Program Technical Advisor at Corus International

Job Brief

• The Program Technical Advisor will lead the development and implementation of zonal work and will ensure strong local stakeholders' engagement.
• The Program Technical Advisor will provide technical guidance, capacity strengthening and supervise Agriculture extension Officers in each zone.

Position Summary

• The Program Technical Advisor will report to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP).

Requirements
Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics or relevant field or equivalent experience.
• 5 - 7 years demonstrated experience in cocoa field operations - nursery to harvesting.
• Must have technical expertise in the cocoa value chain, Natural Resources Management, cocoa traceability system & cropping.
• Practical field experience in managing farmers / out-grower / contract farming, business development services, and agricultural extension services.
• Proven experience in donor funding, NGOs, and cocoa certification/sustainability program.
• Understanding of cocoa seedlings production, crop management, and buyback of produce.
• Knowledge on agro-climate, soil fertility, disease & pest control, farmers organization strengthening.
• Experience with market development approaches, such as cocoa and agricultural value-chain development (linking producers to markets) programming.
• Has previous experience in the cocoa value chain, youth and women enterprise, cocoa traceability system, project management and related fields.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the values ​​of Corus and be able to model these values ​​in dealings with colleagues and partners: accompaniment, gratitude, vocation, stewardship and innovation. Understanding and commitment to development and agriculture in Nigeria.
• Demonstrated ability to use analytical skills, meet deadlines, and work on multiple projects simultaneously is preferred.
• Experience in developing cross-cultural materials and information for promotional purposes.
• Strong community and cross-cultural skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs.
• Knowledge of visa procedures for international staff preferred.
• Ability to work independently as well as coordinate with teams.
• Energetic, organized team player with strong problem-solving skills.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment:

• The duties of the job require regular attendance of at least 5 days/week. The employee must be available to work outside normal office hours or on weekends as required. Corus has a hybrid work policy, allowing 50 percent of work to be done remotely.
• This position must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in different locations, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.
• Follow Corus Code of Conduct helping to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation, and trafficking in persons.
• Adhere to the Organizational Core Values of Inclusion, Disruptive, Interconnected and Agile.

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Slot: 5

About the Role

• Lutheran World Relief (LWR), member of Corus International is seeking applications for the recruitment of Agricultural Extension Officer (AEO) for its TRACE project, based in Akure,- Ondo state, Ikom,- Cross River, Osun, Ekiti and Abia states Nigeria.

Job Brief

• The Agriculture Extension Officer will be supporting the Government of Nigeria agriculture extension agents, farmers, and input suppliers on the range of products and services available for uptake in the cocoa sector.
• The AEO will provide technical support, training, and monitoring support.

Position Summary

• The Agricultural Extension Officer will report to the Program Technical Advisor and overall supervise by the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP).

Job Brief 

• The Administrative Assistant will support daily office operations by ensuring the timely, transparent, and cost-effective procurement and delivery of goods and services.
• The role is responsible for assisting in procurement processes, logistics coordination and fleet management.
• In addition, the Administrative Assistant will handle tasks like preparation for scheduled meetings, managing physical correspondence, maintaining records, and assisting staff.
• Oversee supplies, coordinate events, and often provide general support to other employees and departments to ensure efficient workflow.

Responsibilities
General administration:

• Support the Office Manager to ensure office machines and equipment are maintained.
• Availability of Office supplies and stationeries. This includes distribution and recording.
• Monitor the supply and usage of the generator consumables. (Diesel and engine oil)
• Manage the filing of documents and retrieving.
• Relieve any of the officer as when required.

Procurement/Logistics Support:

• Assist in collecting and reviewing purchase requisitions from various units.
• Support in preparing draft RFQs and RFPs for review.
• Solicit quotations from approved suppliers and prepare bid analysis or comparison sheets.
• Ensure all procurement activities follow organizational and donor procurement guidelines.
• Support in maintaining the vendor database.
• Support in preparing procurement reports, tracking purchase status, and updating the procurement tracker.
• Assist with the processing of vendors payment and liaise with the finance team to ensure timely payment processing to vendors.

Fleet and Travel Management:

• Assist in scheduling vehicle use and maintaining transport request records.
• Track vehicle movement, mileage, and fuel consumption to ensure efficiency.
• Support in organizing routine vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• Support in coordinating domestic and international travel for staff, consultants, and visitors in line with the
• organization's travel policy.
• Maintain relationships with travel agents, airlines, and hotels to ensure competitive rates and reliable service.
• Support teams with logistics planning for training, workshops, or field missions.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Other Duties:

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Supervisory:

• This role has no direct reports.

