Job Vacancies at Alan & Grant

Job Description

• The Mechanisation Lead will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to ensure apprioriate selection and adoption of technologies across the service centres within the GI programme
• He/she will work closely with the Value Chain Development Lead, Good Agronomic Practice Lead, and the Agro-Processing Lead and will report to the Lead Delivery Advisor.
• The role will require travel across Nigeria, and potentially to a few international locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake a detailed analysis of the existing national situation, understanding farmers’ needs for machinery, equipment and agricultural services
• Support smooth rollout of programme to secure private investment in service center operators and assembly plants under the Green Imperative, ensuring long-term business viability
• Work with the Good Agronomic Practice Lead to ensure a strong link and market-based feedback between service operators and extension workers on appropriate soil conditions and operations needed on farmland for successful planting and harvesting, defining the starting and finishing dates of the different operations
• Promote the use of appropriate technology for primary processing, value addition, low cost scientific storage and transport of agricultural produce to minimize wastage during post harvesting processes
• Select appropriate tools, implements and machines for energy management across the value chains of priority crops
• Evaluate technical proposal by service centre operators to ensure proposed machinery, equipment and agricultural services is reflective of local economy and farmers’ needs in selected locations.
• Ensure capacity building for farmers by service operators through their business model to ensure effective time working with equipment leased from service centres and equip farmers to choose good tractor/implement combinations that are economical.
• Ensure equipment to be leased by service operators to farmers is appropriate and business model allows for affordable leasing by farmers in priority value chains in key states.
• Understand the functions, operating principles, service procedures and fault diagnosis of tractors and farm machinery, electrical and electronic systems as applied to agricultural machinery
• Conduct research to ensure incorporation of best practices, latest trends and technologies to enable decision-making
• Prepare detailed annual work plans and progress reports on mechanisation component in collboration with the delivery advisors
• Develop recommendations for Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development (FMARD) based on lessons learned to guide deployment / scaling of agricultural mechanisation.

Experience, Qualification and Skills

• At least 8 years experience in the agriculture sector is essential with proven experience in sales and marketing of agricultural machinery and / or vehicles
• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Agriculture, Agriculture Engineering or Agribusiness with some understanding of water management
• Have in-depth knowledge on soil, water, vegetation and compatibility with mechanisation technologies
• Excellent knowledge of latest mechanisation technologies, trends and best practices in the agriculture industry
• Network of contacts with mechanisation technology providers and manufacturers
• Strong business understanding of the dealer environment including knowledge of distribution and technical knowledge of agricultural machinery
• Proven track record in planning, implementing, and promoting farm mechanisation projects, plans or programs
• Strong team leader with proven field operations management experience
• Strong administrative and organization skills, commitment, attention to detail and strong forward planning skills
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision
• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools
• Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.

Job Description

• The Value Chain Development Lead will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to map the priority value chains , understand political economy constraints, identify contraints, gaps and opportunities along the value chain and propose practical, market and government systems solutions to these constraints.
• He/she will work closely with the Head of the Unit, Lead Delivery Advisor and other experts including the Mechanisation, Processing and Good Agronomic Practices Leads; supporting them and key states and ministries alongside the delivery advisors to facilitate the development of the priority value chains and agricultural markets.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Have an in-depth understanding of agricultural market systems
• Develop detailed mapping along the value chains for the selected market systems, including of their political economy
• Conduct analyses of the market systems, including supporting functions (e.g. information, training, finance, inputs) and rules and regulations to identify constraints along the value chain and solve them
• Understand market dynamics – consumers, competition, major players – to inform recommendations made for improvements along the value chain
• Understand drivers for value chain development – system efficiency, product quality, product differentiation, social and environmental standards, business environment (including regulation)
• Implement market-driven sustainable solutions built around local market realities to remedy bottlenecks in the value chain and its underlying constraints that hinder participation
• Develop good monitoring and results measurement system, to measure the success of implemented interventions and provide feedback on what needs to be done further
• Work across different stakeholder groups in the wider market system – BDS providers, government institutions, NGOs
• Understand private agro processing
• Create market linkages with priority placed on local market
• Prepare detailed 5 year and annual work plans and progress reports on value chain components

Requirements
Experience, Qualification and Skills:

