Recruitment at Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA)
Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) is a non-governmental organization that promotes demonstration and widespread adoption of
improved pre-and post-production agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers. SAA assists the host Country agricultural development program through its country program.
SAA Nigeria is seeking to recruit qualified candidates of Nigerian nationals for the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project
(KSADP) to fill the position below:
Job Title: Program Officer (PO), Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Communication (MERC)
Location: Kano
About the Project
- The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) is a 5-year development project that aims to develop agro-pastoral production systems in Kano State. The project directly addresses a fundamental root cause of low animal productivity and conflicts because of the transhumance in Nigeria and particularly in Kano State.
- The project is implemented through five interrelated components: Crop Productivity Enhancement, promotion of improved Postharvest and Agro-processing technologies, promote Public-Private Partnerships in support of pluralistic extension delivery and market access, to develop agricultural extension advisory services and to establish a relevant, efficient and effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Sharing system.
Job Descriptions
- The PO supports the Project Coordinator in planning, implementation, coordination, supervision, and reporting on all MERC
related activities at the state level. - S / he reports to the Project Coordinator on a day-to-day basis.
Required Tasks
- Assist Project Coordinator in developing project documents including monthly/annual work plan and budget of MERC activities.
- Assist in designing survey tools and methodologies (qualitative & quantitative) of MERC and lead data collection, analysis,
documentation, reporting, and information sharing. - Assist in designing and preparing training packages (leaflets, handouts, etc.) for use by staff and others in the field (e.g., survey
enumerators and data entry technicians). - Assist Project Coordinator in planning, and monitoring activities by collecting relevant and reliable data/information.
- Assist the Project Coordinator in writing quarterly, biannual, and annual technical reports.
- PO drafts and submits all reports to Project Coordinator for review and vetting before final compilation into the main report
- Assist in developing publications including policy briefs and journal articles attributed to SAA work and share with key partners and stakeholders.
- Assist in developing project documents including monthly/annual work plan and budget of MERC activities.
- Monitor media outlets regularly and collect the document and disseminate relevant information to staff.
- Provide data and information for publications (Brochures, Newsletters, fact sheets, etc.) and Information on Education and
Communication (IEC) materials. - Help to organize Farmers’ Field Days, Agricultural Shows and Experience sharing tours, and Media Field Days.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisors.
Education Background and Experience
- Minimum requirement: B.Sc. / M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, Management Information Systems, and any related area
- 5 / 7 years of experience respectively
Competences:
- English Proficiency: Level C2 (Especially writing skills), Mali English proficiency should be intermediate
- For Francophone Countries: French Proficiency: Advanced
- Microsoft Office: Advance knowledge of Powerpoint, Word, and Excel
- Ability to use data collection technologies, such as GPS, Arc-GIS,
- Ability to use MS ACCESS, SPHINX, SPSS, Stata or any other data management software
- Knowledge & econometrics and statistical analysis and excellent
- Project implementation skills
Job Title: Program Officer (PO), Post Harvest & Agro Processing (PHAP)
Location: Kano
About the Project
- The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) is a 5-year development project that aims to develop agro-pastoral production systems in Kano State. The project directly addresses a fundamental root cause of low animal productivity and conflicts because of the transhumance in Nigeria and particularly in Kano State.
- The project is implemented through five interrelated components: Crop Productivity Enhancement, promotion of improved Postharvest and Agro-processing technologies, promote Public-Private Partnerships in support of pluralistic extension delivery and market access, to develop agricultural extension advisory services and to establish a relevant, efficient and effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Sharing system.
Job Descriptions
- The Program Officer (PO) PHAP assists the Project Coordinator in carrying out activities that contribute to the implementation of value-chain extension approach to attain the SAA goal.
- S / he complements the job of the Project Coordinator and is tasked with specific technical responsibility such as the promotion of PHAP machines, or developing nutrition-intervention, or other sub-sector of the post-production sub-sector of the value chain.
Required Tasks
- Assist Project Coordinator in the development of the PHAP program (monthly/quarterly/annual) work plan and budget.
- Assist in conducting PHAP needs assessment and contribute to baseline surveys in selected sites in collaboration with other themes.
- Assist Project Coordinator to develop an extension program to promote improved post-harvest handling, storage, and other value-adding technologies, including the development of off-farm agro-processing enterprise and improving nutrition for rural families.
- Specifically, advise on the economic viability of selected technologies
- Assist in Planning, organizing, coordinating, and conducting business-oriented training on economic analysis of PHAP technologies, development and management of agro-enterprises, skills development on market negotiations and product promotion, and basic business skills for farmers and agro-processor, especially women, youth and PwD.
- Contribute to the development of PHAP training materials for use by trainers and farmers along with PHAP Project Coordinator and other members of the team.
