for coordination and proper working relationship with participating institutions.
• Prepare measurement of works and certificate of payment for all infrastructure activities as supported by the LGA Engineers.
• Ensure that proper management timely utilization and reporting of the budget far the sub-component is undertaken by the State. Liaise with the concerned budget holders withinathe State Programme Management Unit (SPMU) when it comes to the support activities provided to other subcomponent
• Assist the SPM in ensuring that the Programme focus on the poorest of the poor especially women, is pursued.
• Undertake other related activities as directed by the SMP

Qualification and Experience

• A minimum of BSc University Degree in Civil Engineering.
• At least five years of practical experience in agricultural author rural development projects
• A Civil Engineer with strong background of practical experience in agricultural related civil works and agro-processing technologies contributing to rural development

Application Closing Date
6th May 2014

Method of Application
Each applicant should send his or her application together with their Curriculum Vitae (CV) electronically to: ebonyiminofagric@yahoo.com in addition to the submission of 10 (ten) hard copies of the application, CV and photocopies of educational qualifications in sealed envelop indicating the position applied for at the top left hand corner of the envelop to:

The Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources State Secretariat,
Opposite Unity Square,
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Note: All late submission will be rejected

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.