An International Public Non-Profit Organization Latest Jobs in Nigeria: Recruitment for Cluster Advisor (Abuja)

THE ORGANIZATION:

IFDC (www.ifdc.org ) is an International Public Non-Profit Organization striving to improve the livelihood of people in developing countries throughout the world. IFDC seeks qualified candidates to fill the following position for the new 2SCALE Project. The Dutch-funded project entitled “Toward Sustainable Clusters in Agribusiness through Learning in

Entrepreneurship” (2SCALE) aims at improving rural livelihoods and food security in Africa, in support to the six percent agricultural growth target set under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU-NEPAD). 2SCALE will develop a portfolio of 700 agribusiness clusters in 15 target countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including 7 West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria_: and Togo). These clusters are defined as a collaboration between all actors needed to build profitable commodity-based value chains (producers and their organizations, input suppliers, finance suppliers, processors, warehouses managers, traders, business development services, etc.). The agribusiness cluster approach is designed to help rural smallholders move from subsistence farming to farming as a business and supply food for local, national, regional, and international and local markets. The project will partner with national and multinational agro-companies to improve efficiency and sustainability of supported agribusiness clusters. IFDC is seeking to contract full-time Cluster Advisor. Details for the position are given below.

POST TITLE:   Cluster Advisor

JOB LOCATION:   Abuja

LEVEL:   National

JOB DESCRIPTION & ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The Cluster Advisor is responsible for the coordination and implementation of 2SCALE activities in the country where he/she is posted,
• He/She will be on the front line in leading the identification of profitable agricultural market opportunities and facilitating the development of sustainable agribusiness clusters.

TASKS:

• Identify agribusiness opportunities and champions through networking, communication and market analyses. Contribute significantly to the selection of business ideas, within the country of assignment,
• Facilitate strategy development and decision-making related to the project (e.g., selection of target products, markets, regions; decision to stop support to clusters),
• Set up a National Advisory Committee and ensure its collaboration with the project in an efficient and smooth way, so that it adds value to project implementation,
• Support cluster stakeholders to develop multi-annual agribusiness plans that include an exit strategy, and update them yearly,
• In close collaboration with other project staff in the Division, implement activities as formulated in the workplan, including but not limited to,
• Assistance to entrepreneurs in developing bankable business plans and in submitting them to financial institutions,
• Facilitation of up- or downstream linkages between agribusiness clusters and national, regional and multinational agro-companies,
• Facilitation of a pro-active networking among agribusiness cluster actors and other stakeholders,
• Analysis of markets, cluster performance, and recommendations to improve this performance,
• Training of targeted Business Support Service providers on relevant issues related to agribusiness cluster formation and commodity chain development,
• Preparation and monitoring of contract agreements with sub­contractors and partner institutions,
• Identification, promotion and dissemination of innovative technologies, practices and business models at all levels of the value chains,
• Facilitation of learning among cluster stakeholders, implementation of learning plot activities (e.g., soil fertility management practices), and contribution to the development of learning networks,
• Ensure gender and environmental considerations are included in all project activities,
• Write and submit quality progress and other technical reports or notes with a strict respect of deadlines,
• Document lessons learned, share them in reports and integrate them into subsequent project activities,
• Supervise the cluster assistant(s) in the country of post,
• Collaborate with the Communications Specialist, management team and other colleagues as needed to develop outreach materials,
• Develop synergies with other IFDC projects/initiatives and with other programs in the country,
• Develop and ensure good working relationships with key regional and national partner organizations, including local authorities,
• Represent the project at relevant national events,
• Any other assignments that the project management deems necessary for the success of the project.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in an agricultural, economics or business field, with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience (or Bachelor’s degree with at least 8 years of experience),
• An experience in a private agro-company or a private-sector association would be an important advantage,
• Entrepreneurial and business-minded,
• Up-to-date knowledge of the national agricultural business environment, of key barriers to value chain development and of innovative technologies, practices and business models,
• Knowledge of the Competitive Agricultural Systems and Enterprises (CASE) approach is a plus,
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a participatory way with stakeholders of diverse interests and at all levels (from farmers to high officials), from both public and private sectors,
• Strong skills in organizing and facilitating training programs or workshops,
• Team player, able to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment,
• Ability to write quality reports in French or English and respect deadlines,
• Fluent in French or English, and proficient in the other language. Proficiency in local African languages is a plus,
• Willingness to travel extensively (up to 50% of the time) and in difficult conditions in the country of assignment and in the region.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

Please read these carefully. 

Failure to comply will adversely affect your application.

Interested applicants are kindly requested to send their application in the form of one page letter and current CV describing their experience, qualifications and three references by email to reach the National Administration and Finance Officer aogunyemi@ifdc.org in Nigeria with copy to the Regional Personnel Officer lbello@ifdc.org by close of business on 31^st October 2010 by 5:000 pm. 

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview scheduled in Abuja for November 17-18 2011. 

No telephone queries will be responded to. The interview will consist of a panel interview, of a test in French and eventually a Power Point Presentation on a topic to be communicated to them in advance.