Nigeria Country Coordinator, Ag Youth Lab Program at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Contract Type: One-Year Renewable Contract

Program Summary

• Ag Youth Lab will focus on major food shed areas in Oyo, Ogun and Osun States. The primary objective is to assist more than 10,000 unemployed, out-of-school, disadvantaged youth ages 18 to 24 to access higher-wage jobs or start their own businesses in high-potential horticulture, aquaculture, poultry, cassava or oilseeds sectors.
• The program will aim for equal representation of young men and women across its programs

Duties

• Serve as MSU Ag Youth Lab representative in Nigeria on behalf of the US-based Ag Youth Lab Director.
• Provide program leadership, coordinating Ag Youth Lab Nigeria-based training partners and managing program task flow and results.
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Ag Youth Lab E-platform by the Ag Youth Lab Nigeria-based IT partner.
• Develop partnerships with key private and public sector leaders and organizations related to youth employment and agribusiness, including non-profit organizations and educational institutions.
• Manage technical programs, human resources, and project funds in accordance with MSU and funding agency requirements.
• Manage the MSU project office and oversee financial/administrative and business liaison staff.
• Organize regular calls and meetings of country partners.
• Organize stakeholder meetings to gather input for Ag Youth Lab and share research and implementation results.
• Provide advice and strong support to the research, M&E, and associated data collection activities of visiting MSU faculty and students working with Ag Youth Lab. Advise and provide staff support for program development and logistics
• Drive the development and implementation of an overall project communication strategy for Nigeria, including a campaign to generate youth interest in agrifood employment and entrepreneurship, using print, broadcast and electronic media.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in a business or agriculture-related field is required. A Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Three to five years of experience in project management. Experience with international donorfunded projects is a plus.
• Previous experience in the agribusiness sector is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet software.
• Three professional references should be provided with the application.