Job Openings at IDH - Sustainable Trade Initiative

Your role.

The role requires someone who is result-oriented, organized, self-motivated, with leadership skills and a strong interest and competence in supply chain sustainability and value chain development. As the SPM, you are in the driving seat. You will formulate program’s strategy, making sure it leads to tangible impact in the field.  This includes translating the strategy into implementation plans, and selecting projects to be co-funded by IDH, which contribute to reaching the sector sustainability targets.

Your role will involve building long-term partnerships with key stakeholders and facilitating public-private coalitions towards the development of joint commitments and action plans that will create systemic change at sector level. You will facilitate and drive the value chain transformation program in Nigeria and play a leading role in the convening and coordination of different public and private stakeholders around the sustainability initiatives of IDH in Nigeria. You will also focus on the development and implementation of different value chain projects.

Who you are.

You are an organized and committed team player who can lead teams and have strong interest in supply chain and commodities sustainability. Internally and externally, you operate at the highest level of integrity. You are a trustworthy partner for colleagues as well as external stakeholders. You can manage change and gain commitment easily as you are able to connect to different people with different backgrounds.

You are results-oriented, flexible, cooperative, and hands-on manner, and committed to team’s targets. You can balance multiple and competing priorities and deadlines and track multiple tasks as delegated to the team members and can travel at short notices.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of IDH VCT Business Unit’s strategies and direction in Nigeria.
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of inclusive value chain transformation program activities to increase and improve the commercialization and business operations of SMEs and farmers.
• Lead the convening of the public and private sectors around IDH VCT program activities in Nigeria and support the activities of the Nigerian Food System Transformation Alliance, the Coalition of Aquaculture Stakeholders in Nigeria and two industrial cassava stakeholders’ platforms in Nigeria and Ghana
• Conduct diagnostic assessments and gap analysis of SMEs to determine and design strategies for capability enhancement and viability, including feasibility and market assessment to develop pipelines of partners in different value chains in the country to determine opportunities for IDH VCT programs in Nigeria.
• Work with the private sector and other stakeholders to promote and develop the agricultural value chains in Nigeria to improve productivity, quantity, and quality of outputs for national, regional or international markets.
• In collaboration with the Country Director, support the fundraising efforts for the country’s programs and projects in Nigeria.
• Being responsible for the expansion and maintenance of the relevant network with the private sector, donor base, civil society, and governments at all levels to improve IDH VCT work in Nigeria.

What you bring:

• At least 12 years of relevant working experience in the private and civil sectors
• Master’s degree in economics, business-related discipline, agriculture, or natural resource management
• Excellent understanding of and proven experience with private sector engagement. Entrepreneurial mindset is a key requirement.
• An understanding of smallholder farmer business models, and experience of working with Agri SMEs and smallholder farmers from a commercialisation point of view.
• Proven track record and high proficiency in project management across various stages of project development, implementation, and delivery. Good knowledge of value chain development work, agricultural business development, market system and commodity supply chains.
• Experience in establishing, developing, and managing coalitions and partnerships.
• Proven leadership skills and management experience, including the ability to support team performance and a genuine desire to coach and mentor.
• Strong IT skills in Microsoft business packages, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills. Fluency in spoken and written English.

We offer you.

A full-time role within an impacting, international organisation – and:

• A service agreement with comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• work-related expenses to be reimbursed by the IDH and to be part of our health (including family), group life and kidnapping insurance policies.

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Your role.

• The position will have a dual reporting responsibilities; technically to the IDH Africa Regional Director, Landscapes and administratively to the Country Director, IDH Nigeria.
• As Senior Program Manager, Oil Palm Program you will facilitate and drive the oil palm program in Nigeria, with a strong focus on Edo state, under the direction of the Regional Landscapes Director.
• Working with other partners, you will convene a host of stakeholders to develop and translate strategic plans and decisions into action and ensure that the program runs smoothly.

Who you are.

• You will be highly organized, result-oriented, self-motivated team player with a strong interest in supply chain sustainability.
• You must be both analytical and practical, curious, able to work independently and a fast learner.
• Confidently working in an environment of diverse stakeholders, you must exhibit a level of flexibility to get things done quickly and thoroughly and without losing sight of the bigger picture.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the IDH NISCOPS program in Nigeria.
• Supervise the design, development, and implementation of the project in collaboration with a partner organization, public and private partners.
• Convene stakeholders, public and private, at the national, Edo state and local levels to dialogs to reach consensus on the future of the various jurisdictions.
• Scope and convene the ground for a sustainable oil palm program, recognizing production, forest protection and thriving livelihood for the community.
• Co-design and develop with partners, efficient monitoring mechanism to capture and measure impacts.
• Maintaining contacts with existing program stakeholders and potentially new stakeholders, with the aim of adopting program consensus on jurisdictional approach to oil palm development in Nigeria.
• Contribute to further development of other commodity programs of IDH in Nigeria

What you bring.

• Advanced Degree in agriculture or business-related fields
• Not less than 12 years of relevant experience in oil palm or similar commodity programs in Nigeria
• Experience forest and natural resource management, biodiversity and climate smart agriculture design and financing of climate smart technologies. Ability and willingness to travel and work in remote locations and interact with local communities.
• Experience working with Nigerian policymakers at federal and state-levels Ability to translate complex ideas and information into simple messages and strategies.
• Experience or high ability to work in a complex, matrixed environment – requiring cultural awareness, and a collaborative nature that knows the benefits of seeking consensus.
• Ability to work with flexibility, entrepreneurship, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a complex team effort. A proven ability to effectively manage and adapt within a changing environment.
• Honest, encourages openness and transparency, demonstrates highest levels of integrity. Experience in managing (sector and/or sustainability) coalitions is an advantage.
• Experience with private sector engagement, preferably in supply chains development or management
• A preference for the candidate to be based in Edo state.