Requirements
Educational qualification & Experience:

• First Degree in Business Administration, Social Sciences or related field.
• 1-3 years Administrative/Procurement experience preferably in the INGO sector.
• Experience in documentation, filing and database management.
• Experience in using Microsoft office and other relevant software.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with international faith-based organizations working in the relief and development sector and an understanding of how these organizations operate and what motivates them.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with proven experience.
• Collaborative, team-oriented work style, with self-motivation and drive to get the job done with little supervision.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• The physical and mentally stable/fit.
• Ability to learning new tasks, comprehending, and retaining information, completing tasks independently.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• This position must be able to travel as required for standard domestic purposes.
• Must have authorization to work in the country of assignment.

As a member of the Corus Family, each employee is expected to:

• Foster a work environment where everyone feels valued and included.
• Support employees' evaluation and promotion processes based on skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all members of Corus family, stakeholders in general, and particularly for the communities we serve.
• Follow Corus Code of Conduct helping to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation, and trafficking in persons.
• Adhere to the Organizational Core Values.

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About the Role

• Lutheran World Relief (LWR), member of Corus International is seeking applications for the recruitment of Agricultural Extension Officer (AEO) for its TRACE project, based in Akure,- Ondo state, Ikom,- Cross River, Osun, Ekiti and Abia states Nigeria.

Job Brief

• The Agriculture Extension Officer will be supporting the Government of Nigeria agriculture extension agents, farmers, and input suppliers on the range of products and services available for uptake in the cocoa sector.
• The AEO will provide technical support, training, and monitoring support.

Position Summary

• The Agricultural Extension Officer will report to the Program Technical Advisor and overall supervise by the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP).

Job Description

• Provide technical leadership and guidance in planning and implementation of TRACE activities of project location in collaboration with project partners and relevant government agencies.
• Mobilize farmer groups to get into & cocoa production/traceability system and ensure group social cohesion, organization, and management.
• Provide technical support to lead farmers to cascade training using the developed curriculum package of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) for Cocoa cropping and advise/ train the growers to adopt the same to ensure increased yield & productivity.
• Support cocoa producer groups to self-organize, increase their financial, technical, and organizational skills, access financial services, and establish Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) and products.
• Support and Monitoring of weather, cocoa traceability & other developments to update production estimates and assess the impact of various scenarios on yields. Input distribution and credit accounting, if needed.
• Build and sustain reliable LWR's Producer Enterprise Agent (PEA) and cocoa producer groups/associations based in the catchment areas (Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Abia, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States) and ensure a sustainable supply of high-quality products for private sector partners (Cocoa trading companies/processors).
• Support quality cocoa seedling production through commercial seedling producers (youth & women enterprise) and participating farmers.
• Support the private extension agents from the cocoa trading companies to build an operational team to run the farming out-grower program - Scheduling operations as well as resources and monitoring the activities in the field to achieve production and buyback targets.
• In coordination with the MEL Director and MEL analysts, ensure timely and quality capturing of MEAL data on TRACE activities and project components.
• Prepare monthly update, quarterly, and annual work plans, budgets, and technical reports on project activities as part of the overall program planning and reporting cycle.
• Represent LWR in cocoa forums.
• Provide effective management, coaching, and support to Project lead farmers, LWR Producer Enterprise Agents, Producer groups, and intermediaries (input suppliers, distributors, transporters, and Licensed Buying Agents (LBA)s).
• Facilitate and implement a schedule of post-training field inspections to monitor training quality and adoption of training.
• Ensure that TRACE related activities are implemented in accordance with LWR standards and approaches.

Key Deliverables

• Improved productivity and increased production volumes for farmers
• Management of out-grower, LWR Producer Enterprise Agents (PEA) and traceability program and volume of buyback from the farmers.
• Facilitate the distribution and monitor improved planting material, which includes both hybrid and clonal material.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics or relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Experience with market development approaches, such as cocoa and agricultural value-chain development (linking producers to markets) programming.
• Has previous experience in the cocoa value chain, youth and women enterprise, cocoa traceability system, project management and related fields.
• Must have expertise in the cocoa value chain, Natural Resources Management, cocoa traceability system & cropping, and 3 - 5 years of experience managing farmer / out-grower / contract farming, business development services, and agricultural extension services.
• Proven experience in donor funding, NGOs, and cocoa certification/sustainability program.
• Understanding of cocoa seedlings production, crop management, and buyback of produce.
• Knowledge on agro-climate, soil fertility, disease & pest control, farmers organization strengthening.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular attendance of at least 5 days/week. The employee must be available to work outside normal office hours or on weekends as required. Corus has a hybrid work policy, allowing 50 percent of work to be done remotely.
• This position must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in different locations, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Zero Tolerance to Abuse:
As a member of the Corus Family, each employee is expected to:

• Help to develop and maintain an environment that welcome and develop a diverse workforce.
• Foster a work environment where everyone feels valued and included.
• Support employees' evaluation and promotion processes based on skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all members of Corus family, stakeholders in general, and particularly for the communities we serve.
• Follow Corus Code of Conduct helping to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation, and trafficking in persons.
• Adhere to the Organizational Core Values of Inclusion, Disruptive, Interconnected and Agile.