• At least 8 years of market-systems and value chain developmentexperience managing complex projects or businesses in areas such aslivelihood diversification, value chain, rural business development and agricultural marketing, preferably in fragile or conflict affected states
• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, agribusiness management, rural development or related field, with postgraduate qualifications preferred
• Experience in conducting politically smart value chain assessments and determining appropriate interventions to enhance agricultural productivity and market access for farmers, agro-pastoralist and pastoralist
• Experience in designing and implementing projects aimed at improving agricultural value chains and linkages with markets
• Strong working experience with key value chain stakeholders (producers, traders, enterprise groups, rural financing institutions/banks, and research/policy associations)
• Strong knowledge and demonstrated ability to nuture and/or build effective partnerships with the stakeholders within and outside the agricultural sector
• Knowledge of the use of ICT and eCommerce in agricultural value chains is desirable
• Excellent communication skills, especially written communications and group facilitation skills.
• Significant Africa experience with a strong preference for Nigerian contextual experience
• Strong administrative and organization skills, commitment, attention to detail and strong forward planning skills
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision
• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools
• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools.
• The role will require travel across Nigeria.

Job Description

• The Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Lead will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to support the NLTP in priority to create effective mechanisms for peace and conflict resolution and to implement the enabling pillars of the NLTP. He/she will work closely with the Livestock Lead.
• The role will require travel across Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities
Peace Building and Conflict Resolution focused on the NLTP priority states in:

• Designing inclusive and participatory stakeholder engagements including training, capacity building and the design of conflict prevention framework with effective peacebuilding tools
• Convening workshops to develop local warning signs and integrated early warning early response systems
• Build capacity of states by designing around mediation and dialogue
• Setting up inclusive committees on land administration and management
• Adopting a multi-stakeholder approach and make recommendation to reduce proliferation of small arms light weapons
• Embarking on an inclusive and participatory consultative process with the aim to develop a justice and security dialogue framework
• Undertaking inclusive consultations and sensitisation on the establishment of dedicated courts for alternative dispute resolution and making criminal justice administration improvements
• Designing an effective compensation framework promotes reparation for those affected by the conflict

Program Development and Coordination:

• Identify technical assistance gaps in implementing the enabling pillars in NLTP pilot states
• Develop TORs for relevant experts and supporting in the development of relevant concepts/proposals and reports and support to pillar specific interventions
• design of proposals in coordination with the PM to delivery on said pillars
• Coordinate implementation of enabling pillars of the NLTP in NLTP pilot states.

Experience, Qualification and Skills

• Minimum of 8 years experience in international development, preferably in community development, peace negotiations, conflict resolution, or conflict transformation
• At least 5 years’ experience in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, or relevant field
• Must have demonstrated high- level leadership, interpersonal, and analytical skills
• Experience with project design, management, implementation and monitoring and evaluation
• Demonstrated experience effectively working with local government structures, senior government officials, civil society actors, private sector entities, and development partners
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse teams and building partnerships
• Demonstrated experience with community mobilization and empowerment, and multi-stakeholder engagement and negotiations
• Demonstrated commitment to gender integration, social inclusion, and building social cohesion
• Strong administrative and organization skills, commitment, attention to detail and strong forward planning skills
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision
• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools
• Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.

Job Description

• The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to develop a monitoring, evaluation and learning system for the Project for Agriculture Coordination and Execution (PACE) secretariat, the NLTP and the GI and ensure that indicators capture the desired outcomes across the three areas.
• In line with advisory MEL practices and approaches, the Advisor is expected to monitor the overall implementation of the programme as articulated in the Partnership Agreement/final proposal.
• The role will require travel across Nigeria, and potentially to a few international locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a suitable, adaptive monitoring, evaluation and learning system for the PACE secretariat, the NLTP and the GI and ensure that indicators capture the desired outcomes across the three areas
• Develop baseline survey / incorporate existing available data to ascertain a baseline from which to measure change in indicators
• Work with the Programme Manager to ensure all internal and external reporting requirements are met with timely, relevant, triangulated and well analysed data
• Work with key implementing states to monitor their progress, evaluate their performance and learn
• Ensure that data collection methodologies used at field level are adapted for each local environment / state, enabling the site-specific data to be captured and analysed
• Ensure that verifiable, quantitative and qualitative data is routinely collected and analysed by the state teams for NLTP and the private center service operators and shared shared with relevant stakeholders
• Ensure that all assessment/evaluation reports promote the integration of recommendations and lessons learnt in project planning
• Seek opportunities for information sharing and learning exchanges with local actors/INGOs to promote coordination at local and national level
• Provide technical supervision of the field-based activities through regular contact, field visits and meetings.
• Work with key funding partners to share and manage learning experiences
• Work with the organization's Advisory MEL team to manage evaluation process to ensure programmatic and strategic relevance. Flag risks, bottlenecks and issues to relevant decision makers
• On a quarterly basis review the theory of change with related results frameworks of the programme for use as a management tool

