Technical Specialist (Finance and Investment) at UNDP- Abuja

The Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA), unveiled by the Honourable Minister for Agriculture presented opportunities for the provision of technical assistance and other support to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) for the scale up of positive inclusive markets experience in Nigeria. The ATA is aimed at establishing a sustainable agriculture and agribusiness in Nigeria to raise the income of rural farmers. UNDP through its project, Facility for Inclusive Markets (FIM) has offered to support the Government of Nigeria (GoN) in key demand areas that include developing and implementing key value chains in agriculture and agro-industry and enhancing inclusiveness. FIM will also work towards its goal of catalysing the scale up of positive Inclusive Market experience in Nigeria and as a platform for capturing knowledge in and out of Nigeria.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) is providing, through UNDP, long term technical assistance to the Agricultural Transformation Implementation Group (ATIG) as the organ established by the FMARD to implement the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. 
The government is treating agriculture as a business to help diversify the economy away from oil, create jobs, secure food supply and expand foreign exchange earnings through a market-led agricultural transformation that will impact on the lives of millions of smallholder farmers. This requires sharp focus on development and expansion of agri-businesses.
UNDP Nigeria is recruiting to fill the position of 

Job Title: Technical Specialist (Finance and Investment)
Location : Abuja, NIGERIA
Application Deadline : 10-Sep-12
Type of Contract : FTA International
Post Level : P-4
Languages Required :English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 23-Aug-2012
Duration of Initial Contract : Initial period of one year

Duties and Responsibilities
The Technical Specialist on finance and investments will report directly to the Deputy Country Director Programme and will have the following responsibilities:

• Develop a Public-Private Partnership framework for developing agri-business investments and for attracting finance to promote the agricultural value chains with priority at the state levels, including appropriate modalities for concessions with the private sector.
• Work in collaboration with the Agribusiness Advisor to develop a comprehensive database of all existing agri-businesses in Nigeria, their locations, production levels, capital base and their work with farmers.
• Work with financial institutions to attract private sector investments to unlock the potentials of Nigeria’s agriculture
• Develop an agricultural investment code that will support and attract private investors into agriculture in Nigeria, working closely with the Ministry of Trade and Investment and Ministry of Finance, respectively, as well as the Nigerian Investment Promotion Authority and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
• Develop legal, regulatory and investment frameworks to promote private sector investments at the state levels, working closely with the state governments.
• Organize agricultural investment forums for the states to attract private sector investments to promote agricultural businesses and market development to support accelerated agribusiness development that helps diversify incomes, create jobs and diversify the economies of the state governments.
• Develop and implement a clear strategy for attracting agri-business investments into the staple crop processing zones and ensure that adequate level of private investments are in place to drive the establishment of food processing facilities across the staple crop processing zones for relevant value chains.
• Work closely with the Regional Directors on all agri-business and investment opportunities to support accelerated investments by the private sector in agricultural value chains.

Competencies
1.) Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

2.) Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning.
• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

3.) Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects.
• Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration.
• Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

4.) Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, or Master’s /PHD in or Agriculture or other relevant subject
• 7 years in a senior management position in agricultural or related sector in Nigeria with a government, international or private sector agency
• Remarkable track record in developing and executing strategies plans and initiatives on agriculture development/transformation ( or related sectors)
• Demonstrated track record in building, leading and managing high-performing organizations and teams.
• Exceptional experience in communicating consistently, clearly and effectively with a broad range of stakeholders
• Deep knowledge of Nigeria and the ability to navigate the Nigerian system to achieve results.
•  Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in one national language is desired.

Application Closing Date
10th September, 2012

How To Apply
Intereseted and Qualified Applicants Should
Click Here To Apply