Job Opportunities at Heifer International

Description

Heifer Project International is seeking qualified applicants for the following positions for an anticipated USAID-funded 5-year Feed the Future Nigeria Livestock Development Activity in Nigeria. The Activity will potentially explore practical, cost effective, and multi-stakeholder adaptation solutions to improve livelihoods of poor and vulnerable communities in target states through; i) Improved agricultural productivity, livelihood and agroecosystem resilience through climate-smart practices; ii) Improved ecological and environmental services and functions, including enhanced climate-resilient water and other resource management and supply systems in vulnerable agropastoral communities; iii) Strengthened institutional capacity to reduce risks associated with climate-induced socio-economic losses and livelihood failures in the target states; and iv) Improved and productive livestock systems to improve food security and nutrition by (potentially) improving consumption of animal source/protein foods, providing income generation opportunities, and fostering mutual relationships among targeted households and communities. These positions are contingent upon funding and donor approval.

Function

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Director will oversee and implement the programs’ Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach, MEL plan, and learning agenda. S/he will manage the learning agenda, design and implementation of the MEL system, and the gathering and analysing of, and reporting on data.

RESPONSIBILITIES DELIVERABLES

• Oversee the program’s CLA process in collaboration with the Chief of Party; ensure that the program’s CLA approach is applied with consistency and rigor; work with leadership team to apply program learnings in pursuit of adaptive management.
• Develop annual performance plans, annual MEL plans and implement a monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan across all activity components including identification of process, output, and outcome indicators.
• Develop monitoring activities that capture necessary data to report on program results.
• Work with partners to ensure application of high-quality MEL activities and data collection; oversee partner capacity building as needed.
• Ensure monitoring activities are conducted on schedule and participate in evaluations.
• Communicate information obtained through M&E activities to IREX staff and various external stakeholders, notably donors and partners.
• Be a primary MEL resource to the field office and field personnel; liaise regularly with Heifer’s MEL team in Africa regional office and HQs in the US.
• Ensure data collection process is functioning in all activity locations to provide quality data within deadlines.
• Regularly review data collection processes, perform data quality assessments, and adjust as needed.
• Conduct regular visits to program sites to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of program activities.
• Produce M&E reports for the Chief of Party and donors, as needed.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, Agriculture, Statistics, Economics, or Business Administration.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in managing performance monitoring plans, evaluation, collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach (preferably with knowledge of USAID’s CLA approach), and an understanding of agriculture production, market systems and livelihood programming in Nigeria.
• At least 8 years of practical experience in using monitoring, evaluation and learning activities to inform activity implementation and results.
• Proven success in designing, implementing, and operating program M&E systems from program initiation to closeout stages required.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Familiarity with innovative MEL methods to ensure data collection in areas with minimal connectivity and with participants with minimal literacy skills.
• Experience in designing, managing, and implementing multi-disciplinary and results-based surveys, and developing and refining data collection tools.

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Function:

Heifer Project International is seeking qualified applicants to manage several administrative and management tasks for an anticipated 5-year, $25M-$50M USAID-funded Livestock Activity in Nigeria. The goal of the Livestock Activity is to diversify incomes and increase community resilience by improving the livestock sector (cattle, poultry, goats, sheep, eggs, and dairy) in targeted States in Nigeria. Heifer will be priming this opportunity and has constituted the positioning and proposal design team, who will manage and coordinate Heifer’s response to this opportunity.

The position will play vital roles in coordinating the activities of relevant HQ, regional and Nigeria staff from Human Resources, Finance, Procurement, Program, Grants Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Communications, and Operations. Candidates for the position will be responsible for administrative and operational oversight of the positioning and designing phase of Heifer’s bidding process for the Livestock Development Activity and will serve as liaisons to the team, and corresponding departments within Heifer’s headquarters and regional office. The positions will be vital in providing necessary coordination support to program and operational staff and ensuring compliance with USAID rules and regulations and Heifer’s internal processes during the positioning and bidding phase.

RESPONSIBILITIES DELIVERABLES

• Work with all Heifer’s positioning and design team and ensure that all tasks are accomplished in a timely manner.
• Work with the positioning and design team lead to develop pursuit calendar including pursuit specific deadlines.
• Work with the team to develop and implement a capture plan for this opportunity.
• Facilitate strategy/brainstorming sessions with proposal team.
• Maintain contact with relevant staff on positioning and design strategy inputs as necessary.
• Work with Peoples Department and ensure that timing sourcing of proposed candidates for the proposal by placing adverts, researching database, searching for in‐house experts etc.
• Work closely with HQ legal department and ensure that consortia and technical partners’ pre-teaming agreements, non-Disclosure agreements (NDAs) Teaming, risk assessment questions, pre-award risk are completed in a timely manner.
• Work with program operations and ensure that all relevant consultants are engaged
• Supervise the work of the consultants.
• Any other tasks that may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience working on international development projects managing operational and administrative aspects of complex programs of similar scale, with a particular emphasis on USAID funded projects or cooperative agreements.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant operational field such as, but not limited to human resources, finance/accounting, communications, law, or business administration; master’s degree is preferred for supervisory positions.
• Proven experience in building and effectively working with a diverse team in a complex project.
• Demonstrate good knowledge of USAID rules and regulations and developing and adhering to compliant processes is required; familiarity and a desire to learn with USAID rules and regulations is acceptable.
• Prior experience working with USAID funded projects is a plus.
• Demonstrated management, leadership, decision making and interpersonal skills with host country and expatriate staff, local vendors, and local grantees.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

