Job Openings at Connexus Corporation

About the Opportunity

• We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Agricultural Market Resilience Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity.
• The Agricultural Market Resilience Specialist will be responsible for integrating resilience-building strategies into project activities, ensuring that agricultural market systems are robust and adaptable to various shocks and stresses. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Design and implement resilience-building interventions within agriculture market systems, considering unique socioeconomic, environmental, and value chain contexts of Nigeria.
• Conduct assessments to identify vulnerabilities and risks within agricultural value chains and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
• Provide technical guidance and support on integrating agricultural resilience principles into project activities, including market analyses, value chain development, and capacity building.
• Develop and delivery training programs and workshops to build the capacity of smallholder farmers and other value chain actors in resilience concepts, tools, technologies, and practices.
• Coordinate with other technical specialists on the Activity to ensure the integration of agricultural resilience concepts and techniques across all project components.
• Contribute to Activity reporting, documentation, and knowledge management activities, including capturing lessons learned, best practices, and success stories related to resilience in agricultural market systems.
• Stay abreast of latest developments, research findings, techniques, and innovations in agricultural resilience techniques, and adapt approaches, as necessary, to reflect newest and most relevant resilience innovations and technologies.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Agronomy, Agriculture Economics, Environmental Sciences, or another relevant field with a minimum of 9 years of professional experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project; or Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agriculture Economics, Environmental Sciences, or another relevant field with a minimum 11 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Experience designing, implementing, or managing resilience-focused projects, especially in agriculture.
• Strong understanding of agricultural market systems, value chain development, and livelihoods enhancement approaches to international development projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting resilience assessments, vulnerability analyses, and risk management for agriculture in complex environments.
• Excellent written communication skills, including ability to contribute to high-quality project reports.
• Fluency in English required and other local languages desired.
• Must be authorized to work in Nigeria.

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About the Opportunity

• We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity.
• The CSA Specialist will be responsible for integrating climate-smart practices into project activities and leading efforts to enhance the adaptive capacity of farmers and value chain actors to climate impacts while promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of climate-smart strategies and interventions within the Activity framework.
• Conduct climate vulnerability assessments and identify opportunities for integrating CSA practices throughout multiple agriculture value chains, including rice, maize, soya, aquaculture, cowpea, and horticulture crops.
• Provide technical guidance to Activity staff and partners on integrating climate-smart practices into agricultural production, processing, and marketing activities.
• Collaborate with smallholder farmers, agri-SMEs, research institutions, and government agencies to promote the adoption of CSA practices.
• Develop and deliver training programs and workshops to build the capacity of smallholder farmers and other value chain actors in CSA techniques, technologies, and practices.
• Contribute to knowledge management activities by documenting best practices, lessons learned, and success stories for the Activity’s CSA interventions.
• Coordinate with other technical specialists on the Activity to ensure the integration of CSA across all project components.
• Stay abreast of latest developments, research findings, techniques, and innovations in climate smart agriculture and adapt approaches, as necessary, to reflect newest and most relevant CSA innovations and technologies.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Agronomy, Agriculture Economics, Environmental Sciences, or another relevant field with a minimum of 9 years of professional experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project; or Bachelor's Degree in Agronomy, Agriculture Economics, Environmental Sciences, or another relevant field with a minimum 11 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Strong understanding of climate smart agriculture adaptation and mitigation strategies and practices.
• Knowledge of agriculture value chain development and market systems approaches to international development projects, especially USAID funded activities.
• Excellent written communication skills, including ability to contribute to high-quality project reports.
• Fluency in English required and other local languages desired.
• Must be authorized to work in Nigeria.

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About the Opportunity

• We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Gender Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity.
• The Gender Specialist will be responsible for ensuring gender equality throughout all project activities, including identifying gender disparities, developing strategies to address them, and promoting women’s empowerment in agriculture. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Conduct gender analyses to identify barriers and opportunities for women's increased participation and empowerment in agriculture market systems.
• Collaborate with Activity staff to integrate gender considerations into project design, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes.
• Assist women in agriculture to identify and develop viable agribusiness opportunities, including supporting them on business planning, market analysis, and access to finance.
• Facilitate connections between women in agriculture and key market actors, such as input suppliers, buyers, processors, and financial institutions to enhance their market access and integration.
• Facilitate workshops and trainings on gender equality, women's empowerment, and social inclusion for project stakeholders, including the private sector, extension workers, and market actors.
• Provide technical assistance to ensure that project activities promote gender equality and benefit women, youth, and marginalized groups.
• Collaborate with local organizations, private sector stakeholders, and other development partners to leverage resources, expertise, and networks for maximizing the impact of gender-focused interventions in agricultural market systems.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Gender Studies, Rural Development, Agriculture or another relevant field with a minimum of 6 years of professional experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project; or Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Rural Development, Agriculture or another relevant field with a minimum 8 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Strong understanding of gender dynamics, women's empowerment strategies, and social inclusion principles, especially for an agricultural market systems development project.
• Proven experience conducting gender analyses, developing gender-sensitive tools, and implementing gender mainstreaming approaches.
• Excellent written communication skills, including ability to contribute to high-quality project reports.
• Fluency in English required and other local languages desired.
• Must be authorized to work in Nigeria.

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About the Opportunity

• We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Youth Development Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity.
• The Youth Development Specialist will be responsible for promoting the inclusion and engagement of youth in agricultural market systems, including working with other Activity staff, local communities, and other stakeholders to design and implement youth-focused initiatives to build youth capacity and enhance market opportunities. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Applying positive youth development practices, engage and mobilize youth, including women and those from marginalized groups, fostering their enhanced involvement in agriculture-related activities and initiatives.
• Organize training sessions, workshops, and mentorship programs aimed at equipping youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to actively participate in agricultural market systems.
• Assist youth in identifying and developing viable agribusiness opportunities, providing guidance on business planning, market analysis, and access to finance.
• Facilitate connections between youth and key market actors such as input suppliers, buyers, processors, and financial institutions to enhance their market access and integration.
• Introduce and promote innovative agricultural practices, technologies, and digital tools to youth, helping them to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the market.
• Offer technical guidance and support to youth-led agricultural initiatives, supporting them to address challenges and providing solutions to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability.
• Collaborate with local organizations, private sector stakeholders, and other development partners to leverage resources, expertise, and networks for maximizing the impact of youth-focused interventions in agricultural market systems.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Youth Development, Agricultural Economics, Business or another relevant field with a minimum of 6 years of professional experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project; or Bachelor’s degree in Youth Development, Agricultural Economics, Business or another relevant field with a minimum 8 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Strong understanding of agricultural value chains, market dynamics, and youth-led innovation in agriculture.
• Proven experience designing and implementing capacity building trainings and mentorship initiatives for youth.
• Excellent written communication skills, including ability to contribute to high-quality project reports.
• Fluency in English required and other local languages desired.
• Must be authorized to work in Nigeria.