Massive Recruitment at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) of the United Nations is desirous of using part of the Credit to engage the services of a qualified candidate for the management and implementation of the FGN / IFAD-VCDP (VCDP AF1) programme in the nine (9) participating states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger and Ogun.

Background

• The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) is implementing a three-year IFAD-assisted Value Chain Development Programme Additional Financing (VCDP AF1), as a follow-up to the successful six (6) – year Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), in nine (9) participating states (Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger and Ogun).
• The Programme’s goal is: “Rural Poverty reduced, food security increased and accelerated economic growth achieved.” The VCDP, which was approved for an IFAD loan of USD74.4 million in 2012, aimed to directly improve the livelihood of approximately 17,480 households (15,000 smallholder farmers, 1,680 processors and 800 traders) and to benefit indirectly approximately 22,000 households.
• In 2018, IFAD approved an Additional Financing (AF1) of USD 89.1 million to:
  • Expand VCDP activities to three (3) new states-Enugu, Kogi and Nasarawa – and a total of 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) from 30 LGAs at the Mid-term Review (MTR) of VCDP, in the entire nine states; and
  • Support the mainstreaming of issues that were not considered in the design of VCDP, consistent with national and IFAD policies; climate-smart agricultural practices; conflict mitigation as the conflict increases between farmers and herdsmen for land resources: nutrition and financial inclusion.

• The VCDP-AF1 focuses on enhancing the productivities and profitability of smallholder farmers (who cultivate not more than 5ha of land under rice/cassava) and mall/medium-scale agro-processors (with the processing capacity of an average of 2MT/day for cassava and 4MT/day for rice) by improving their access to markets, and capacity to increase yield as well as add value to locally produced raw materials through improved processing and packaging.
• The programme is being implemented through three mutually reinforcing components; Agricultural Market Development, Smallholder Productivity Enhancement and Programme Management and Coordination.

Consequently, an Expression of Interest (EOI) is hereby solicited from qualified and interested candidates to participate in the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP AF1) in the positions below:

Job Title: Assistant Rural Infrastructure Engineer (ARIE)

Location: Abuja
Details of the Contract: Two-year contract, renewable based on satisfactory performance acceptable to FGN and IFAD

Job Summary

• The Assistant Rural Infrastructure Engineer (ARIE) will work under the direct supervision of the Project Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE).

Main Responsibility

• The Assistant Rural Infrastructure Engineer (ARIE) will be assisting the Project Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE) in all aspects of rural infrastructure development activities related to smallholder farmers.

Specific Duties

• Liaise with State/L GAS Engineering staff and other development partners) and include them throughout all rural infrastructure development activities to ensure sustainability, ownership and synergy among stakeholders.
• Mobilise relevant beneficiaries around each rural infrastructure development activity for sustainability and increased ownership
• Support in executing engineering/architectural surveys/designs, specifications (technical and socio-environmental) and cost estimates for rural infrastructure (roads, storage/market/agro-processing facilities, land development activities, small irrigation activities).
• Contribute to the preparation of manuals/guidelines and the execution of capacity-building activities in the area of operation and maintenance for the sustainability of all rural infrastructure to be developed by the project
• Monitor contractor’s construction program and method on the field, verifying that they are consistent with the implementation modalities (timeline and technical specifications).
• Monitor consultant’s service provision program and method on the ground, verifying that they are consistent with the implementation modalities (timeline and technical specifications).
• Assist in the process of measurement calculation for further payment and/or variation.
• Liaise with Project and/or States/LGAS Environmental Experts to ensure all related aspects are considered for sustained and environment-friendly rural infrastructure is delivered
• Carry out any other functions assigned to him/her by the Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE).

Reporting and Location:

• The position will be based in the NPMU office located in Abuja.
• The Assistant Rural Infrastructure Engineer (ARIE) will report directly to the Project Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE).

Qualifications and Work Experience

• First Degree in Civil Engineering, Rural Infrastructure or related area
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the construction and management of rural market infrastructure.
• He/She should be registered with relevant professional bodies such as COREN, NSE
• Experience working with Donor Assisted Projects.
• Good knowledge/experience of rural development challenges and dynamics.

Job Title: Agricultural Officer (AO)

Location: Abuja
Details of the Contract: Two-year contract, renewable based on satisfactory performance acceptable to FGN and IFAD

Job Summary

• The Agricultural Officer (AO) will work under the direct supervision of the Agricultural Production Advisor (APA).

Main Responsibility

• The Agriculture Officer will be assisting the Agricultural Production Advisor in the overall management of the activities related to productivity improvement of smallholder farmers, in close collaboration with the State Agricultural Production Officer.

Specific Duties

• Work directly under the Agricultural Production Advisor (APA) with the Extension Service providers in training farmers in various aspects of crop varieties, agronomic practices, climate resilience, post-harvest and market orientation technologies.
• Assist in promoting and disseminating sustainable Agricultural practices through the Farmer Field Business School (FFBS) approach and on-the-spot extension visits under the guidance and Coordination of the APA.
• Assist the Programme’s Community seed producers to establish seed multiplication systems comprising farms and seed cleaning and conditioning centres (Seedlaboratories).
• Assist in setting up the overall distribution scheme of certified seeds/stems of improved varieties, fertilizers and herbicides as well as equipment at State and LGA levels.

• Assist in the collation of State progress reports and contribute to the drafting of periodic project progress reports with the Agricultural Production Advisor (APA).
• Provide guidance to NGO/Service providers hired to implement the activities.
• Oversee the overall process of selection of target Farmers’ Organizations and beneficiaries in dose collaboration with the Rural Institutions and Gender Mainstreaming Officer
• Carry out any other functions assigned to him/her by the Agricultural Production Advisor (APA).

