Program Lead at Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited

Project Scope

• The RISE (Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable Economies) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), is a five-year initiative aimed at promoting climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
• The project will be implemented by MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) in partnership with Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd.
• Together, the two organizations will work to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs within the Rice, Maize, Groundnut and Soybean value chains, particularly women and youth, Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano states.
• The initiative aligns with Canada’s aim to address gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability throughout its implementation.

Overview

• As the Program Lead, you will oversee the effective coordination and delivery of Sahel Consulting’s responsibilities within the RISE project. You will drive strategic implementation, partner engagement, and performance monitoring to ensure that the project achieves its objectives in line with gender equality, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development

Role Responsibilities
Program Strategy and Planning:

• Lead the design and implementation of Sahel’s workstreams in alignment with project goals and GAC’s expectations.
• Collaborate with MEDA and other stakeholders to define strategic direction, workplans, and resource allocations.
• Ensure integration of cross-cutting themes, including gender equality, climate adaptation, and youth inclusion, into all project plans.

Project Implementation and Coordination:

• Oversee execution of Sahel-led activities such as value chain development, stakeholder engagement, and private sector linkages.
• Manage internal teams and consultants to deliver technical assistance, training, and capacity building for agribusinesses and SMEs.
• Ensure timely delivery of outputs and contribute to outcome-level results across project geographies.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Work closely with the MEL team to track progress against key performance indicators and adapt approaches as needed.
• Lead internal reviews and contribute to the project's overall MEL framework, ensuring data quality and timely reporting.
• Integrate feedback, learning, and evidence into project refinement and adaptive management practices.

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Act as Sahel’s primary liaison with MEDA, project partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the project at external meetings, forums, and donor engagements as required.
• Facilitate collaboration with local actors, women's organizations, and private sector partners to deepen impact.

Financial and Operational Oversight

• Provide oversight into budget utilization and ensure compliance with GAC and internal financial procedures.
• Support procurement and contract management processes in line with project requirements and Sahel’s policies.
• Coordinate risk management efforts, including mitigation strategies for program delivery.

Compliance and Reporting:

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, safeguarding standards, and Sahel’s internal quality assurance protocols.
• Prepare and submit high-quality narrative reports, case studies, and documentation of success stories to MEDA and other stakeholders.
• Maintain thorough records of project decisions, partnerships, and key activities.

Innovation and Knowledge Sharing:

• Identify opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and scaling of successful models within the agribusiness and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Promote knowledge exchange and dissemination of insights across teams and stakeholders.
• Contribute to sectoral learning and thought leadership in climate-smart and inclusive agriculture.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications are a plus.
• Experience in project management or working within a Project Management Office is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.