- Support PHAP Project Coordinators and the team to implement programs to promote PHAP technologies and agro-processing enterprises, specifically, monitor the economic performances of the promoted technologies and agro-processing enterprises, and advise on using them profitably; identify market opportunities and link farmers and processor to these markets.
- Backstop project activities through regular field visits to provide technical guidance and advice to the extension field staff and other stakeholders on time and collect yield and economic data, analyze and produce field reports.
- Assist the team in conducting technology demonstrations, Farmers’ Field Days, agricultural show, and experience-sharing tours on the use and management of the promoted PHAP technologies.
- Provide feedback to thematic colleagues and partners on technology selection, performance, and impacts through demonstrations, meetings, and reports.
- Assist Project Theme Coordinator in preparing monthly, quarterly biannual, and annual technical reports.
- Participate actively in inter theme activities along the value-chain
- Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisors.
Education Background and Experience
- Minimum requirement: B.Sc. / M.Sc. in Agriculture Economics, Postharvest Management, Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Food Technology, Rural Development, or any other relevant education - 5 / 7 years of working experience on relevant field respectively
Competence:
- English Proficiency: Level C1 (Especially writing skills),
- Microsoft Office: Intermediate knowledge of Powerpoint, Word, and Excel
- Basic knowledge of Econometric and statistical analysis and good reporting skills
- Works with minimum supervision on developing a business plan and analyzing the economic viability of agro- enterprises
Job Title: Program Officer (PO), Business Development (BD)
Location: Kano
About the Project
- The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) is a 5-year development project that aims to develop agro-pastoral production systems in Kano State. The project directly addresses a fundamental root cause of low animal productivity and conflicts because of the transhumance in Nigeria and particularly in Kano State.
- The project is implemented through five interrelated components: Crop Productivity Enhancement, promotion of improved Postharvest and Agro-processing technologies, promote Public-Private Partnerships in support of pluralistic extension delivery and market access, to develop agricultural extension advisory services and to establish a relevant, efficient and effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Sharing system.
Job Descriptions
- The PO BD assists the Project Coordinator in carrying out activities that contribute to the implementation of value-chain
extension approach to attain the SAA goal. - S / he complements the job of the BD Coordinator and is tasked with specific technical responsibilities.
Required Tasks
- In Collaboration with Project Coordinator, leading a team of extension officers, coordinating, supervising and monitoring field-based activities related to the value-chain Development;
- Organize training of the Commodity Associations Trainers (CATs) to ensure that they are efficiently and appropriately trained to undertake the requirements of their responsibilities as trainers and developers. Share Back to office reports with Project Coordinator;
- Support the development and emergence of VC-business services providers to support CAs / FBO development;
- Encourage the establishment of village saving and loan associations and facilitate linkages between finance/credit institutions and farmer groups;
- Train farmers, CAs, and FBOs on contract negotiation and management. Strengthen farmer access to extension services from input suppliers and project partners;
- Assist Project Coordinator to develop Financial packages/models in collaboration with agro-processors, input dealers, traders, and Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) to increase farmers access to credit and other services;
- Assist Project Coordinator to develop and strengthen the market information system, e-extension among key stakeholders in the value chain;
- Build strong farmers / CA / FBOs in villages participating in the value- chain;
- Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisors.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or MA / M.Sc. degree in Agri-Business, Agriculture Economics, Agriculture Extension, Business Management, or in any other related field;
- 5 / 7 years of experience in relevant field respectively
Competences:
- English Proficiency: Level C2 (Especially writing skills)
- English proficiency: Intermediate
- Strong oral, analytical, writing, and presentational skills.
- Microsoft Office: Advance knowledge of Powerpoint, Word, and Excel
- Knowledge of Econometrics and statistical analysis and good reporting skills
- Excellent project coordination and management skills
- Skills on using ICT (GPS and e-extension tools)
- Agri-business skills
Job Title: Program Officer, Crop Productivity Enhancement (CPE)
Location: Kano
About the Project
- The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) is a 5-year development project that aims to develop agro-pastoral production systems in Kano State. The project directly addresses a fundamental root cause of low animal productivity and conflicts because of the transhumance in Nigeria and particularly in Kano State.
- The project is implemented through five interrelated components: Crop Productivity Enhancement, promotion of improved Postharvest and Agro-processing technologies, promote Public-Private Partnerships in support of pluralistic extension delivery and market access, to develop agricultural extension advisory services and to establish a relevant, efficient and effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Sharing system.
Job Descriptions
- The CPE PO assists the Project Coordinator in carrying out activities that contribute to the implementation of crop productivity
within the value chain extension approach to attain SAA goals. - S / he complements the job of the Project Coordinator and is tasked with specific technical responsibilities.
Required Tasks
- Assist the Project Coordinator in planning and budgeting the CPE activities of the organization.
- Assist on CPE needs assessment and contribute to the baseline survey in selected sites in collaboration with other themes.
- Support Project Coordinator to develop and implement training programs to promote productivity-enhancing value-chains in selected sites.
