Latest Vacancies at The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Job Description

• The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Access to Finance Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Rural Resilience Project in northern Nigeria.
• Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project and the selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with commercial banks, Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), and Village/Community Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and provide technical support and guidance to these institutions as well as smallholders owned Cooperatives, agribusinesses operators and other value chain actors
• Identify and document financial constraints in agribusiness clusters and value chain and develop strategies to address them
• Building on the capacity gap(s) identified for SACCOs and VSLAs, lead the implementation of capacity building support designed to improve their lending and savings products to the agricultural sector; improve financial & risk management capacity
• Pilot solutions and innovations practices for agro-inputs and small equipment financing, agricultural production risk management, supply chain financing, Income generating activities financing, chain upgrading financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
• Develop and deliver trainings programs and technical assistance to financial institutions as well as clusters and chain actors
• Support the identification, appointment, and training of community-based trainers (CBTs) and/or village agents to guide formation of VSLA and SACCO groups and offer technical assistance to ensure sustainability.
• Any other tasks that may be assigned.

Required Skills

• Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration or other related field
• Up-to-date knowledge of the agricultural finance environment in West Africa
• Resourceful, innovative and ready to test new approaches
• Result-orientation and ability to take initiatives under minimal supervision and reach targets
• Ability to strictly meet deadlines
• Team player, at ease in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment
• Professional fluency in English
• Competency in the use of computers and MS Office software, including Word, Powerpoint, and Excel.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, including in one or several of the following areas: small and medium rural enterprise finance, agricultural value chain finance, microfinance, business development services, financial institutions.

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Job Description

• The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Conservation Agriculture/Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Rural Resilience Project in northern Nigeria.
• Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project and the selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Key Responsibilities

• Determine the integration of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices and technologies with farmers and key stakeholders, such as donors and development partners
• Identify CSA outcomes on sustainable agricultural production, adaptation and mitigation; and
• Access to adoption of CSA in Nigeria and suggest ways to strengthen early warning systems as part of the program’s sustainability and exit strategy plan
• Plan, implement, and monitor agricultural measures
• Manage and train local staff on conservation agriculture and other important methodologies
• Support the planning and drafting of new projects in the fields of agriculture and food security
• Identifies areas for improvement of agricultural production and marketing methods in co-operation with local partners
• Contributes to the country development and strategies, actively participates in strategic discussions and keeps herself/ himself informed of the overall organizational topics
• Any other tasks that may be assigned

Required Skills

• Master's Degree or higher Degree in Economics, Agronomy, or related field of study
• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with government counterparts, donors, and other key stakeholders and partners
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Ability to successfully recruit, train, develop, motivate and manage staff
• Professional fluency in English
• Competency in the use of computers and MS Office software, including Word, Powerpoint, and Excel

Required Experience

• 8+ years of experience in managing projects that focus on agricultural production, value chain development, market linkages, food security, etc. with practical experience in Nigeria
• Experience in conservation agriculture and providing training guided by those principles
• Experience in transferring climate smart agriculture techniques to smallholder farmers
• Previous experience managing USAID projects is preferred