Job Openings at Connexus Corporation

About the Opportunity

• Connexus is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Institutional Strengthening Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity. The Institutional Strengthening Specialist will play a critical role in enhancing the capacity and effectiveness of institutions and agribusinesses in agricultural market systems throughout Nigeria. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Work closely with Activity staff to develop and implement strategies to strengthen the institutional and organizational capacity of key agricultural value chain stakeholders, focusing on governance structures, organizational management, technical expertise, and operational efficiency, among other areas.
• Conduct rigorous assessments of institutional gaps and weaknesses and develop evidence-based strategies and action plans to address identified challenges.
• Provide tailored capacity building support to local institutions through training programs, workshops, mentoring, and coaching sessions.
• Provide technical guidance and support on integrating institutional strengthening activities into project activities, strategies, and work plans.
• Contribute to Activity reporting, documentation, and knowledge management activities, including capturing lessons learned, best practices, and success stories related to institutional strengthening programming.
• Stay abreast of latest developments, research findings, and innovations in institutional strengthening research, and adapt approaches, as necessary, to reflect newest and most relevant innovations and techniques.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Organizational Development, Business, Agriculture Economics, 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 Organizational Development, Business, Agriculture Economics, or another relevant field with a minimum 11 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Proven expertise in conducting institutional assessments, developing capacity building plans or business plans, and implementing strategies to enhance organizational effectiveness and performance.
• Strong understanding of agricultural market systems, value chain dynamics, and the socio-economic context of rural communities in Nigeria.
• 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

• Connexus is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Natural Resources Management (NRM) Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity. The Natural Resources Management Specialist will be responsible for providing technical expertise in the management of natural resources within the context of agricultural market systems development. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Design and implement strategies that promote sustainable land and water management practices, enhance environmental conservation, and mitigate the impact of climate change on agricultural production.
• Conduct assessments to identify key challenges related to natural resources management in target states, and identify strategies for how the Activity can address these barriers.
• Provide technical guidance on best practices for land and water management, soil conservation, and biodiversity preservation.
• Collaborate with relevant governments agencies, other donor-funded projects, NGOs, and community-based organizations to promote sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation initiatives.
• Facilitate capacity building activities, including training, workshops, and knowledge sharing sessions to enhance stakeholders’ understanding of natural resources management and climate smart agriculture principles.
• Contribute to Activity reporting, documentation, and knowledge management activities, including capturing lessons learned, best practices, and success stories related to natural resources management programming.
• Stay abreast of latest developments, research findings, and innovations in natural resources management, and adapt approaches, as necessary, to reflect newest and most relevant innovations and principles.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, 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 Natural Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture, or another relevant field with a minimum 11 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Experience designing and implementing sustainable land and water management, soil conservation, and biodiversity conservation, preferably within the agriculture sector.
• Strong understanding of the biodiversity and environmental context in Nigeria, particularly as it relates to agriculture and natural resources management.
• 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

• Connexus is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Nutrition Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity. The Nutrition Specialist will play a critical role in integrating nutrition-sensitive approaches into the Activity’s agricultural interventions to improve the nutritional outcomes for smallholder farmers and agricultural communities. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Work closely with Activity staff to design and implement nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions that promote the production, consumption, and utilization of diverse and nutritious foods.
• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments to understand the nutritional status and needs of target communities and analyze data to identify key nutrition challenges, gaps, and opportunities for intervention.
• Provide technical guidance and support on integrating nutrition-sensitive 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 on nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices, such as crop diversification, food safety and preservation, and dietary diversity.
• Coordinate with other technical specialists on the Activity to ensure the integration of nutrition-sensitive indicators, 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 nutrition-sensitive agriculture programming.
• Stay abreast of latest developments, research findings, and innovations in nutrition research, and adapt approaches, as necessary, to reflect newest and most relevant nutrition-sensitive innovations and techniques.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences, Agronomy, Agriculture Economics, 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 Nutritional Sciences, Agronomy, Agriculture Economics, or another relevant field with a minimum 11 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Experience designing and implementing nutrition-sensitive international development agriculture programs.
• Strong understanding of nutrition concepts including dietary diversity, micronutrient deficiencies, and food security and approaches used to improve these concepts in international development projects.
• Demonstrated expertise conducting nutrition assessments, surveys, and research.
• 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

• Connexus is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Private Sector Engagement (PSE) & Enterprise Development Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity. The PSE & Enterprise Development Specialist will be responsible for engaging private sector actors and fostering partnerships, promoting innovation, and enhancing the productivity and profitability of agricultural value chains. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Design and implement strategies to engage private sector actors, including agribusinesses, input suppliers, and service providers, among others, to drive inclusive and competitive agricultural market development.
• Identify, assess, and cultivate strategic partnerships with private sector actors, including agric-MSMEs, investors, and industry associations.
• Conduct market assessments, value chain analyses, and feasibility studies to identify business constraints and opportunities for private-sector enterprise development.
• Develop and implement innovative business models, value-added services, and market-driven solutions to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of agricultural enterprises.
• Collaborate with relevant government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for private sector investment and enterprise development.
• Facilitate capacity-building activities, including training, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions for private sector actors to share techniques, strategies, and models for growing and developing their businesses.
• Contribute to Activity reporting, documentation, and knowledge management activities, including capturing lessons learned, best practices, and success stories related to PSE and enterprise development programming.
• Stay abreast of latest developments, research findings, and innovations in PSE and enterprise development, and adapt approaches, as necessary, to reflect newest and most relevant innovations and principles.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business, Agricultural Economics, 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 Business, Agricultural Economics, or another relevant field with a minimum 11 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Experience designing and implementing strategies to build the capacity of private sector actors and proven track record of building and managing partnerships with the private sector, government, and other stakeholders.
• Strong technical expertise in market analysis, business development, value chain development, access to finance.
• 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

• Connexus is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Social & Behavior Change (SBC) & Training Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity.
• The SBC & Training Specialist will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of social and behavior change strategies aimed at promoting the adoption of improved agricultural practices and technologies among smallholder farmers and other agricultural value chain stakeholders. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Work closely with Activity staff to design and implement comprehensive social and behavior change strategies tailored to the Activity’s objectives and target demographics.
• Collaborate with project partners, government agencies, community leaders, and other value chain stakeholders to identify SBC priorities, build partnerships, and ensure effective coordination of activities.
• Provide technical guidance and support on integrating SBC principles into project activities and communications materials, including market analyses, value chain development, capacity building, and social media campaigns.
• Develop and deliver training programs, workshops, and other interactive sessions to promote the adoption of improved agricultural practices and techniques among smallholder farmers and other value chain stakeholders.
• Coordinate with other technical specialists on the Activity to ensure the integration of SBC 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 SBC programming.
• Stay abreast of latest developments, research findings, and innovations in SBC research, and adapt approaches, as necessary, to reflect newest and most relevant SBC innovations and techniques.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Communications, Psychology, Nutritional Sciences, Agriculture Economics, 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 Communications, Psychology Nutritional Sciences, Agriculture Economics, or another relevant field with a minimum 11 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Experience designing and implementing SBC programs and designing SBC communications, preferably in the agriculture or rural development sectors.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing engaging training programs.
• Proven expertise in behavior change theories, methodologies, and communications techniques.
• Strong facilitation, training, capacity building, and interpersonal skills.
• 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.