GBLCAREERS

The purpose of the AgCompete project is to strengthen agriculture productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers in Nigeria. The project will be composed of three main components: design of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships and funding to catalyze technological innovations; administration of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and technical assistance that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients to achieve the Missions food security objectives. The project will contribute to the Mission’s overall Feed the Future strategy, which looks to improve agriculture competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

Reporting & Supervision:

Reporting directly to the DCOP, the Director / Private Public Sector Alliances will support the COP and the AgCompete to develop and maintain strong partnerships with the private sector partners, including agroprocessors, cooperatives, etc., financial institutions, and other private sector organizations in relevant market systems.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains strong partnerships with private sector organizations, cooperatives, partners, collaborators and financial institutions;
• Facilitates relationships between value chain actors including smallholders, traders, financial institutions, buyers, processors and agribusiness;
• Organizes and facilitates discussions on agribusiness investment-related policy issues involving representatives of the private and public sector, with a view to reach consensus on improved policies;
• Facilitates high level market linkages to add value to specific value chains. This includes cluster creation with value chain actors from the smallholder field to anchor firm level.
• Responds to requests from donor and supervisors as needed.

Expected Outcomes:

• Delivers and maintains excellent relationships with critical clients;
• Dynamic representation of Creative before private and public sector clients and critical audiences;
• Achieves component deliverables.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• At least a Masters’ degree in business, economics, accounting, finance or other relevant field (or, alternately, a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 5 additional years of relevant experience);
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience, including experience with a Contractor or international NGO managing an office or program;
• Prior relevant experience with USAID or USAID-funded projects is required;
• At least 5 years of experience in senior role facilitating private sector investments in agribusinesses;
• Experience managing projects and/or an office with culturally diverse teams and working with counterparts from other cultures;
• Prior experience in Nigeria required;
• Excellent oral and written English required.