Zonal Program Coordinator at Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Main Responsibilities

• The Zonal Program Coordinator will be responsible toe the overall management and implementation of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase I (ATASP-I) at the Zone.
• He/She will also be responsible for managing the team of experts within the ZPCT and ensuring their performance and that of the service providers hired to implement program activities.
• A key element of the position will be to ensure that the Program achieves its development objectives.

Specific Duties

• Coordinate and supervise all Zonal activities of the ATASP- I, in direct liaison with the National Program Coordinator (NPC).
• Organize and conduct program coordination meetings, as well as facilitating the Zonal Steering Committee (ZSC), including providing all information required by the committee and acting as the secretary for the committee.
• Responsible for efficient and effective management of project resources, including being signatory to the program accounts.
• Coordinate the recruitment of technical assistants to fill the positions in the ATASP-l, required for implementation of the program at the zone.
• Appraise ATASP- I renal technical staff on regular basis on job performance and otherwise, and ensure effective supervision of other contracted service providers.
• With the assistance and guidance of the zonal procurement officer, take full responsibility for procurement of services in project implementation.
• As the head of the renal program implementation team, coordinate and supervise time activities of implementing Partners, in particular NGOs and Consultant Technical Services Providers (TSPs) to ensure effective delivery of Programs services.
• Promote collaboration with other partners, including the private sector. in program implementation.
• Ensure effective planning and execution of program activities its accordance with the appraisal report and loan / grant agreements. Prepare Zonal Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWPBs) and Procurement Plans for approval by the Zonal Programs Steering Committee: and ensure submission to NPC for approval by September of every year.
• Authorize the releases of funds for agreed activities and ensure timely and appropriate reporting on progress and problems of Program implementation, including Quarterly and Annual Progress Reports, a Mid-Term Review Report. Audit Reports and Project Completion Report, in accordance with agreed reporting format.
• Coordinate and fully participate in the activities of the Banks supervision missions with all national stakeholders in the mission activities.
• Ensure that all program staff prepare and agree on performance objectives and criteria at the beginning of every year. Appraise program staff performance on monthly and annual basis.
• Undertake any other responsibility that will ensure smooth and effective implementation of the Program.

Qualifications and Experiences

• Master's degree or equivalent in Agriculture, Rural Development, or a related Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness together with postgraduate qualification or proven specialized training in project management.
• Minimum of 8 years post qualification experience in the coordination of donor-funded (preferably multilateral) projects/programs with proven leadership, team building and effective communication qualities. Experience with community-based and/or small holder-oriented development initiatives is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate, and monitor his/her own work plan and those of subordinate staff.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and to make appropriate links in work processes and anticipate next steps.
• Self-motivated
• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills, including negotiation skills
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, including presentations.
• Computer literacy with proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word. Excel and Power Point applications.
• Well-developed organizational skills
• Thorough knowledge of Government and private sector institutional and organizational structures and operations in general. Experience in Nigeria is required.

Reporting and location

• The position will be in the ZPCT Office. The ZPC will report directly to NPC as well as indirectly to the Zonal Program Steering Committee (ZPSC).
• As the secretary to the ZPSC, the ZPC will also tenors to the ZPSC.

Terms of Appointment
Maximum of five years, renewable every year subject to satisfactory performance. The performance criteria will be the indicator for assessing every officer.