Value Chain Development Director - Nigeria USAID/Feed the Future at Palladium Group

Project Overview And Role

• Palladium brings more than 50 years of experience applying rigorous, evidence-led methodologies to international development. Our work covers health, education, economic growth, governance, environmental issues, informatics, workforce development, and monitoring and evaluation, offering innovative approaches that support the design, planning, implementation, and evaluation of development programs. Our presence extends across more than 90 countries, creating positive impact over 100 projects through the dedication of 2,000+ project and home office staff.
• Palladium seeks a Value Chain Development Lead for an anticipated USAID-funded Nigeria opportunities in Agriculture Competitiveness Project.

Responsibilities

• Provides overarching vision in value chain development across several staple food crops, including nutrition sensitive value chains.
• Provides technical leadership to value chain specialists, trouble shooting as necessary any challenges to specific value chain development
• Advises on best practices for value chain development throughout the country through climate smart agriculture, post-harvest handling, processing, trade and enterprise development.
• Develops concepts, methodologies, guidelines and indicators for agricultural marketing and inclusive and sustainable agri-food value chain development;
• Oversees and leads analysis of selected food value chains with emphasis on growth opportunities and improvement of product quality, value chain addition, feasibility of agribusiness investment projects. Analysis should also include assessment of constraints/opportunities related to agribusiness investment, support services, and private sector engagement.
• Facilitates relationships between value chain actors including smallholders, traders, financial institutions, buyers, processors and agribusiness.

Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in crop production, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics or related field. Knowledge of aquaculture a plus.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience working with USAID or another donor agency.
• Seven years professional work experience in crop production and/or crop protection, or food security, value chain development including facilitation, agribusiness, marketing, and financial services, private sector development, and enabling environment policy reforms.
• Experience in training, provision of technical assistance and public private facilitation among smallholders and value chain actors.
• Previous experience in Nigeria preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills required for working with project staff and beneficiaries
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with limited guidance
• Excellent communication skills are essential to write effectively and persuasively and be able to present information in a variety of settings and formats
• Fluency in English required
• Experience with gender mainstreaming a plus
• Preference will be given to local candidates.