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Job Brief

• The Finance and Administration Manager at site leads the finance and administration team to ensure quality monitoring, management, and reporting on all USDA project funds, and oversees administration, logistics and office management for the implementation of the Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystems (TRACE) Project in Nigeria.
• S/he will ensure each financial or administrative transaction complies with terms and conditions of the donor, in compliance with US Government rules and regulations, meets local tax laws and other regulations, follows Corus's policies and procedures, and is in alignment with approved budgets.
• S/he provides support for the Finance and Administration Director.
• Candidates should have strong experience in the areas of: grant management accounting and audits, as well as good knowledge of US Government regulations.

Position Summary

• The Finance and Administration Manager, based in Ikom, Cross River State, will be responsible for financial management and compliance of the project.
• The position will ensure all records are audit ready, establish cost and financial fiscal controls, and support the Finance and Administration Director.

Key Result Areas

• To ensure proper accounting of Corus assets and liabilities in accordance with accepted accounting practice and US government law.
• To ensure that systems and procedures relating to office administration, procurement, and human resources management are in place and implemented in accordance with Corus policies and procedures within the site.

Roles and Responsibilities
Financial Management and Accounting:

• Support to develop annual budgets, activity budgets, and partner budgets for approval.
• Ensure all project costs are reasonable, allowable and allocable to the project.
• Monitor project budgets, spending, and communicate issues and make recommendations for action.
• Ensure all Corus and donor financial management, accounting, travel and other relevant policies and procedures are followed.
• Ensure that issues relating to taxes are addressed and all taxes are paid when due
• Ensure that transactions and reconciliations are properly recorded working in collaboration with the finance and administration team by the monthly deadline.
• Prepare timely fund requests and reports.
• Manage required internal and external audit procedures. Oversee timely and thorough sub-recipient financial support and monitoring are completed, including budget preparation and management, fund requests, compliance review, report submission and other relevant actions.

Administrative Functions:

• Ensure sub-office leases are up to date.
• Oversee the procurement of project goods and services according to LWR policy and donor regulations at the site. Verify the quality of goods and services delivered and that vendors are paid according to their contracts.
• Make sure that all property inventories accurately reflect the status of LWR assets at all times.
• Oversee monthly payroll functions. Ensure administrative and residence formalities are in order for expatriate project staff.
• Supervise support to sub-grantees to ensure their administrative functions complies with donor requirements, especially procurement and human resource management.

Supervisory:

• Under the supervision of the Finance and Administration Director will provide leadership and technical supervision related to finance and administrative functions of the project at sub-offices.
• Provide day-to-day supervision to the Finance Assistant and the Administration Officer with indirect, remote supervision of Finance and Administration Officers in sub-offices.
• Conduct performance planning and annual evaluations of direct reports.
• Identify areas of growth for and provide staff development opportunities to direct reports.

Education & Experience

• Graduate Degree in Accounting, Finance and / or Business Administration (BAC + 4, or higher).
• Formal accounting certificate demonstrating attainment of top level of accounting skill.
• 5-8 years of experience for financial management and administration of development projects, with at least 2 years' experience managing large US government funded projects.
• Experience with accounting/finance in an overseas field office on development projects with budgets over $15 million dollars.
• Good working knowledge of accounting software/package.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the values ​​of Corus and be able to model these values ​​in dealings with colleagues and partners: accompaniment, gratitude, vocation, stewardship and innovation. Understanding and commitment to development and agriculture in Nigeria.
• Extensive knowledge of US Government policies, procedures, procurement practices, rules, regulations, and reporting requirements. In particular, familiarity with cost accounting practices and OMB Guidance for Grants and Agreements, 2 CFR 200.
• Proven management/supervisory of field teams in financial capacity.
• Knowledge of and experience with accounting software packages and related report writing modules. Working proficiency with databases, accounting software, and Microsoft Office.
• General knowledge of tax laws and local financial, accounting, and human resource practices.
• Attention to detail, strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel to project sites within Nigeria at least 25% of one's time.