Consultant (Extension Service Provider) at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant (Extension Service Provider)

Location: Kogi
Employment Type: Contract

Scope of Work for Private Extension Service Provider

• Providing necessary briefing and mobilization of Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) in Benue/Kogi State as assigned
• Provide required training for the Seed Entrepreneurs Network (SEN) in the State. The SEN is a group of 15 – 25 CSEs living in close communities.
• Facilitate the development of at least one new SEN in a new cassava growing area in the State of assignment,
• Responsible for growing of existing networks of CSEs, the SENs, and formation of new SENs in the State of assignment,
• Avaialble for training and also be responsible for providing required capacity strengthening of the networks in the State of assignment,
• Support the marketing of the CSEs’ stems within and outside the State of assignment, and
• Support the CSEs and SENs in regualr updates of basic farm and network reecords.
• Production of montly reports and analysis
• Recruitment and training of CSEs

Expected Monthly Deliverables

• Monthly activity report indicating work done in respect of the scope of work itemised above including:
  • Number of new CSEs engaged
  • Number of new SENs formed
  • Number of training held for SENs
  • Number of new markets/clients successfully delivered for the SEN
  • Number of CSEs recorded checked/reviwed
  • Number of hectares of fields establihed
  • Number of bundles of stems produced and sold
  • Number roots produced and sold
• Quarterly activity report summarising activities performed in respect of 1a-e above.

Scope of Work for Marketing Agent for Seed
Entrepreneur Networks:

• Assist Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs) in Benue/Kogi State to connect with quality input suppliers,
• Work with the Seed Entrepreneurs Network (SEN) in the State to help CSEs in identifying profitable output markets for Certified Stems,
• Undertake demand mapping and marketing activities to create additional demand for certified cassava stems utilizing National SeedTracker and similar tools that would be assigned.
• Facilitate the aggregation of CSEs production of Certified Stems to fill orders from clients,
• Coordinate with actors (including IITA GoSeed, Umudike Seeds, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, National Agricultural Seeds Council) to ensure timely delivery of inputs and services for the CSEs and SENs.
• Work with the CSEs and SENs to regualrly update their basic farm and network reecords.
• Provide linkage services for with cassava processor torwards and stem buyers
• Demand creation activities for sale of stems and roots
• Create market outlets for cassava stems and roots
• Assisting CSEs to build customer database and use same to increase sales

Expected Monthly Deliverables

• Monthly activity report indicating work done in respect of the scope of work itemised above including:
  • Number of CSEs enegaed with
  • Number of CSE records updated
  • Number of new clients successfully delivered for the SEN
  • Number of bundles contracted/sold
  • Number of meetings/ training or engagements held for the SENs
  • Number of bundles of stems sold
• Quarterly activity report summarising activities performed in respect of 1a-e above.

Selection Criteria / Conditions for Consultants

• Should have a Degree or HND in Agriculture, Agricultural Education
• Familiar with local and improved cassava varieties in Benue and Kogi states
• Familiar with local farmer groups and their operational dynamics
• Good knowledge of Kogi rural communities
• Basic adult learning skills and ability to facilitate training for semi-literate farmers
• Agricultural Commodities marketing skills

Application Closing Date
18th February, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Cover Letters as one document to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail. "ie NG14056: Consultant Extension Worker or NG14056: Consultant Marketing Agent".