- Support in planning, organizing, coordinating, and conduct training on CPE for Subject Matter Specialists (SMS’s) / Extension agents (EAs) and farmers, especially women. youth & PwDs.
- Support and participate in the selection of project sites for implementation of planned activities, in collaboration with
stakeholders, especially Agricultural Offices. - Ensure that inputs required for the Project activities are timely procured and distributed to the respective project sites.
- Assist in implementing and managing CPE programs including monitoring progress and ensuring timely completion of the program activities.
- Collect data and maintain the database of CPE activities.
- Backstop project activities through regular field visits to provide technical guidance and advice to the extension field staff and other stakeholders on time and collect yield and economic data, analyze and produce field reports.
- Assist in organizing and coordinating value-chain activities such as Farmers’ Field Days, Agricultural Shows and Experience sharing
- Tours at appropriate sites, in collaboration with partner Agricultural Offices and other stakeholders.
- Provide feedback to thematic colleagues and partners on technology selection, performance (agronomic and economic), and impacts through demonstrations, meetings, and reports.
- Assist Project Coordinator in preparing monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual technical reports.
- Participate actively in inter theme activities along the value chain.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisors.
Education Background and Experience
- B.Sc. / M.Sc. in Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, Agriculture Extension, or relevant education.
- 5 / 7 years working experience on relevant field respectively
Competences:
- English Proficiency: Level B2 (Especially writing skills)
- Microsoft Office: Intermediate knowledge of Word and Excel, Powerpoint should be intermediate
- Basic knowledge of Biometry, Experimental Design and Statistical analysis and good reporting skill
- Project implementation skills
- Skills in using ICT (GPS and e-extension tool)
- Basic agri-business skills.
Job Title: Project Coordinator, Agro-pastoral Development Project
Location: Kano
About the Project
- The Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) is a 5-year development project that aims to develop agro-pastoral production systems in Kano State. The project directly addresses a fundamental root cause of low animal productivity and conflicts because of the transhumance in Nigeria and particularly in Kano State.
- The project is implemented through five interrelated components: Crop Productivity Enhancement, promotion of improved Postharvest and Agro-processing technologies, promote Public-Private Partnerships in support of pluralistic extension delivery and market access, to develop agricultural extension advisory services and to establish a relevant, efficient and effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Sharing system.
Job Descriptions
- The Agro-pastoral Project Coordinator (APC) will be in charge of the coordination of the project and its activities.
- S / he will facilitate the effective management of the project according to Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) organization standards and reports to the SAA Country Director.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide management and leadership, guidance, cohesion, accountability, and profile to the project.
- Provide technical leadership to a multidisciplinary team of actors in Agro-pastoral Development project management platforms in Nigeria
- Support planning and coordination of the program and its activities
- Ensure implementation of policies and SAA organizational standard and practices
- Help build positive relations within the team and external parties
- Schedule and organize project’s meetings/events and maintain agenda
- Liaise with Subject Matter Specialists to prepare annual and quarterly work plans and budgets
- Ensure that technical, financial and other required reports are produced in a timely manner and to high-quality standards
- Monitors and supervises the activities of the project program officers.
- Liaise with SMS’s to revise project expectations to meet the changing needs of targeted beneficiaries.
- Oversee daily operations of the project and determines priorities.
- Liaise with the SMS’s to provide technical backstopping to the program officers of the project.
- Analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of the program and develop new methods aimed at greater success.
- Liaise with the SMS’s to provide training to new employees, facilitates educational workshops, meetings, and conferences,
- Interacts with members of the community to help achieve the project’s goals and objectives
- Any other responsibilities assigned to him/her by the SAA Country Director
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- A strong management record together with superior interpersonal skills, and demonstrated performance in creating, motivating and leading diverse teams of highly qualified professionals;
- M.Sc. in Agriculture, Crop Science, Agricultural Economics, Project Management, Business Administration or other relevant fields (s); Ph.D. is an added advantage
- A minimum of 10 years management-related experience in agricultural development in, preferably in the area of the extension
- A proven track record in establishing and managing diverse and effective public / private R&D partnerships for development
- A proven track record of fundraising ability
- Ability and willingness to travel within the country of assignment
- Fluency in English, the working language of Sasakawa Africa Association, is required
- Nigerian Nationals only
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply by using the “Login as candidate” button below and clearly indicate the Job Title in the provided message box with the following non-returnable documents:
- Application letters stating the intent of interest
- Curriculum Vitae with three referees
- Copies of Credentials
Or
Via the postal address below:
The Country Director,
Sasakawa Global, Sasakawa Global 2000,
No. 8, Kura Road, Off Magajin Rumfa,
P.M.B. 5190 – Kano State.
Note
- Candidates will be pre-screened and only shortlisted ones will be invited for an interview.
- Female candidates are encouraged to apply
Application Deadline 27th August 2020.