Agri-Prenuer Facilitator at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Building on local platforms scope for project partners in Govemment. NGO and private sectors;
• Scope small and medium enterprise (SME) business opportunities with special emphasis on youth agribusiness development;
• Appraise the technical, market and financial feasibility of the agribusiness opportunities;
• Design partnership agreements towards the sustainable supply of high quality seeds, inoculants and legume-spe~:ific fertilizer with special emphasis on youth entrepreneur involvement;
• Design awareness campaigns for new, existing youth entrepreneurs or project promoted partner
• intemahip programs. calls for interest and a selection procedures for promising candidates;
• Support the youth to develop new (or upgraded) commercially viable business models and associated development strategies along the legume value chains.
• Identify youth Agri-preneurship training needs and design training programs based on them;
• Train the youth in business management, financial management and marketing. .
• Train youth in writing fundable business plans for private financial and public grant institutions;
• Assess and enhance the performance of the business models and develop upgrading strategies;
• Develop appropriate financial products targeting rural youth in consultation with collaborating financial institutions.
• Facilitate linkages and contracts between business model stakeholders including importers, distributors, operators, local promoters and farmers.
• Contribute to the development of promotional materials and marketing strategies by the private sector to support small scale youth businesses along the legume value chain.
• Diagnose Borno State institutional constraints in the development of youth targeted businesses and formulate policy options.
• Conduct group facilitation and organization

Qualification

• MBA/MSc in Agribusiness, Agricultural Development. or a related field, from a well-recognized university

Experience and Skills

• 10 years' experience in agribusiness development or relevant area.
• Experience in the provision of business services (Business Development Services)
• Experience with public-private partnerships.
• Experience with agri-business development, technical, market and financial analysis
• Familiarity with the agricultural development and technology delivery issues in Nigeria.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work with different nationalities, as a member of a diverse work team.

We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.