Farmer Engagement, Cooperative, and Group Strengthening Specialist at Ikore International Development Limited

Ikore International Development Limited is an international development organization proffering innovative solutions to drive sustainable social and enterprise development. Working in economically deprived places and vulnerable communities torn apart by instability across Nigeria and providing solutions that support inefficient markets and communities is implementing an agricultural mechanization service intervention aimed at enhancing access of smallholder farmers to affordable and sustainable mechanization services in Nigeria.

The project aims to create work opportunities for mechanization service providers, tractor operators, and others in the mechanization value chain. The project’s primary target is young men and women in peri-urban and rural communities, providing bundled mechanization services.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Farmer Engagement, Cooperative, and Group Strengthening Specialist

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Contract

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• The Project Manager, Farmer Engagement, Cooperatives, and Group Strengthening, will oversee farmer mobilization and outreach.
• He will organize, promote, and manage farmer outreach events and support the final selection of farmers cooperatives.
• He will create alliances and partnerships with local agri-focused organizations with significant extension networks to help with farmer mobilization and buy-in during the implementation phase.

Responsibilities

• Engage with local communities, including farmers, community leaders, and relevant organizations, to ensure their active participation and ownership of the project.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with other relevant internal and external project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders such as extension service providers to leverage their resources, networks, and expertise for farmer mobilization and engagement.
• Develop, promote, implement, and manage robust farmer engagement strategies to foster buy-in and active participation in project activities.
• Oversee farmer mobilization and outreach efforts throughout the project implementation.
• Facilitate the creation and strengthening of farmer groups and cooperatives in line with the project’s objectives.
• Develop and implement, in collaboration with relevant personnel, monitoring, evaluation, and feedback frameworks to assess the effectiveness of engagement campaigns and cooperative strengthening activities.
• Collaborate with other project managers to ensure seamless integration of farmer engagement efforts with all necessary project components.
• Providing regular progress updates and reports to senior management and project partners on project activities and achievements.

Qualifications

• A Degree in Agricultural Science, Rural Development, International Development, Agribusiness, or a related discipline. A Master's Ddegree in a relevant field is an advantage.
• At least four years of proven experience in agriculture and rural development projects, with a focus on farmer engagement, cooperative development, and community mobilization.
• Project management skills, including planning, coordination, and monitoring of farmer engagement activities.
• Strong networking and negotiation skills to build collaborations, maintain partnerships, and leverage resources.
• Strong understanding of farmer group dynamics, participatory approaches, and methodologies for engaging farmers in decision-making processes
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with farmers, community members, and project staff.
• Knowledge of the local language and prior experience working in the target states would be an advantage.
• Prior experience working with smallholder farmers and organizing training activities is required.
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities of working with smallholder farmers and agricultural cooperatives.

Application Closing Date
29th February, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and cover letter as one document (PDF or Word) with complete contact details to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Note: Applications will be reviewed, and online interviews will be conducted with shortlisted candidates before finalists are invited for on-site interviews.