Job Opportunities at TechnoServe

Job Summary:

The Gender Manager will work closely with all components of the Proper Cashew team in Nigeria, in coordination with the Global Gender Practice, to support the delivery of gender integration activities in the Prosper Cashew Project. This will include technical support to program staff, staff capacity development, direct management of gender integration activities, monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management activities, participation in the Gender Champions Network, and overall support to advance TechnoServe’s Gender Equality Policy.

Program/Practice/Department Overview:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service through its Food for Progress (FFPr) program is anticipating funding a regional value chain improvement program for cashew production and processing in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria for the period of 2021-2026. West Africa is responsible for 45% of the global cashew production, yet the majority of those yields are exported for processing. The project will complement other USDA investments and programs in this sector to address market barriers through technical assistance (TA) and financing solutions along the West Africa cashew value chain to improve sector productivity, increase incomes, and create jobs.

Specifically, the Prosper Cashew project seeks:

• Increased value added to the cashew sector in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria, primarily through increased processing into kernels and cashew byproducts
• Increased mobilization of capital for the cashew sector
• Increased capacity of key stakeholder institutions
• Improved policy and legal/regulatory enabling environment
• Increased competitiveness and integration of the cashew sector into global markets
• Inclusive net job creation, particularly in the expanded processing and byproduct sector.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Provide technical oversight and technical assistance on gender integration across the Prosper Cashew Project
• Provide technical oversight and technical assistance on gender integration
• Identify, develop, and support the deployment of gender-responsive activities to meet the needs of clients
• Lead the building of local capacity among processor and project staff for gender integration and facilitate gender-related training for staff
• Lead the development and adoption of gender analysis tools, including gender action plans, which assist with the design and implementation of activities and continuously improve technical excellence
• Conduct assessments and facilitate meetings, as needed, with key stakeholders and clients to identify measures to improve inclusiveness, especially for women within the project scope
• Provide strategic guidance and counsel to program leadership and staff on gender integration approaches, priorities, and compatibility with program aims and resource constraints
• Support monitoring of gender integration in activities and inclusion in program reports
• Contribute to reporting on gender-related topics
• Lead the development of essential knowledge products (e.g., case studies, lessons-learned documents, etc.) that facilitate program development, program implementation, internal knowledge sharing, and the influencing agenda
• Support staff recruitment and hiring processes
• Participate in regular meetings with the Global Gender Practice and the program leadership
• Lead in the identification and implementation of particular gender interventions within the processing firm while showing how it improves overall processors' image and revenue base through such interventions.
• Participate in the Gender Champions Network

Basic Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with seven years of experience or a Master’s with five years of experience. Degree in development economics, sociology, anthropology, gender, or another relevant discipline
• Demonstrable experience implementing practical approaches to advance gender equality in the private sector. Someone who understand gender mainstreaming within the for profit sector
• Experience in adult learning techniques, excellent in-person and virtual facilitation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional qualifications that would make a candidate more desirable.

• Strong gender experience working in Nigeria.
• Experience working with international donors, especially with US donors.
• Experience working with high-margin agriculture, especially tree crops-related projects.
• Experience implementing approaches to mitigate and reduce gender-based violence in economic growth programs, a plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The candidate should have the following

• Good communication skills
• Good Communication skills
• Understanding of project management
• keen interest in details
• Ability to work across teams to influence behavior and build capacity.
• Ability to work persuasively and diplomatically in a team-based environment with high complexity and ambiguity.
• Ability to communicate complex gender issues with clarity and precision
• Demonstrated success in leading tasks, activities, or initiatives requiring a combination of strong analytical, writing, social, and management skills
• A deep, demonstrable commitment to gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.
• Must have high standards of personal integrity and a flexible, laid-back personality with an excellent sense of humor required

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Job Summary:

Reporting to the Country Director, the Operations Manager is a dynamic and agile position that will play a key role in enabling implementation of project activities in an efficient and compliant manner while ensuring the effective use of resources for maximum impact.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Procurement

• Lead procurement planning and implement annual and biannual procurement plans and ensure that they are appropriate and in line with TechnoServe’s and donor requirements and policies.
• Prepare a range of documents, contracts, communications, directives, instructions, etc., relating to procurement operations.
• Manage all procurement processes for goods, services, and consulting, including reviewing Request for Proposals (RFPs) and tender documents.
• Verify compliance with products and services ordered.
• In collaboration with the Senior Operations coordinator ensure adequate training in procurement procedures for all project staff.

Operations Management

• Act as focal point person for all project operational activities (IT, Procurement, Logistics, Safety and Security) in coordination with the Senior Operations coordinator, Finance and HR.
• Ensure and plan for the efficient use of resources to deliver quality operations support to the project team.
• Develop forecasting tools to inform planning and operational decision-making.
• Provide proactive advice to the program team to ensure optimal operational systems while maintaining adherence to TechnoServe’s relevant policies (e.g., vehicle, travel, procurement, etc.)
• Assess and suggest improvements for the above operational activities.
• Identify gaps in knowledge and skills and provide training.
• Manage the Country Office team, including the Senior Operations Coordinator, Project Administrations, IT specialist, logistics teams, ensuring sound logistical arrangements are in place to support project implementation, including fleet and other resource management

Administration

• Manage procurement and set up of field office space, equipment, vehicles, and other items in compliance with TechnoServe and donor policies and regulations.
• Draft, negotiate, and review contracts (including service agreements, office leases, purchase orders, etc.), ensuring all required contractual terms and conditions are included and obtaining the best value for the project
• Facilitate logistics arrangements such as travel and fleet management.
• Perform administrative tasks to ensure TechnoServe adheres to local legal and statutory requirements as required.
• Support project event planning and logistics as needed.
• Work closely with the Senior Finance Specialist, to ensure reliable and accurate data is submitted.
• Work closely with the Senior Finance Specialist, to provide guidance to project staff to ensure compliance with statutory procurement and reporting and donor regulations to ensure zero unallowable costs

Security

• In collaboration with the Senior Operations coordinator, maintain a safety and security plan, as well as Safety and Security Operating Procedures for the Nigeria country office and ensure project staff and visitors are briefed and comply with all security protocols.
• Work with the Senior Operations coordinator to conduct regular reviews of security procedures and equipment, recommending areas of improvement in collaboration with the Nigeria country office staff and HQ experts.
• Ensure adherence of project activities and staff to the country safety and security plans

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business management, Economics, Supply chain management, Sociology or other related field plus 7 years of professional experience with increasing responsibilities related to procurement, Logistics, Human resources, Contractual management, Finance. Alternatively, a Master's degree with at least 5 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with large United States government (USDA or USAID) and other donor funded projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks with competing deadlines.
• Strong sense of collegiality, integrity, resourcefulness, and accountability for results.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• An ability to think critically and elevate risks to management.
• A creative and entrepreneurial approach to resolving problems.
• Working knowledge and experience managing people and developing strong working relationships.
• Knowledge of generally-accepted accounting and procurement practices.
• Advanced-level knowledge of Microsoft Excel, and basic functional knowledge of field accounting software packages.