Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS has worked in Nigeria for more than 25 years. Through local partners, CRS has implemented programs in 24 of the country’s 36 states, demonstrating the agency’s extensive grassroots network and significant capacity to reach the rural poor. Focusing on agriculture, emergency response and recovery, and health, CRS is helping to strengthen health care systems, Catholic Church partners, other community-based organizations, and government institutions. CRS’s current projects are improving the lives of more than 1.4 million Nigerians
Scope of Work
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 regularly update their basic farm and network records.
- Provide linkage services for cassava processor towards and stem buyers
- Demand creation activities for the sale of stems and roots
- Create market outlets for cassava stems and roots
- Assisting CSEs to build customer databases and use same to increase sales
Expected Monthly Deliverables:
- Monthly activity report indicating work done in respect of the scope of work itemized above including:
- Number of CSEs engaged 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
- 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