Agri-Business and Value Chain Enhancement Coordinator at Christian Aid (CA)

Christian Aid (CA) is a UK-based international NGO, partnering with others to end poverty in Africa. At the heart of this vision is the transformation of the lives of people who live in poverty, empowering them to have a brighter future. Christian Aid works in more than 30 countries and has been operating in Nigeria since 2003. The Nigeria Country programme focuses on Community Health and HIV, Accountable Governance including humanitarian response and Gender.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Agri-Business and Value Chain Enhancement Coordinator

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Contracted Hours: 35
Contract Length: 12 Months
Department: International
Reports to: Senior Programme Coordinator, Livelihood & Resilience
Competency Level: 2
Salary Band: D

Role Purpose

• Agri-Business and Value Chain Enhancement Coordinator is responsible to coordinate and implement aspects of Livelihoods and Market systems development interventions for Christian Aid Livelihood and Resilience program in Borno and Adamawa states, by specifically supporting the technical and effective implementation of CAID Livelihood response to resilience building in line with donors’ requirements and Christian Aid programme strategy.
• And to establish structured and sustainable markets for the selected smallholder farmers to sell their surplus produce. To also make formation of Marketing Committee among the farmer Producer Groups, Conduct TOT on Marketing Basics SMART Skills to Project Staff, Extension Agent and Field Agents.
• The role holder is required to apply a wide variety of market development tools and approaches and approaches in order improve innovation services, facilitate, and manage linkages between market actors in areas targeted by the project. Supports the development and implementation of all aspects of the programme including performance management, assessments, designing, planning, implementation, monitoring staff capacity building, reporting and technical support to the agricultural recovery and sustainable livelihoods programme.
• To be responsible for supporting and managing Christian Aid partnerships and projects as well as the effective implementation of Livelihoods programme in some locations within Borno and Adamawa States and other states that Christian Aid is implementing livelihood.
• To contribute to the development of Christian Aid Livelihood and Resilience Strategy with a focus on both agriculture and non-agricultural based recovery initiatives for communities affected by conflict. Engage with relevant stakeholders and promote livelihood and resilience strategy with institutional donors.
• To contribute to the representation, brand management of the Christian Aid project portfolio, engage with and promote programme communication and fundraising, with institutional donors.
• Understanding of the sustainable livelihoods framework, understanding of agricultural recovery, resilience framework, humanitarian preparedness and response, value chain analysis, farming as a business and engaging market player, rural finance, facilitating linkages and creating space for various players in the market to interact and enabling markets to work for the poor in fostering agricultural recovery.
• Technical responsibility for designing and implementing all project crop farming (Agronomic) activities in the target communities in Biu LGA and other LGAs, both directly and indirectly through training/mentoring of project community volunteers and Program Officer Agronomy (POA), linking up with BOSADP, other NGOs and private sector actors at the community level.

