Portfolio Manager, Specialisation in Agricultural Technology, Innovation or Finance at Palladium Group

PURPOSE

• The Portfolio Manager will lead the identification, design and execution of market-led interventions that contribute to delivering the Programme’s key objectives. With oversight from the Work Stream Lead,
• S/he will work closely with other Programme teams to deliver results on a portfolio of interventions related to agricultural technology, innovation or finance.

REPORTING

• This post will report to a Work Stream Lead.

RESPONSIBILITY:

• This post will be responsible for the: Senior Intervention Officers

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall strategic direction for the market sector/portfolio and all interventions within the sector/portfolio, designing Evidence-based business models, intervention plans and relevant intervention guides with measurement plans for managing performance and alignment with programme results.
• Identifying new opportunities markets that contribute to the overall programme strategy and making the case to senior management.
• Initiating and managing all market related value chain analysis ensuring study designs, contracting and implementation are done in accordance to set standards.
• Develop and pitch business cases to potential business partners.
• Lead stakeholder analysis of selected commodity chains as well as identifying potential agents of change.
• Overseeing the implementation of all market interventions ensuring initiative is taken and setting work plans for the intervention.
• Identifying and establishing strategic partnerships within the market and playing a lead role in managing all established partnerships
• Integrate CSA, conflict-sensitivity, political economy, GESI, and nutrition sensitivity into the interventions both at a smallholder farmer level and across the value chain / wider market system.
• Ensure:
• Administrative guidance is followed for grants, MoUs, and general administration.
• Budgets are managed for the markets being supervised.
• Security guidelines are followed by all team members.

Team Management

• Improving the performance of the team through mentoring and coaching
• Ensuring good linkages with the Results Measurement team
• Contributing to the overall leadership of the programme as part of the management team
• Work with Communications and MERL team to ensure intervention results are documented and ploughed into learning.

Key competencies / Experience

• Candidate will possess minimum of first degree in Economics, Agric-economics, any field of Engineering, Project management, marketing, or Strategic management. Master’s degree in any business, information technology and finance will be an added advantage.
• 5-7years cognate experience facilitating market systems development approach. Private sector sales and marketing experience will be an added advantage.
• Experience designing business models and bottom of the pyramid models that catalyse investments from agribusinesses.
• Experience and knowledge of the agricultural and food market.
• Experience in the investment landscape and brokering investment deals.
• Hands-on experience leading business analysis and developing viable business plans
• Evidence of the ability to form strong partnerships.
• Credibility within the business community
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to develop well written, cohesive reports.
• Strong skills in business software (Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint)
• Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English.
• Team management experience
• Willingness to travel domestically, especially to the north of Nigeria, is essential.
• Previous experience on M4P projects preferred.
• Risk identification and mitigation
• The role is based in Abuja, although extensive travels within northern Nigeria will be required.