Reporting and Location:

• The position will be based in the NPMU office located in Abuja.
• The Agricultural Officer will report directly to the Agricultural Production Advisor

Qualifications and Work Experience

• First Degree in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Production, Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture.
• A minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience in addition to at least 5 years in the implementation of productivity enhancement projects using participatory approaches in Extension services and gender mainstreaming.
• Proven experience and record in the field of project implementation of productivity projects.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in the English Language.
• Must be computer literate and conversant with the use of simple computer packages.
• Good knowledge/experience of rural development challenges and dynamics.

Job Title: Senior Accountant (SA)

Location: Abuja
Details of the Contract: Two-year contract, renewable based on satisfactory performance acceptable to FGN and IFAD

Job Summary

• The Senior Accountant will work under the direct supervision of the Financial Controller.

Main Responsibility

• The Senior Accountant will work under the direct supervision of the Financial Controller in close collaboration with the State Accountants for the implementation of accounting systems consistent with international accounting standards and principles and Government requirements to ensure the proper use of funds in line with the respective legal agreements.

Specific Duties

• Prepare Programme’s Financial Statements on:
  • Monthly
  • Quarterly
  • Bi-Annually
  • Annually
• Ensure accuracy of computations and completeness of payment request at the PMU in terms of:
  • Receiving approval for payments
  • Uploading of payment on the remita platform
  • Checking of retirements by staff
  • Checking of contract documents for completeness and implementation support.
• Check vouchers coming from the participating States for completeness:
  • Account payables
  • Invoices
  • Vouchers
  • Journals
  • Contract documentation and management
  • Goods received and issued to user departments.
• Participate in financial management monitoring in the participating States and visits to sites.
• Checking of postings and generation of reports on flexible accounting software for correctness/completeness of entries in conjunction with the Financial Controller
• Facilitate preparation, processing and replenishment, reimbursement or direct payment of SOEs and Withdrawal Applications in conjunction with the Financial Controller.
• Any other tasks that might be assigned to him/her by the Financial Controller.

Reporting and Location:

• The position will be based in the NPMU office located in Abuja.
• The Senior Accountant will report directly to the Financial Controller.

Qualifications and Work Experience

• First Degree in Accountancy or relevant fields
• Professional qualification in Accountancy
• Minimum of five (5) years post-qualification work experience
• Familiarity with Flexible Accounting Software
• Must be computer literate
• Experience working with Donor Assisted Projects and firms is an added advantage
• Possession of professional qualifications in Accounting is an added advantage
• Good knowledge/experience of rural development challenges and dynamics.

Job Title: National Programme Coordinator (NPC)

Location: Abuja
Details of the Contract: The NPC position is a Contract Appointment for a period of two (2) years in the first instance, renewal subject to satisfactory performance acceptable to FGN and IFAD

Job Summary

• The National Programme Coordinator (NPC) will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme.

Main Responsibilities

• The National Project Coordinator (NPC) will be responsible for the overall coordination, management and implementation of FGN / IFAD-VCDP in nine (9) participating states.
• A key element of the position will be to ensure that the programme achieves its development objectives and outcomes.
• The NPC will report directly to the Director, Projects Coordinating Unit (PCU) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

Specific Duties

• Day-to-day technical and administrative leadership and coordination support to the programme
• Head the Secretariat of the National Steering Committee (NSC)
• Promote teamwork of specialists and other programme staff at the state and national office for effective programme implementation.
• Coordinate and supervise programme implementation by the participating states
• Convene management meetings at NPMU as well as quarterly technical reviews involving SPMUs
• Manage and motivate programme staff to ensure discipline and enhanced programme performance
• Coordinate preparation of Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) and submit same to the National Steering Committee (NSC) and the IFAD Country Office for approval through the Director, Projects Coordination Unit (PCU).
• Ensure timely delivery of quality reports (AWPB, semiannual reports, financial statements, audit reports to FMARD through PCU and IFAD Country Office
• Coordinate supervision mission and ensure the implementation of mission recommendations.
• Select and engage Service Providers where necessary and formulate ToRs and scope of work for the service providers, supervise, monitor and certify the work of the service providers for various activities and assignments.
• Undertake any other responsibility as may be assigned by the Director, Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) and IFAD Country Office, Abuja.

Reporting and Location:

• The position will be based in the NPMU office located in Abuja.
• The NPC will report directly to Director, Projects Coordinating Unit (PCU), FMARD and IFAD Country Office, Abuja.

Qualifications and Work Experience

• Master’s Degree in any of the following disciplines:
  • Agriculture and related fields,
  • Social and Management Sciences
• A minimum of 15 years post qualification working experience out of which at least five (5) years must be at senior management level in public/private sectors
• Must have a working knowledge of Donor Funded projects
• Good writing skills and Computer literacy
• Good Communication and Team building skills.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their Expression of Interest (EOl) in ten (10) copies including one original and nine photocopies, properly sealed and clearly marked at the top right-hand cover “Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Recruitment of Officers under FGN / IFAD-VCDP project.” Each envelope should include a CV and an Application Letter with Cover Letter suited for the position being applied for.

The sealed envelope should be addressed and delivered to:
The Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,
C / O Director, Projects Coordinating Unit (PCU),
No.1, Eldoret Close, Off Aminu Kano Crescent,
Wuse II – Abuja.

Note: Qualified and experienced women are encouraged to apply

Deadline:  30th July 2022 (12 Noon).