Jobs at Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA)

RFP Number:    RFP_2023_01.002_GFSI Zecool

Description:    Zecool Internal Audit on GFSI compliance
For:    Feed the Future (FTF) Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity
Funded By:    USAID 72062019C00001
Implemented By:    CNFA
Point of Contact    Asabi Anthony
Procurement Officer
28A Danube Street, off IBB Way, Maitama, Abuja
aasabi@ag-invest.org

Section 1: Introduction, Technical Background, and Scope of Work

1.1 Introduction: CNFA is a US-based nonprofit nongovernmental organization (NGO) that works to stimulate economic growth and improve rural livelihoods by empowering the private sector through five core capabilities: (1) Productivity, Food Security and Nutrition; (2) Input Supply and Farm Services; (3) Economic Resilience and Rapid Recovery; (4) Value Chain Development; and (5) Volunteer Technical Assistance. CNFA assists smallholders in increasing household-level food security and nutrition through improved agricultural practices, the introduction of new varieties, diversification of crop production, food preservation and storage, development of farmer-based organizations (FBOs) and strengthened linkages to markets.

The five-year USAID Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity (hereafter referred to as “the Activity”), implemented by CNFA with Connexus Corporation and J.E. Austin Associates as sub-contractors, aims to strengthen the business enabling environment to promote private sector investment in agriculture. To achieve this goal, the Activity focuses on four interrelated components: improving the enabling environment for agricultural sector growth; broadening access to finance by mitigating the credit risks of agribusinesses; promoting and facilitating investment opportunities for agribusinesses to expand and scale up operations; and sustainably enhancing the performance of agribusiness micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). In line with the U.S. and Nigerian governments’ commitment to growing the non-oil-based economy, these efforts will increase the depth, breadth, dynamism, and competitiveness of Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.

In line with facilitating access to finance, the Activity (Connexus) will provide technical support to Agribusiness lead firms who require assistance that will directly or indirectly impact their ability to secure finance and improve their organization’s capabilities. This will also positively impact certain key performance indicators of the Activity

Zecool Investment Company Ltd (Zecool) is an agribusiness company located in Kudenda, Kaduna. The firm specializes in sourcing, processing, storage, and repackaging of grains (maize, soybean, cowpea, and rice). In a quest for expansion and growth, Zecool has sought to become a registered supplier of maize and soybean to Nestle foods Plc. This will require them to expand their cash outlay to aggregate the required quantity requested by Nestle and be food safety compliant.

Based on this Zecool has requested the Activity to support them in the quest for GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) Certification for Internal Audit Compliance to be able to meet the requirement requested by Nestle and be food safety compliant.

Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their offers are received by CNFA(Connexus) in accordance with the instructions, terms, and conditions described in this RFP. Failure to adhere to instructions described in this RFP may lead to disqualification of an offer from consideration.

CNFA(Connexus) will consider proposals in response to this RFP from eligible local Independent Consultants and Firms. International firms/individuals are not eligible to apply for this assignment. 

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RFP Number:    RFP_2023_01.001_Hulhulde Inventory Support
Description:    Hulhulde Inventory Management System Support
For:    Feed the Future (FTF) Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity
Funded By:    USAID 72062019C00001
Implemented By:    CNFA
Point of Contact:    Asabi Anthony Procurement Officer
28A Danube Street, off IBB Way, Maitama, Abuja
aasabi@ag-invest.org

Section 1: Introduction, Technical Background and Scope of Work

1.1 Introduction: CNFA is a US-based nonprofit nongovernmental organization (NGO) that works to stimulate economic growth and improve rural livelihoods by empowering the private sector through five core capabilities: (1) Productivity, Food Security and Nutrition; (2) Input Supply and Farm Services; (3) Economic Resilience and Rapid Recovery; (4) Value Chain Development; and (5) Volunteer Technical Assistance. CNFA assists smallholders in increasing household-level food security and nutrition through improved agricultural practices, the introduction of new varieties, diversification of crop production, food preservation and storage, development of farmer-based organizations (FBOs) and strengthened linkages to markets.

The five-year USAID Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity (hereafter referred to as “the Activity”), implemented by CNFA with Connexus Corporation and J.E. Austin Associates as sub-contractors, aims to strengthen the business enabling environment to promote private sector investment in agriculture. To achieve this goal, the Activity focuses on four interrelated components: improving the enabling environment for agricultural sector growth; broadening access to finance by mitigating the credit risks of agribusinesses; promoting and facilitating investment opportunities for agribusinesses to expand and scale up operations; and sustainably enhancing the performance of agribusiness micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). In line with the U.S. and Nigerian governments’ commitment to growing the non-oil-based economy, these efforts will increase the depth, breadth, dynamism, and competitiveness of Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.