Requirements
Experience, Qualification and Skills:

• A relevant University degree
• At least 8 years of MEL experience on a programme, complex project or institution
• Ability to develop clear MEL frameworks that result in delivery of outcomes
• Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including data monitoring and planning/participating in evaluations
• An understanding of the agricultural sector and market systems
• Ability to write clear and effective assessment and project reports
• Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity
• Ability to facilitate/conduct technical trainings for staff
• Experience contributing to successful funding proposals for donors would be an asset
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Ability to manage shifting priorities with flexibility and accuracy
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision
• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools
• Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.

Job Description

• The Delivery Advisor will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to support it to establish the secretariat and to ensure it becomes fully functional and effective
• The role will work with and report to the Lead Delivery Advisor as well as working closely with the rest of the team particularly the experts to implement the two flagships at the state level. 
• The role will ensure that at the state level, there are strong management systems and practices in the state teams, identifying any capacity gaps to ensure a highly effective team focused on the implementation and coordination of the two flagship programmes.
• The role will require travel across Nigeria, and potentially to a few international locations such as Brazil.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provision of flexible, adaptive management support to the state teams and to key officials in the Office of the Vice President and State Governments, including through coaching and on-the-job mentoring. This requires building a strong trusted working relationship with the Programme leads at the state level to allow for constructive challenge in a suitable manner, particularly on issues of state team management and effectiveness.
• Support the state programme leads to develop and implement a politically smart strategy to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the flagships.
• Support the state programme leads to build or manage an existing, cohesive and effective team that can become a highly effective implementation and coordination mechanism for these flagships at a state level.
• Ensure operational functioning of the state teams, as well as the clarity of roles, responsibilities, internal coordination and learning so that its staff are fully empowered to deliver.
• Ensure the state offices have the systems needed for effective monitoring and evaluation of the two flagship programmes.
• Help the state programme led to ensure that key decision makers and politicians in the state government have timely information and the structures to collaborate in order to unblock the key bottlenecks to implementation.
• Help state teams to mobilise and align additional resources as needed, including from development partners, for example to provide suitable support for State Governments and other Federal Ministries and agencies to implement as needed.​

Experience, Qualification and Skills

• At least 7 years’ experience in roles that require strong management skills, political smartness strong relationship management, business acumen pro-activeness, going the extra mile and strong team work
• Experience developing competitive proposals and reports that unlock project funding
• A University Degree at a minimum of a Master's level
• In-depth knowledge and experience of Nigeria’s political and government system, ideally both at Federal and State levels.
• Nigerian language skills will be an added advantage
• A strategic mindset and experience in adaptive management, PDIA, etc.
• Strong understanding of and experience implementing and managing complex programmes and projects
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools.
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Relevant experience in the agriculture and/or private sector development space, with in particular an ability to be able to understand investment and agriculture value chain facilitation issues.
• A decent understanding of how governments and businesses operate and how to succeed in them
• Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.

Job Description

• The Agro-Processing Lead will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to help to establish enterprises for agro-processing and provide technical and business development services to service centre operators and cooperatives to ensure they are functional, sustainable, and able to meet food safety and regulatory standards.
• The role will require travel across Nigeria, and potentially to a few international locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop recommendations for how to increase investment in agro-processing in the targeted value chains and states based on knowledge of industry and market needs, present and future to support crop production
• Promote agro-processing investment by the private sector in the targeted value chains and states; including post-harvest handling, aggregation, storage and certification.
• Develop guides / templates for service centre operators on packaging and presentation of products based on industry knowledge
• Support the smooth and effective rolling out of the programme to secure private investors in the service centre operators and assembly plants under the Green Imperative
• Work with industry to understand how post-harvest products can be converted to value
• Ensure a strong market link between agro-processors and input providers (farmers)
• Ensure a supportive business development eco-system for service centres to perform market-oriented processing for value addition of target commodities
• Assist service centre operators, including farmers’ organisations, in identifying and applying appropriate value addition and processing technologies
• Ensure a supportive eco-system of support for strengthenng of community-based groups, associations, cooperatives, and enterprises for processing

