Assistant Rural Infrastructure Engineer (ARIE) at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in partnership with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) of the United Nations is desirous of using part of the Credit to engage the services of individuals for the FGN / IFAD-VCDP (VCDP AF1) for the management and implementation of the programme in the nine (9) participating states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nassrawa, Taraba, Niger and Ogun.

Consequently, Expression of Interest (EOI) is hereby solicited from suitably qualified and interested candidates to participate in the FGN / IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (YCDP AF1) within the capacity below:

Job Title: Assistant Rural Infrastructure Engineer (ARIE)

Location: Abuja
Report: Directly to the Project Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE).

Background
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) is implementing a three- year IFAD-assisted Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing (VCDP AFi), as a follow-up to the successful six (6) - year Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), in nine (9) participating states (Anambra, Benue, Ebonyl, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger and Ogun). The Programme’s goal is: “Rural Poverty reduced, food security increased and accelerated economic growth achieved.” The VCDP, which was approved for an IFAD loan of USD744 million in 2012, aimed to directly improve the livelihood of approximately 17,480 households (15,000 small holder farmers, i,68o processors and 800 traders) and to benefit indirectly approximately 22,000 households.

In 2018, IFAI) approved an Additional Financing (AF1) of IJSD 89.1 million to: (i) expand VCDP activities to three (3) new states - Enugu, Kogi and Nasarawa - and to a total of 57 meal Government Areas (LOAs) from 30 LGAs at the Mid-term Review (MTR) of VCDP, in the entire nine states; and (ii) support the mainstreaming of issues that were not considered at the design of VCDP, consistent with national and IFAI) policies; climate-smart agricultural practices; conflict mitigation as the conflict increases between farmers and herdsmen for land resources; nutrition and financial inclusion.

The VCDP -AF1 focuses on enhancing the productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers (who cultivate not more than 5ha of land under rice/cassava) and small/medium-scale agro-processors (with processing capacity of an average of 2MT/day for cassava and 4MT/day for rice) by improving their access to markets, and capacity to increase yield as well as add value to locally produced raw materials through improved processing and packaging. The programme is being implemented through three mutually reinforcing components; Agricultural Market Development, Small holder Productivity Enhancement and Programme Management and Coordination.

Details of the Contract

• Two-year contract, renewable based on satisfactory performance acceptable to FGN and IFAD.

Details

• The Assistant Rural Infrasthicture Engineer (ARIE) will work under the direct supervision of the Project Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RuE).

Main Responsibility

• The Assistant Rural Infrastructure Engineer (ARIE) will be assisting the Project Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE) in all aspects of rural infrastructure development activities related to smallholder farmers.

Specific Duties

• Liaise with State / LGAs Engineering staff (and other development partners) and include them throughout all rural infrastructure development activities to ensure sustainability, ownership and synergr among stakeholders.
• Mobilise relevant beneficiaries around each rural infrastructure development activity for sustainability and increased ownership.
• Support in executing engineering/architectural surveys/designs,
• specifications (technical and socio environmental) and cost estimates for rural infrastructure (roads, storage/market/agro promssing facilities, land development activities, small irrigation activities).
• Contribute to the preparation of manuals/guidelines and the execution of capacity building activities in the area of operation and maintenance for sustainability of all rural infrastructure to be developed by the project.
• Monitor contractor’s construction program and method on the field, verifying that they are consistent with the implementation modalities (timeline and technical specifications).
• Monitor consultant’s service provision program and method on the ground, verifying that they are consistent with the implementation modalities (timeline and technical specifications).
• Assist in the process of measurements/calculation for further payment and/or variation.
• Liaise with Project and/or States/LGA5 Environmental Experts to ensure all related aspects are considered for sustained and environment friendly rural infrastructure are delivered.
• Carryoutanyotherfunctionsassignedhim/herbythe Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE).

Qualification and Work Experience

• First Degree in Civil Engineering, Rural Infrastructure or related area.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in construction and management of rural / market Infrastructure.
• He/She should be registered with relevant professional bodies such as COREN, NSE
• Experienced working with Donor Assisted Projects.
• Good knowledge/experience of rural development challenges and dynamics
• Note: Qualified and experienced women are encouraged to apply.

Application Closing Date
12Noon; 4th May, 2021.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Expression of Interest (EOI) in 10 copies including one original and nine photocopies, properly sealed and clearly marked at the top right hand cover "Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Recruitment of Officers under FGN / IFAD-VCDP Project." Each envelope should indude a CV and an application letter with cover letter suited for the position being applied for. The sealed envelope should be addressed and delivered to:
The Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,
C / O Director, Projects Coordinating Unit (PCU),
No.1, Eldoret Close, Off Aininu Kano Crescent,
Wuse II - Abuja.