Farmer Organisation Advisor at TechnoServe

Job Summary:

• The Farmer Organization Advisor will be responsible for overseeing the self-help group (SHG) and cooperative formation, as well as managing the Local Community Trainers (LCTs).
• The Farmer Organization Advisor will work with the Farmer Organization Managers to recruit, train and provide technical assistance to the dairy SHGs and cooperatives, provide timely and accurate data collection, and monitor performance.
• It should be understood that the tasks outlined below are the key responsibilities, but the employee is expected to perform any tasks that are necessary within the context of the evolving needs of the program.

Program Overview

• TechnoServe is currently looking for one (1) Farmer Organization Advisor for a dairy development program in Nigeria. The program seeks to catalyze the Nigerian dairy sector in an inclusive way that improves the livelihoods, productivity, nutrition and empowerment of smallholder women dairy farmers and the communities in which they live. More specifically, the program will seek to:
• Advocate for an enabling environment for local sourcing through engagements with the government and relevant private sector stakeholders.
• Increase demand for locally sourced milk through partnerships with dairy processors currently or interested in sourcing locally.
• Improve smallholder dairy farmers’ productivity by increasing their access to technical support services and the right inputs.
• Empower women dairy farmers and enable them to improve their livelihoods and that of their households.
• Improve nutrition outcomes among smallholder dairy households through food systems entry points.

TechnoServe’s role as an implementing partner in this program will include:

• Identification of dairy households in targeted states
• Organizing farmers into Self-Help Groups (SHG) and strengthening these groups
• Provision of financial inclusion & income diversification.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with state ADPs, extension agents, local community trainers (LCTs) and local communities to recruit and select farmers to be integrated into the formal dairy value chain.
• Support recruitment and training of the program’s extension agents to ensure sufficient female representation.
• Support the Farmer Organization Manager in the assessment and mapping of farmer organizations in the program States.
• Set up, register and operationalize new SHGs, and formalize existing SHGs into cooperatives.
• Manage a team of LCTs to provide training and follow-up support to participating dairy farmers.
• Record-keeping of activities, and data collection of information required for monthly reports and analysis.
• Formulate recommendations and solutions with attention to the needs of the dairy farmers, capabilities and limitations.
• Assist in implementing strategies that help resolve any occasional discrepancies and irregularities
• Strict adherence to the time and scope of the program.
• Any other tasks that may be assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or HND in Agribusiness, Business Administration or other relevant fields.
• At least 2 years experience in capacities relating to either Agribusiness, Training, Marketing

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least two years of experience in the livestock value chain (cattle, goats, sheep) within Northern Nigeria.

Required Languages: Hausa, Fulfulde

Travel: 50% of travel within the project state

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to actively engage with community leaders and cooperatives
• Good Negotiation and persuasion skills
• Ability to develop well-written, cohesive analyses and reports
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and strategy skills
• Strong skills in business software (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)