Contracts Administration Specialist - USAID/Nigeria NEXTT at CARANA Corporation

The Nigeria Expanded Trade and Transport Program (NEXTT) seeks to improve trade policy, promote agribusiness investment and remove bottlenecks to the free flow of goods, especially agricultural goods. NEXTT builds on and extends trade and transport activities begun under the USAID MARKETS (Maximizing Agriculture Revenue in Key Enterprise and Target Site) Project and on the export promotion activities of NEEP (the Nigeria Expanded Exports Program).

NEXTT will contribute to food security and poverty reduction in Nigeria and support regional trade and transportation objective by facilitating trade flows. It supports the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) and complements agricultural productivity improvement efforts under the United States’ Government’s food security initiative Feed-the-Future, with three program activities: transport corridor improvements, policy reform and trade facilitation and expanded export support.

The project recently launched a Project Development Facility (PDF) to mobilize private capital for high priority investments along the Lagos- Kano – Jibiya (LAKAJI) transport corridor at a more rapid pace. The PDF is envisioned as a catalyst for setting in motion many of the private investments required and to capitalize on the corridor’s natural attributes as an investment magnet. The LAKAJI PDF will play this role vis-à-vis agricultural investment opportunity that aligns with USAID Nigeria’s broader goal of promoting inclusive economic growth and food security. 

Responsibilities:
CARANA Corporation is seeking an exceptional candidate to fill an opening for a contracts management and administration specialist to support procurement and administration of contracts NEXTT Project Development Facility and other project activities:

•     Develop Terms of Reference for technical assistance by foreign consultants and local business development providers.
•     Conduct pricing negotiation to execute fixed price subcontracts and consulting agreements
•     Procure goods and services in accordance with USAID regulations and CARANA policies and procedures
•     Review contractual deliverables and assess the degree to which they meet acceptable quality standards and meet their respective Terms of Reference.
•     Liaise with client firms and partners to ensure that the services they’ve received meet with their expectations
•     Assist in tracking of project performance

Qualifications:

•     A bachelor’s degree in business, economics, international affairs or a related field.
•     Familiarity with USAID regulations and compliance procedures,
•     1-2 years of previous work on USAID projects required
•     Experience administering contracts and/or grants is highly desirable
•     Understanding of finance, feasibility studies, business plans, and agribusiness a plus
•     Strong command of Microsoft Office software, particularly Excel spreadsheets
•     An ability to learn quickly on the job and adapt to evolving requirements
•     Self-motivated with a strong work ethic
•     A team player with a great attitude