Key Outcomes

• Strengthen capacity of women on Leadership, Decision making and Negotiation skills for agribusiness
• To develop sustainable linkages between the smallholder farmers and value chain service providers such as agro-input suppliers, extension, and financial services.
• To establish structured and sustainable markets for the selected smallholder farmers to sell their surplus produce
• Formation of Marketing Committee among the farmer Producer Groups
• Conduct TOT on Marketing Basics SMART Skills to Project Staff, Extension Agent and Field Agents
• Stepdown Training on Marketing Basics to Marketing Committee and Producer Members
• Establish 500 market committees linked to off-takers and collaborating on market access and value chain mapping
• To improve the capacity of the smallholder farmers and farmer organizations to take advantage of the established markets, including aggregation capacity, commodity quality improvements
• Make way for farmers to have an account opened and access to credit sources
• WFP Funded Livelihood and Resilience projects are successfully managed following both WFP and Christian Aid’s humanitarian policies and procedures.
• Christian Aid is represented at all levels, national and internationally.
• Oversee the timely field implementation of Livelihood and Resilience project according to proposals and ensure compliance with all donor requirements.
• Support the team in all locations of the project and other locations strengthen and promote community engagement processes in the project areas, particularly identifying project beneficiaries, assessing their needs, addressing and resolving community issues.
• Compliance with financial policies and procedures especially regarding WFP coordination requirements and other donor projects, but including reporting requirements and contribution made to other team members in the development and implementation, staff capacity building and training.
• Significant grant proposals focusing on broad sustainable livelihoods, agricultural recovery, resilience work, private sector partnerships and market systems development based on strong planning and evaluation procedures using Christian Aid’s internal systems.
• Communicate and coordinate with project staff on technical questions related to livelihoods, resilience building and agricultural recovery, work planning, programme implementation and provide technical support to developing policies, strategies and plans related to food security and livelihoods, resilience building and agricultural recovery.
• Participate in the recruitment, management and development of high performing team who are meeting their objectives and ensure a safe working environment for all people involved in project implementation and maintain the highest standards of behaviour when engaging with stakeholders and working with project beneficiaries.
• Assess Livelihood, agriculture and Forestry needs based on a variety of sources, including assessments, technical data, early warning information, and reports from NGOs, the UN and other actors
• As a Livelihood and Resilience expert, coordinate the general humanitarian response with all stakeholders including humanitarian actors, Missions, Embassies, host governments, NGOs, and donors;
• This includes representing Christian Aid in the Food sector cluster and working group meetings and donor meetings. This also includes engagement with networks in order to increase the profile and visibility of Christian Aid.
• Effective projects and programmes delivered with impact in line with agreed aims.
• Project proposals completed, based on strong planning and evaluation procedures using Christian Aid’s internal systems. Funds used for designated purposes.
• Manage the community project plans and make recommendations for approval of community project activities in relation to Agronomy and Forestry
• Identify and facilitate training of beneficiaries on all aspects of Agronomy and Forestry as required
• Facilitate Agronomy and Forestry related surveys in communities.
• Prepare action plans and provide direct support to beneficiaries and project assistants through visits, in line with the action plans and as required.
• Ensure all documentation, reports, and records from the community on agronomy and Forestry are maintained per agreed procedure, and information is provided on these community activities as required.
• Support beneficiaries and community groups to conduct assessments/project activities for all especially women in the communities.
• Work on relevant agronomic value chain actors and their service providers (Private BDS providers).

Essential Criteria

• A Degree in a discipline related to Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Development Economics, Agriculture, Food Security and Disaster Risk Management or relevant discipline with at least 5 years of experience. A postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
• Alternatively, Graduate qualification in any of Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Development Economics, Agriculture, Food Security and / Sociology with at least 6 years experience in the Livelihood Sector.
• This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to work hard and achieve results in a demanding, fast-paced and often insecure environment.
• At least 5 years of experience in Livelihoods, Market-driven approaches, cash for work programming, post-conflict agricultural recovery with an understanding of agricultural extension and communication, entrepreneurship, agricultural nutrition intervention and vocational training.
• Minimum one-year aid-related International NGO experience in North-East Nigeria.
• Project management skills.
• Good knowledge of and experience working with IDPs in Nigeria.
• Good understanding of gender-sensitive programming.
• Good interpersonal, organizational and communication skills.
• Have strong problem-solving abilities and capacity to solve complex issues related to project delivery.
• Knowledge of capacity building tools; Sphere and Red Cross Code of Conduct; of HAP standards.
• Detail orientation and ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of the local language like Bura/Higgi and Hausa an added advantage.

Desirable:

• Specialized qualification/Experience in Livelihoods and Resilience programmes in emergency and/or rural development work.
• Ability to speak and understand basic Hausa
• Understanding of the political, social and economic context of the region and the humanitarian/development issues and challenges it faces of peace building and conflict resolution.
• Upholding the Humanitarian Principles and affirmatively engage the most vulnerable community members while valuing inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, agility, collaboration, innovation and sustainability.

Application Closing Date
20th April, 2022.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here for more information

Note

• This role requires applicants to have the right to work in the country where this position is based.
• We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in its workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, religion or belief.
• Christian Aid is committed to providing a safe and trusted environment for every person connected to the work we do; and to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour including sexual harassment and exploitation, abuse, and financial misconduct. Any candidate offered a job with Christian Aid is expected to share and demonstrate our values and adhere to Christian Aid’s Safeguarding policy and sign Christian Aid’s Code of Conduct.
• You can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, including flexibility that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.