Requirements
Experience, Qualification and Skills:

• At least 8 years’ professional experience in agribusiness market systems, agro processing and supply chain management, food safety, preservation and storage, agriculture, and/or fortification including deep private sector experience, including in a manufacturing setting, preferred
• Undergraduate degree in Business, Management, Agriculture, Food Sciences, Nutrition, Food Engineering, or Food technology, Agricultural Economics, or related disciples
• Master’s degree in, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural mechanisation, Business, Management, Finance or related disciplines
• Deep understanding of the agro-processing sector, with knowledge of relevant topics, such as: food production and processing, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), worker safety, finance for growing businesses, and food systems value chain development
• Firm knowledge and experience of Quality management systems certification such as ISO
• Experience setting up agro processing businesses
• Proven track record in providing technical and/or business solutions to agro-processors, with experience implementing or advising on smallholder sourcing models
• Excellent understanding of value chain analysis, development and Good Agricultural Practices
• Strong project management, construction coordination and analytical skills preferred
• Proven track record in planning, implementing, and promoting farm mechanisation projects, plans or programs
• Strong team leader with proven field operations management experience
• Strong administrative and organization skills, commitment, attention to detail and strong forward planning skills
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision
• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools
• Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.

Job Description

• The Good Agronomic Practice (GAP) Lead will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to apply principles of global GAP on soil and cultivation up to harvesting toward smallholder land and production management.
• The role will require travel across Nigeria, and potentially to a few international locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with extension workers, development partners, and private sector actors to develop programs and extension that will educate farmers to apply climate smart agriculture practices and the business of farming.
• Facilitate Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops at national and regional level
• Work with extension, universities and ag-economics experts to develop crop budgets that will be used to advise farmers on which crops to plant based on comparison of return on investment, viability and season of the year
• Facilitate partners to conduct training on:
  • Best practice agricultural skills and techniques, including better ways of using pesticides
  • Integrated soil management techniques to improve soil fertility and function for crop production
  • Pre-production techniques for site selection and land preparation related to the soil, water, chemicals, nutrients, air, waste disposal etc.
  • Production processes related to fertigation and pesticide spray schedules, water and nutrient management (irrigation schedule), planting material, storage and handling of agro- and non-agro chemicals etc.; germination test, plant spacing, weed control, fertilizer application
  • Examine and evaluate options for the introduction  of new processing and storage techniques that reduce post-harvest loss due to spoilage and ensure farmers apply GAP to maintain inherent quality at harvest time
• Examine and evaluate options for the introduction  of  appropriate harvesting, handling, storage and transportation techniques covering timely harvest, equipment, containers and materials, buildings and structures, cleaning and sanitation, animal and pest control, personal hygiene, produce treatment, storage and transport safety and quality during handling, storage and transportation; and
• Develop extension tools and systems that will raise awareness amongst farmers of consumers’ expectations and safety concerns
• Develop extension tools and systems that will Improve access to practical, farmer-friendly information and resources – using factsheets, knowledge hubs and working with the service centre operators
• Work with extension, universities and development partners to facilitate the evaluation of  farming systems assessment in selected areas based on understanding of farm household, community inter linkages, reviews and constraints and assesses potentials
• Provide recommendation for risk reduction with monoculture activities and crop divarication linking to nutrition improvement, value addition and efficient utilisation of farm utilisation
• Prepare and submit period progress reports as required
• Publish regular articles and recommendations to farmers.

Experience, Qualification and Skills

• Minimum of 8 years relevant experience in agronomy in the context of mechanisation, farming systems or related field
• Advanced University Degree in Agronomy or other relevant field
• In-depth principles of global GAP on soil, cultivation up to harvesting, enhancing resilience of small holder farmers, reducing dependence on inputs, cutting edge innovations toward smallholder land management, production management, vegetation, tech transfer, extension services, fertiliser, and disease management
• Practical experience in setting up agronomy and market-led extension systems, training and management of extension officers
• Solid understanding of interconnectivity of crop production and livestock
• Clear understanding of cropping calendar, weather information and climate smart agricultural practices
• Experience in farming system approach and communication systems to farmers
• Knowledge on climatology for agriculture and water resources, soil physics, agricultural environment and forest sciences
• Proven track record in planning, implementing, and promoting farm mechanisation projects, plans or programs
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision
• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools
• Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.