Program Officer (PO), Business Development (BD) at Sasakawa Africa Association

About the Project

• The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) is a 5-year development project aims to develop agro-pastoral production systems in Kano State. The project directly addresses a fundamental root cause of low animal productivity and conflicts because of the transhumance in Nigeria and particularly in Kano State.
• The project is implemented through five interrelated components: Crop Productivity Enhancement, promotion of improved Postharvest and Agro-processing technologies, promote Public-Private Partnerships in support of pluralistic extension delivery and market access, to develop agricultural extension advisory services and to establish a relevant, efficient and effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Sharing system.

Job Descriptions

• The PO BD, assists the Project Coordinator in carrying out activities that contribute to the implementation of value-chain extension approach to attain SAA goal.
• S / he complements the job of the BD Coordinator and is tasked with specific technical responsibilities.

Required Tasks

• In Collaboration with Project Coordinator, leading a team of extension officers, coordinating, supervising and monitoring field-based activities related to the value-chain Development;
• Organize training of the Commodity Associations Trainers (CATs) to ensure that they are efficiently and appropriately trained to undertake the requirements of their responsibilities as trainers and developers. Share back to office reports with Project Coordinator;
• Support the development and emergence of VC-business services providers to support CAs / FBO development;
• Encourage the establishment of village saving and loan associations and facilitate linkages between finance / credit institutions and farmer groups;
• Train farmers, CAs and FBOs on contract negotiation and management. Strengthen farmer access to extension services from input suppliers and project partners;
• Assist Project Coordinator to develop Financial packages / models in collaboration with agro-processors, input dealers, traders, and Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) to increase farmers access to credit and other services;
• Assist Project Coordinator to develop and strengthen market information system, e-extension among key stakeholders in the value chain;
• Build strong farmers / CA / FBOs in villages participating in the value- chain;
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or MA / M.Sc. degree in Agri-Business, Agriculture Economics, Agriculture Extension, Business Management, or in any other related field;
• 5 / 7 years of experience on relevant field respectively

Competences:

• English Proficiency: Level C2 (Especially writing skills)
• English proficiency: Intermediate
• Strong oral, analytical, writing and presentational skills.
• Microsoft Office: Advance knowledge of Power point, Word and Excel
• Knowledge of Econometrics and statistical analysis and good reporting skills
• Excellent project coordination and management skills
• Skills on using ICT (GPS and e-extension tools)
• Agri-business skills