Business Development Officers at Oxfam Nigeria

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 independent aid and development organisations networked together to fight poverty and injustice around the world. Working with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries, the mission of Oxfam is a just world without poverty. With a conviction that people are well capable of building a life devoid of poverty on their own once given the chance to do so, Oxfam works with partners on projects in developing countries, lobbies companies and governments to take into account the interests of the poorest people and campaigns to ensure men and women are involved in decisions on issues that affect their lives. In Nigeria, Oxfam’s focus areas are Economic Justice/Livelihoods, Humanitarian Programming, Gender Justice / Female Leadership and Good Governance, adopting a rights-based approach. The overarching goal is to enable people exercise their rights and manage their own lives.

Oxfam in Nigeria with funding support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is implementing a five year Livelihoods and Nutrition Empowerment (LINE) project in Bauchi State. The project is aimed at improving the livelihoods for 10.000 poor and vulnerable households through increased farm productivity, enhanced market access, better nutrition and a more enabling environment for business development in 6 LGAs in Bauchi state.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position for the LINE Project:

Job Title: Business Development Officer

Location: Bauchi

Main Tasks

• Manage and coordinate the Business Incubation Centres (BICs) at the LGA level. These are state-of-the-art skills development centers that provide employability and entrepreneurial skills training to youth.
• Organize and train youths in agro-processing skills in collaboration with SMEDAN and possibly IITA, identify and develop business opportunities targeted at youth.
• Support young entrepreneurs in the development of business plans and assist to monitor implementation.
• Pro-actively hunt for target agro-allied companies and establish communications with those businesses that can benefit from the activities of the LINE project
• Generate and share market information using innovative ICT models
• Undertake intermediation and linkage between farmer groups and agro-allied industries
• Identify / mobilize youth target beneficiaries and support them to engage in agro-processing activities to add value to agric commodities thereby increasing their market value.
• Actively and successfully manage and support farmer groups in commodity bulking and bulk input procurement
• Create and be accountable for all client proposals, contracts and any further documentation, following procedure
• Further develop multi-tier relationships to support and assist farmer and youth groups to organically grow their business
• Build referral and lead generation network. Locate or propose potential business deals by contacting potential partners; discovering and exploring opportunities.
• Follow up all leads generated from website, networking sessions, trade fairs and other events/ contacts
• Screens potential business deals by analyzing market strategies, deal requirements, potential, and financials; evaluating options; resolving internal priorities.
• Develop negotiating strategies and positions by studying integration of new ventures with BDS centre activities and mandate of the LINE projects.
• Mentor and coach youth project participants in the development and implementation of strategies for new products and services
• Determine new opportunities by analysing business needs / opportunities
• Manage farmer and youth groups relationships together with the various agro-allied industries in an effective manner.
• Undertakes relevant networking activities such as to promote and enhance better implementation of the LINE project mandate
• Influence diverse allocated internal/external target audiences in the six LGAs, particularly at the community levels.
• Supporting all the Project advisors - Market based Agricultural Livelihoods, Nutrition Services, Private sector and Rural Financial Services and other staff to coordinate, network and disseminate relevant information at the LGA level.
• Manage the LGA Business Incubation Centre and liaise with relevant MDAs and agencies in the implementation of business models that promote value addition to agricultural outputs and gainful employment for youth
• Respond to requests for information in a timely manner

Education and Relevant Experience

• Possession of a Bachelor Degree in Economics, Actuarial Science, or Banking & Finance, Social Sciences or related field
• Have at least three years relevant experience working in Northern Nigeria in Business Incubation and Youth Employment related projects.
• Proven track record in managing business development services, including development of a variety of small scale business models
• Comprehensive knowledge of government plans, policies and institutions related to Enterprise Development and Youth Employment
• Demonstrable ability to engage, motivate and inspire youth to realize planned objectives
• Ability to analyse complex information and communicate at a simpler level to youth beneficiaries of the LINE project.
• Must possess an enthusiastic and self confident demeanor to motivate young people
• Ability to properly apply and adapt knowledge, size up problems and see the ‘Big Picture'
• Ability to prioritize, manage time and work under stress.
• Good writing and reporting skills.
• Excellent computer skills, knowledge in the usage of software packages and ICT tools.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Hausa language

Application Closing Date
2nd June, 2016

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's and Motivational Letter in English to: [email protected]

Note: Applications sent to the enquiry e-mail will be disqualified