Hulhulde International Ltd is an indigenous Nigerian company involved in the processing of rice in Zaria town of Kaduna State. They are seeking to access funds from a bank for the aggregation and processing of Paddy for their Rice mill. As one of the Activity’s objectives is to support agribusinesses with systems and structures to enhance their agribusiness performances, Hulhulde International Ltd requested the support and partnership of the Activity for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The ERP system would help the company to create the needed mechanism for the effective management of its inventory, procurement, and associated operations. It is expected that this would improve the overall business competitiveness of the company, promotes efficiency in its operations, and contribute to its sustainable profitability.

Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their offers are received by CNFA(Connexus) in accordance with the instructions, terms, and conditions described in this RFP. Failure to adhere to instructions described in this RFP may lead to disqualification of an offer from consideration.

CNFA(Connexus) will consider proposals in response to this RFP from eligible local Independent Consultants and Firms. International firms/individuals are not eligible to apply for this assignment.  

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The five-year USAID Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment activity aims to strengthen the business enabling environment to promote private sector investment in the agriculture sector. To achieve this goal, the activity focuses on three interrelated components: improving the ease of doing business in the agricultural sector; broadening access to finance by mitigating the credit risks of agribusinesses; and promoting investment opportunities for agribusinesses to expand and scale up operations. In line with the U.S. and Nigerian governments’ commitment to growing the non-oil-based economy, these efforts will increase the quality, quantity, market access, and diversification of Nigeria’s agribusiness sector.

Position Descriptions

• Under the supervision of the Director of Finance and Administration, the HR Officer supports all Human Resource management of the office to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the Agribusiness Investment Activity’s office headquarters in Abuja.
• She / he will play a pivotal role in ensuring adherence to policies, procedures, and controls, including recruitment and hiring, personnel file management, resolving human resources-related conflicts, and maintenance of a field-level HR Manual, among other responsibilities.
• The HR Officer is also tasked with ensuring all human resource-related operations are executed in accordance with CNFA policy, USAID rules and regulations, and host-country regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities
The main duties of the HR Officer include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee all human resources operations, including recruitment, hiring, employee onboarding, staff orientation, performance reviews, exit interviews and disciplinary actions in compliance with USAID rules and regulations and local labor laws.
• Oversee contract management process for short-term consultants in compliance with CNFA policies.
• Conduct vetting, SAM checks, document verification, and reference checks for all new employees and short-term consultants.
• Oversee personnel file management in hard copy and electronic for all long-term and short-term project staff. Ensure all personnel records are maintained in a confidential manner.
• Ensure that employee contracts are in line with Nigerian Labor Law and Basic Conditions of Employment Acts.
• Liaise with the Department of Labor or any other relevant Government of Nigeria authorities on labor or other human resource issues.
• Train supervisors regarding conducting performance evaluations of staff members in their units and monitor to ensure compliance with the process.
• Mitigate and resolve human resources conflicts and issues, seeking assistance and guidance from the Director of Finance and Administration or other senior staff members as needed.
• Assist in the coordination of Activity meetings events, trainings, travel authorization documents and accommodation logistics.
• Monitor leave of all staff, including vacation, holidays, sick, bereavement, etc.
• Manage the contracting process for short term consultants.
• Update and maintain a project-level HR manual.
• Provide support to Components & STTAs for accomplishment of their administrative requirements.
• Assist with filing, reception, and other administrative duties, as requested.
• Assist, when requested, in Project events planning, by creating and sending invitation emails to guests, tracking RSVPs and following up by email and phone on attendees.
• Undertake other assignments or tasks at the request of the Chief of Party or the Director of Finance and Administration.

Job Requirements
Qualifications:

• Must be legally allowed to work in Nigeria.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
• 4+ years of relevant experience and progressive responsibility in human resource management the mid-level of an organization.
• Experience in HR in donor-funded projects.
• Experience with USAID projects, including a demonstrated understanding of applicable personnel-related USG regulations is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting wage and other HR-related market surveys.
• Proficiency in working effectively as part of a team is required.
• Detail-oriented.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work in a highly dynamic environment.
• Customer-service oriented.
• Proficiency using Microsoft office suite, and other relevant software.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Knowledge of local languages is an advantage.