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Description

Heifer Project International is seeking qualified applicants for the following positions for an anticipated USAID-funded 5-year Feed the Future Nigeria Livestock Development Activity in Nigeria. The Activity will potentially explore practical, cost effective, and multi-stakeholder adaptation solutions to improve livelihoods of poor and vulnerable communities in target states through; i) Improved agricultural productivity, livelihood and agroecosystem resilience through climate-smart practices; ii) Improved ecological and environmental services and functions, including enhanced climate-resilient water and other resource management and supply systems in vulnerable agropastoral communities; iii) Strengthened institutional capacity to reduce risks associated with climate-induced socio-economic losses and livelihood failures in the target states; and iv) Improved and productive livestock systems to improve food security and nutrition by (potentially) improving consumption of animal source/protein foods, providing income generation opportunities, and fostering mutual relationships among targeted households and communities. **These positions are contingent upon funding and donor approval.

Function**

The Livestock Markey System Director will closely collaborate with the Chief of Party to ensure successful technical delivery of project from the market system lens. H/She will be responsible for successfully managing and implementing one or more project components of the proposed activity.

RESPONSIBILITIES DELIVERABLES

• Collaborate with the COP to ensure that the respective activity component(s) achieve the greatest impact toward activity goals and objectives.
• Lead technical delivery of the respective activity component(s) by working closely with project beneficiaries and stakeholders that include private sector umbrella groups, livestock farmer, lead firms, local government representatives.
• Oversee the activity delivery team that will consist of both LTTA/STTA staff and consultants that will be tasked with contributing to the activity goals of increasing sector productivity through collaboration with government/regulatory officials to address enabling environment challenges and linkages with the local and international private sector stakeholders.
• Design and implement strategies to improve livestock productivity, strengthen market linkages, expand access to markets, support the development of diversified livelihoods opportunities, and strengthen input, service, and capacity building networks for livestock and diversified livelihoods activities
• Contribute to the development of project strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, reports, and other deliverables in line with USAID guidelines to achieve objectives.
• Support efforts to collaborate, learn and adapt with internal and external collaborators, adapting program component(s) as needed to optimize results per learning and contextual changes.
• Ensure that the activity component(s), proposed interventions and results are implemented in a timely manner within the approved budget.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with cooperatives, partners, collaborators, rural finance institutions, and any other associated stakeholders in support of the Nigeria Livestock sector.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Business, International Development or other related field is required.
• At least ten (10) years of experience in international development work managing all integrated aspects of complex programs of similar scale, with a particular emphasis on livestock-related programming in Nigeria.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in addressing livestock productivity challenges that include supporting services (financing/certifications), infrastructure, regulatory best practices, value addition etc.
• Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience with USG or other similar development projects focused on market systems and livelihood development, preferably with an understanding of the Nigerian context including gender and youth issues;
• At least Eight (8) years of supervisory experience in building and effectively supervising a diverse team.
• Strong technical experience in market system approach to development in Nigeria.
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and local government, donors, community-based organizations, and the private sector.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required.

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Description

Heifer Project International is seeking qualified applicants for the following positions for an anticipated USAID-funded 5-year Feed the Future Nigeria Livestock Development Activity in Nigeria. The Activity will potentially explore practical, cost effective, and multi-stakeholder adaptation solutions to improve livelihoods of poor and vulnerable communities in target states through; i) Improved agricultural productivity, livelihood and agroecosystem resilience through climate-smart practices; ii) Improved ecological and environmental services and functions, including enhanced climate-resilient water and other resource management and supply systems in vulnerable agropastoral communities; iii) Strengthened institutional capacity to reduce risks associated with climate-induced socio-economic losses and livelihood failures in the target states; and iv) Improved and productive livestock systems to improve food security and nutrition by (potentially) improving consumption of animal source/protein foods, providing income generation opportunities, and fostering mutual relationships among targeted households and communities. **These positions are contingent upon funding and donor approval.

