The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) is the government agency responsible for formulating and implementing policies to ensure food security and agricultural sustainability in Nigeria. Formerly known as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), it was renamed to reflect its heightened focus on combating hunger and stabilizing food supply chains.
We invite applications from suitably qualified candidates for the position below for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Program:
Job Title: Technical Assistant to the National Rural Institutions Development Officer (NRIDO) to Support the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Program
Locations: Kano and Ogun
Background
- The Federal Government of Nigeria has received a Facility from the African Development Bank (ADB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to finance the cost of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Program (SAPZ), and intends to apply part of the proceeds under IFAD towards engagement of prospective candidates to support the National Coordination Office, State Programme Implementation Units in Kano and Ogun States.
- The use of any IFAD financing shall be subject to IFAD's approval, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the financing agreement, as well as IFAD's rules, policies and procedures. IFAD and its officials, agents and employees shall be held harmless from and against all suits, proceedings, claims, demands, losses and liability of any kind or nature brought by any party in connection with Special Agro - Processing Zones Program.
Scope of Service and Responsibilities
Strategic and Technical Support:
- Assist in the development and updating of strategies, guidelines, operational manuals and toolkits for rural institutions development, including group formation, legal registration, governance structures, and sustainability frameworks.
- Support the design and implementation of capacity-building programmes for FOs, cooperatives, MSMEs and MAFs, Incorporating modules on business planning, financial management, climate resilience, gender mainstreaming, nutrition, and value addition (using tools such as GALS- Gender Action Learning System-where applicable).
- Facilitate the integration of rural institutions with ATCs, AIHs, and private sector actors for reliable feedstock supply, aggregation, and market linkages.
Coordination and Implementation:
- Coordinate with PSIUs, ADPs' Rural Institution Development Departments, extension services, and service providers for the identification, mobilization, training, and strengthening of at least 3,000+ FOs across participating states.
- Organize and facilitate stakeholder workshops, training-of-trainers sessions, and field missions to promote inclusive participation (targeting ≥40% women-led or women-only groups and youth inclusion.
- Liaise with financial institutions, NIRSAL, and other partners to enhance access to finance and de-risking mechanisms for rural institutions.
Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:
- Assist in mapping, profiling, and registering eligible rural institutions (cooperatives, farmer groups, etc.) for participation in the SAPZ value chains.
- Support the facilitation of inclusive dialogue platforms to negotiate contract farming agreements, out-grower schemes, and benefit-sharing mechanisms between smallholder groups and private sector anchor firms.
- Serve as a secretariat for the Rural Institutions Working Group, preparing minutes, tracking action points, and disseminating information.
Financial Inclusion and Linkages:
- Support Initiatives to strengthen linkages between rural institutions and:
- Financial Institutions (banks, microfinance institutions, FSAs)
- Input suppliers and service providers
- Off-takers and processors within SAPZ
- Assist in promoting access to credit, savings, and insurance products.
- Support implementation of financial literacy programmes.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
- Support the NRIDO in tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to rural institutions, such as number of farmers organized, volume of produce aggregated, percentage of women/youth-led enterprises, number of functional FOs, governance scores, member income increases, O&M fund contributions.
- Contribute to Programme Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs), quarterly progress reports, and other porting requirements for AfDB, IFAD, IsDB, and FGN.
- Conduct regular field monitoring visits (in coordination with M&E Unit) and prepare analytical reports on challenges, lessons learned, and best practices.
- Assist in the documentation of success stories, knowledge products, and policy briefs on rural institutions development.
- Prepare high-quality technical reports, quarterly progress reports, and briefs for the NRIDO, NPCU Coordinator, and financing partners.
- Maintain a robust database (MIS) of all rural Institutions engaged under the programme, including their governance structures, financial health, and production capacity.
Qualifications and Experience
- Master's Degree or equivalent in Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Development Studies, Sociology / Anthropology, or a related Social Science discipline.
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive relevant professional experience in rural development projects, with at least 4 years focused on farmer organization /cooperative strengthening, group mobilization, institutional capacity building, or agribusiness development in Nigeria or similar African contexts.
- Proven track record in designing and implementing capacity-building programmes for small holder groups, including experience with value chain development, market linkages, and financial inclusion (e.g., FSA or VSLA models).
- Familiarity with donor-funded agricultural projects (AFDB, IFAD, World Bank, etc.), Including safeguards, gender mainstreaming, and M&E frameworks.
- Experience working with government institutions (FMAFS, ADPs, State Ministries) and multi-stakeholder platforms is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated field experience in at least 3 geo-political zones of Nigeria.
Application Closing Date
17th July, 2026 by 12:00 noon (Local Time).
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates should submit the following:
- Resumes, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills, a written technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) and a financial proposal.
- The estimated duration of the assignment is twelve (12) months with the possibility of extension based on program needs, satisfactory performance and conduct.
- Eligibility criteria, establishment of the shortlist and selection procedure shall be in accordance with the individual consultant selection (ICS) method set out in IFAD' Project Procurement Handbook that can be accessed via the IFAD website at www.ifad.org/project-procurement
- The proposals to be submitted by the consultants will be evaluated on the basis of the following technical criteria:
- Appropriate skills and qualifications (academic record and general work experience) - 20 points
- Quality of the proposed methodology and workplan (2 paged) - 20 points
- Technical Competency and Experience in undertaking similar assignment- 25 points
- Similar Experience working with any donor funded project (AfDB and World Bank, IFAD, etc) - 25 points
- Communication skills in English - 10 points
- Making a total of 100 points.
Expression of Interest must be delivered to the address below in person. Clearly indicate on your envelop the category you are applying for and marked "Engagement of a Technical Assistant ..............to Support the SAPZ Program at the .........."
Dr. Kabir Yusuf,
National Program Coordinator, SAPZ,
National Program Co-ordination Office (NPCO),
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,
No. 3, Aguleri Street, Off Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja.
Contact: admin@sapz.gov.ng , +2348168088308, +2348035949354
Note
- Only candidates scoring a mark of 75 points or more will be considered for the respective assignment.
- The consultant scoring the highest in each of the categories will be selected provided that the financial offer is within the limits of the available budget.
- Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
- Candidates may obtain further information at the address above during office hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local time Mondays to Fridays)
- Only shortlisted candidate will be contacted.
https://www.hotnigerianjobs.com/hotjobs/920540/technical-assistant-to-the-national-rural-institut.html