Value Chain (VC) Advisor at IFDC

Job Description:
The VC Advisor will provide strategic leadership in market systems performance and facilitation, The VC Advisor will provide effective management and oversight of the portfolio of interventions within the selected market sectors. The VC Advisor will manage a team of staff who will identify constrains to growth in the selected sectors and identify leverage points to facilitate change in how these markets can function effectively and serve as one of the drivers for economic and social resilience.

The VC Advisor will work directly with the Deputy Chief of Party and project leads to implement resilience sensitive value chain activities in northern Nigeria. The VC Advisor will provide technical support to clients and partners; plus support project staff in achieving value chain development goals. The VC Advisor will contribute to the overall success of the implementation of value chain grants.

Required Skills:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with an additional 7 years’ experience to the required minimum above. Fields of discipline and experience will be from area such as Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Business Management, and/or Entrepreneurship Development.
• Minimum of 10 years of regional/ international experience in implementing large donor-funded agricultural value chain activities, economic growth, trade, value chain competitiveness, resilience, crop/agricultural development, and/or food security programs. Preference will be given to those with considerable working experience in rural agricultural areas in West Africa, notably northern Nigeria and the Sahel.
• Demonstrated success in implementing programs aimed at increasing the competitiveness and inclusiveness of value chains using facilitation approaches and incorporating the strengthening of the resilience of smallholder farmers and livestock keepers.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain development (i.e., USAID’s value chain and facilitation approach) that support farmers and reaches women, youth, and the poor, creativity, willingness to innovate, think systemically and design catalytic.
• Track record of project design and project implementation capacity building working with host governments, local private sector, and other related players.
• Experience coordinating with subcontractors or multiple interests to achieve common goals.
• At least five years of progressively responsible and supervisory experience.
• Ability to interact regularly and professionally with senior host-government and community level counterparts on activity selection, planning, and field implementation.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and strong track record in meeting deliverables and deadlines.
• Required oral and written communication and presentations skills in English.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating across projects.
• Strong background in gender integration and women empowerment.