Function**

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will closely collaborate with COP to ensure successful management and representation of the activity. H/She will be responsible for the technical delivery, operational and administrative oversight of the project and will ensure contractual and legal compliance during implementation of activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES DELIVERABLES

• Support the COP in providing technical leadership and direction and defining and implementing activities to achieve the greatest impact toward project goals and objectives.
• Provide support to programmatic teams, including identifying and promoting clear communications on budget management and programmatic activities, compliance, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and communication.
• In coordination with the COP, oversee budgets to ensure all expenditures follow Heifer and donor policies and regulations as well as within the scope of the program budget.
• Contribute to the development of strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, reports, and other deliverables in line with USAID guidelines to achieve objectives.
• Support efforts to collaborate, learn and adapt with internal and external collaborators, adapting program as needed to optimize results per learning and contextual changes.
• Ensure that the activities and results are implemented in a timely manner within the approved budget.
• Ensure quality activity implementation and employ use of project M&E tools and ensure compliance with donor requirements.
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, learning, and adaptation and empowers staff to take responsibility.
• Assist COP in maintaining active, cooperative, and collaborative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions.
• Serve as Acting COP in absence of COP and represent Heifer with partners and key stakeholders.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in agriculture, economics, or business administration.
• Demonstrated expertise and a minimum of five (5) years in international development work managing all integrated aspects of complex programs of similar scale, with a particular emphasis on livestock-related programming
• Past DCOP experience in managing large to medium (preferably $10 million and above) in livelihood, agricultural development activities with knowledge of resilience and market system programming in the Nigerian context preferred.
• At least three (3) years of field-based work in a conflict-prone and/or active insurgency environment.
• Strong technical experience in market system approach to development.
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across activities utilizing strong communication and interpersonal skills, with evidence of the ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations (government, private sector, donor counterparts, implementing partners, other activities, NGOs).
• Prior experience working in Nigeria is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.

go to method of application »

Description

Heifer Project International is seeking qualified applicants for the following positions for an anticipated USAID-funded 5-year Feed the Future Nigeria Livestock Development Activity in Nigeria. The Activity will potentially explore practical, cost effective, and multi-stakeholder adaptation solutions to improve livelihoods of poor and vulnerable communities in target states through; i) Improved agricultural productivity, livelihood and agroecosystem resilience through climate-smart practices; ii) Improved ecological and environmental services and functions, including enhanced climate-resilient water and other resource management and supply systems in vulnerable agropastoral communities; iii) Strengthened institutional capacity to reduce risks associated with climate-induced socio-economic losses and livelihood failures in the target states; and iv) Improved and productive livestock systems to improve food security and nutrition by (potentially) improving consumption of animal source/protein foods, providing income generation opportunities, and fostering mutual relationships among targeted households and communities. **These positions are contingent upon funding and donor approval.

Function**

The Livestock Market Systems Coordinators, based at the State level, will become familiar with the livestock sector; develop an effective and participatory network of livestock stakeholders, including public and private sector livestock value chain participants; conduct needs assessments; support extension services, report on activity implementation; and identify opportunities for the project to facilitate livestock agribusiness finance and investment transactions. The Livestock Market System Coordinators will also communicate and coordinate with implementing partners, the other State-based stakeholders as well as with the activity components Team Leaders, M&E Specialist, and Strategic Communications team.

RESPONSIBILITIES DELIVERABLES

• Represent the activity at the State level.
• Advise the Livestock Market System Director and Component Leads on state-specific challenges and opportunities for improvements in the livestock space, and opportunities for investment.
• Serve as the primary lead generator for activity interventions in the State.
• Contribute to drafting Terms of References, annual workplans, Weekly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Organize forums and meetings, including but not limited to livestock programming reform focus groups, and livestock stakeholder, with Nigerian government officials, business associations, business development service providers, investors, financial institutions, and SME’s at the State level.
• Ensure stakeholders and beneficiaries are aware of and interested in collaborating with the activity, resulting in the project’s ability to capitalize on any shared efficiencies.
• Meet with relevant stakeholders to develop a strong understanding of the legal, regulatory, and other barriers constraining investment in the livestock value chain, and in association with the Enabling Environment Unit, actively contribute to the development of a clear and coherent vision for the reduction of these barriers.
• Closely coordinate with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to collect and utilize data to adaptively manage the effort and report on project achievements.
• Backstop and support domestic and international short-term specialists.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Animal Science, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Finance, or another related field.
• At least (5) years of relevant, progressively responsible experience is preferred.
• Experience in the livestock sector and and familiarity with the National Livestock transformation plan (NLTP).
• Proven track record in developing, analysing, and implementing projects focused on agribusinesses, agricultural finance, and agricultural value chains.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating private-sector investments and familiarity with the workings of government at the State level.
• Experience in overseeing and working with short-term domestic and international specialists.
• Able to maintain a rigorous focus on project deliverables, indicators, and results, including being able to engage stakeholders to capitalize on any shared efficiencies.
• Experience with Monitoring and Evaluation or MEL processes; and
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (knowledge of local languages is an advantage).