Financial Inclusion Specialist at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in Collaboration with International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is implementing a Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta States (LIFE-ND).

To facilitate implementation of the project, the partners want qualified and competent personnel to fill the underlisted position:

Job Title: Financial Inclusion Specialist

Location: Abuja
Job Type: Contract (1 year)
Reporting and Location: VCDP National Office, Abuja

Summary

• The FGN/IFAD VCDP is desirous of engaging the services of Technical specialist and staff to facilitate VCDP and other IFAD Assisted programs implementation at the VCDP National Office.

Main Responsibilities

• The Climate and Environment Specialist will be domiciled in the VCDP national office Abuja and will provide technical support to all lEAD-assisted projects in Nigeria.
• He/She will be responsible fbr advice on the overall management of activities related to mainstreaming climate change adaptation measures and sustainable environmental practices into the production, processing and marketing of commodities across value chain clusters.
• He/she will:
  • Develop crop agro-ecological suitability map;
  • Carry out assessment and identification of negative impacts and opportunities for green growth in commodities clusters and value chains;
  • Ensure that recommended mitigation and adaptation measures are adhered to and implement opportunities for green growth along the value chains and ensure overall environmental sustainability of the projects;
  • Work closely with all relevant climate data generating agencies and the extension agencies to make sure climate information is produced and delivered to farmers promptly to guide scheduling of on-farm activities; and
  • Develop training modules and manuals for capacity building purposes for institutions, communities and farmer groups on climate change and environment;
  • Ensure climate change mainstreaming in all projects’ activities.

Specific Duties

• Revise and update the draft project implementation manual (PIM) to include climate change adaptation and environmental management
• Develop a framework for measuring resilience among the target beneficiaries including indicators to be monitored within the project’s M&E system for climate change.
• Ensure the inclusion of climate resilience and environmental data collection in the baseline studies to be undertaken at the start of the project.
• Prepare Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and Basic Climate Risk Analysis at commodity pluster level.
• Develop crop agro-ecological suitability maps.
• Plan and create awareness for Agri-enterpreneurs on environment and climate-smart practices in all aspects of the enterprise and value chain opportunities in environmental mitigation practices.
• Assist farmers to undertake no-regret measures including agricultural insurance.
• Ensure adherence to environmental standards and rules and ensure that all agricultural production and value chain activities are environmentally sustainable.
• Collaborate with States’ environmental agencies to carry out environmental assessment and monitoring.
• Facilitate training of intended entrepreneurs on waste valorisation and integrated pest and agrochemicals management.
• Develop a manual for environmental training on sustainable agricultural enterprise based on state peculiarities and track progress of implementation.
• Document baseline information for all the specific project locations/clusters using GPS, Remote Sensing and field surveys using GIS to monitor the project locations/clusters during the project life cycle.
• Facilitate engagement of service providers and technical assistance required for the implementation of the climate adaptation and environmental management related activities, including the development of specific terms of reference, preparation of detailed work plans.
• Supervise, monitor and certify the work of service providers for the various activities and assignments under climate change adaptation

Qualification and experience required

• Minimum of Master degree in Agriculture, Natural Resource Management (NRM) or Rural Development or related fields. Possession of Higher Degree in relevant fields will be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of experience in the field of Climate Change Adaptation, Environment and or agro-climatology will be required.
• Experience working with donor funded agencies will be an added advantage
• Membership of relevant professional body will be an added advantage
• Good knowledge and experience in Geographic Information System (GIS) and environmental database development and remote sensing.
• Thorough knowledge of climate change adaptation and environmental safeguards and familiarity with all the governmental and nongovernmental actors and stakeholders involved in the policy dialogue on climate change adaptation and environment at the national level and regional levels.
• Good knowledge of communication tools and technologies (internet, Microsoft Office packages etc) and reporting skills.
• Fluency in oral and written English is essential.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Ability to undertake extensive travels within project areas.

Application Closing Date
16th April, 2019.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Applications with detailed CV of not more than 5 pages to the following addresses: infor@vcdpnigeria.org , vcdpnpmu@gmail.com , lifend2019@gmail.com

Note: This contracted appointment is for a period of one (1) year in the first instance, renewable subject to satisfactory performance acceptable to FGN/IFAD.