Partnerships Manager at TechnoServe

Job Summary

• The Partnerships Manager will build and manage strategic partnerships, engaging diverse stakeholders including processors, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs), government agencies, financial institutions, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to scale impact in food processing and waste-to-value (W2V) activities.
• This role focuses on fostering inclusive sourcing, backward integration, and policy advocacy to create sustainable job opportunities for young women and persons with disabilities (PWD). The Partnerships Manager will serve as a primary external-facing representative of the project, building trust and credibility with stakeholders across public, private, and civil society sectors. The ideal candidate will have exceptional networking and negotiation skills, deep understanding of multi-stakeholder collaboration, and proven ability to influence policy and practice in support of inclusive economic development.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• Technical & Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Engagement
• Establish and maintain relationships with TVET institutions, polytechnics, and universities across the ten implementation states
• Develop memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with TVETs for participant recruitment, training delivery, and internship placement
• Work with TVETs to align curriculum with industry needs and embed food processing and W2V content into existing programs
• Facilitate internship and apprenticeship opportunities for TVET students with processing companies and W2V enterprises
• Support TVETs in developing practical training facilities and updating equipment to meet industry standards
• Create pathways for TVET graduates to transition into employment or entrepreneurship in target value chains
• Engage TVET instructors in project training programs and capacity building initiatives
• Explore opportunities for certification and accreditation of project training through TVET institutions
• Enterprise Support Organization (ESO) & Business Development Services
• Partner with ESOs, business development service providers, and business membership organizations to extend project reach and impact
• Engage business associations, chambers of commerce, and industry groups in project activities
• Facilitate ESO participation in training delivery, business advisory services, and mentorship programs
• Support ESOs in developing specialized services for women-led and PWD-led enterprises
• Create referral mechanisms between the project and ESO networks for ongoing business support
• Build capacity of ESOs to deliver inclusive business development services
• Leverage ESO networks for market linkages, peer learning, and advocacy
• Government Relations & Policy Engagement
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant government ministries, departments, and agencies at federal, state, and local levels. Engage with government initiatives such as Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), import substitution programs, and youth employment schemes to create complementarities and avoid duplication
• Advocate for policies that support gender inclusion, GBV prevention, PWD accommodations, and fair labor practices in food processing
• Participate in policy dialogues, working groups, and technical committees related to agricultural processing, youth employment, and inclusive development
• Support the development of regulations, standards, and guidelines that create an enabling environment for micro and small processors
• Facilitate project participation in government-led forums, exhibitions, and promotional events
• Monitor policy developments and regulatory changes that may affect project activities or target beneficiaries
• Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) Collaboration
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with OPDs at national and state levels
• Partner with OPDs for identification and recruitment of PWD participants
• Engage OPDs in accessibility assessments of training venues, work environments, and project activities
• Collaborate with OPDs in developing tailored training approaches and reasonable accommodations
• Support OPDs in advocating for disability rights and inclusive employment in the food processing sector
• Create platforms for PWD entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and connect with market opportunities
• Ensure PWD voices and perspectives inform project design and implementation through regular consultation
• Document and share success stories of PWD participants to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion
• Partnership Performance & Adaptive Management
• Establish clear partnership frameworks with defined roles, responsibilities, and mutual commitments
• Monitor partnership performance against agreed objectives and indicators
• Document partnership processes, challenges, and solutions to inform adaptive management
• Conduct regular partnership review meetings and adjustment of strategies as needed
• Share lessons learned and best practices with project team to inform program design and implementation
• Develop partnership success stories and case studies for communication and advocacy purposes
• Ensure partnerships prioritize youth, women, and PWD through incentive mechanisms such as grants, recognition, or preferential access to project resources

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, International Relations, or related field with 7 years of experience; OR a Master’s Degree with at least 5 years of experience.
• Proven Track Record: Must have demonstrated experience creating job and work opportunities for youth, women, and disenfranchised populations.
• Technical Experience: Experience in agriculture, food processing, or agribusiness sectors, ideally with donor-funded programs.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation skills with a proven ability to broker deals and find "win-win" solutions in complex multi-party discussions.
• Languages: Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Hausa, Yoruba, or Igbo is a significant advantage.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in Nigeria with donor-funded programs on youth employment, agricultural development, or private sector engagement
• Knowledge of policy advocacy processes and experience influencing government policy
• Prior work on gender equality and disability inclusion initiatives
• Experience with market systems development approaches and facilitative programming
• Established networks within Nigeria's food processing industry, government, or development sector
• Experience organizing high-level events, forums, and multi-stakeholder dialogues
• Background in private sector development or public-private partnerships

Required Languages

• Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in local languages (Hausa, Yoruba, or Igbo) is highly advantageous for stakeholder engagement

Travel

• At least 50% of the time for partner meetings, stakeholder engagements, and field visits across the ten implementation states

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Proven ability to build and manage strategic partnerships across government and private sector stakeholders, including negotiation and facilitation of multi-party agreements.
• Solid understanding of Nigeria’s agriculture, employment, and social inclusion landscape, with experience in policy engagement and inclusive market-based approaches.
• Strong strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and systems perspective, with the ability to identify and structure high-value partnerships aligned with project objectives.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution skills, supported by project coordination and event management experience.
• Technical knowledge of agribusiness value chains (soybean, sesame, tomato, ginger), youth employment, TVET systems, and circular economy concepts.
• Proficient in MS Office, CRM platforms, and virtual collaboration tools; adaptable, ethical, and collaborative in approach.