Program Assistant - Income generating Activity (IGA) at COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale

Job Summary

• The Assistant IGA Officer will support the implementation of income-generating activities (IGAs) in food processing and value addition for women and youth groups in rural Potiskum.
• Under the guidance of the IGA Officer, the assistant will help facilitate training, monitor processing activities, and ensure the smooth operation of shared processing facilities for rice, ground nuts, vegetable dehydration, canning, and oil extraction.
• The role focuses on field-level execution, beneficiary engagement, and operational support, with less autonomy than the IGA Officer.
• The Assistant IGA Officer ensures smooth on-ground execution of food processing activities, enabling the IGA Officer to focus on strategic program growth.
• This role is ideal for early-career professionals gaining experience in rural livelihoods and agro-processing.

Key Responsibilities
Program Support and Field Implementation:

• Assist in mobilizing and organizing women and youth groups for training and processing activities.
• Support the IGA Officer in delivering technical training on food processing, safety, and equipment use.
• Help monitor the day-to-day operations of common processing facilities (e.g., rice mills, oil presses).
• Conduct field visits to assess group progress and report challenges to the IGA Officer.

Business and Market Linkage Assistance:

• Assist groups in basic record-keeping, production tracking, and sales documentation.
• Support market linkage efforts by gathering price data, identifying local buyers, and organizing product displays.
• Help groups adhere to packaging and labelling standards under supervision.

Technical and Operational Assistance:

• Ensure processing equipment is used correctly and report maintenance needs.
• Assist in demonstrations of energy-efficient processing techniques (e.g., solar drying).
• Monitor hygiene and safety practices at processing sites.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Collect data on group participation, production volumes, and sales.
• Maintain records and prepare basic reports for the IGA Officer’s review.
• Document field observations and success stories.

Coordination and Community Engagement:

• Act as a liaison between beneficiary groups and the IGA Officer.
• Support community sensitization on the benefits of value addition.

Qualifications and Skills

• Diploma or degree in Agriculture, Food Technology, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1–2 years of experience in agro-processing, livelihood support, or community development.
• Basic knowledge of rice, groundnut, and vegetable value chains.
• Proficiency in Hausa/Kanuri (required) and English (basic).
• Willingness to work in rural settings with women and youth groups.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Number of groups regularly supported in processing activities.
• Timely reporting of field issues and maintenance needs.
• Accuracy of data collected for monitoring.
• Beneficiary satisfaction and participation rates.