Program Associate at HarvestPlus - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, on behalf of HarvestPlus, seeks suitable Nigerians for the position below at its country office in Ibadan:

Job Title: Program Associate

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2022-002
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (1-year renewable contract)

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Support the CBC Nigeria Program Manager to ensure technical, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring of vitamin A maize (VAM) & vitamin A cassava (VAC) crops value chains.
• Support in strengthening of institution that enhances the performance of businesses along the value chains.
• Support HarvestPlus partners and stakeholders in the implementation of projects and report project regularly.
• Develop appropriate business models and plans for the implementation and delivery of vitamin A maize (VAM) & vitamin A cassava (VAC) supply chain.
• Specifically work with seed companies to ensure production, distribution and marketing of seeds and stems.
• Work with seed companies and agro dealers to ensure access to seeds at state and LGA levels.
• Support seed value chains with demand creation exercises and demos to stimulate demand for vitamin A maize (VAM) & vitamin A cassava (VAC) crops value chains.
• Provide technical support to extension officers to create a multiplier effect.
• Provide technical support to agro dealers and stem entrepreneurs to provide technical information to farmers at point of sales product at the various commodity markets.
• Coordinate and network with relevant stakeholders/actors operating in the various vitamin A maize (VAM) & vitamin A cassava (VAC) crops value chains.
• Work closely in collaboration with other members of HarvestPlus team.
• Have prior knowledge of private sector development initiatives.
• Prepare and implement operational plans and budgets for effective engagements with the development, private and public sector and ensure proper coordination of activities along the links of the value chains.
• Develop and implement technical, organizational and business advisory services, and support to the creation of enabling environment.
• Develop advisory service models that will deliver appropriate value chain-wide technical support.
• Have sound knowledge of agricultural extension skills and smallholder capacity building and a focus of inclusive business models.
• Design and support the implementation of specific studies and request for proposal, country-specific contributions to monitoring, reporting to monthly, biannual and annual progress reports and evaluation of program activities
• Perform any other job-related task as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Business Administration, or related field with a minimum of five (5) years experience in the food business, marketing and technical function or similar role in a well-structured environment or donor-funded organization.

Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:

• Have good report writing skills, high competency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Have basic presentation skills and good at making networks.
• Have additional training in the areas of value chain approach, entrepreneurship, business development services, policy formulation, advocacy, ICT and experience in implementing nutrition-sensitive value chains will be an advantage.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date
12th March, 2022.