Background:
Nigeria is facing a food security crisis that is compounded by the COVID-19 global pandemic and its effects on the food value chain in the country. The pandemic has significantly disrupted already fragile value chains across the country, including people’s ability to produce, process, and distribute food. The disruption to agricultural productivity and markets has a negative knock-on impact on livelihoods, especially among the most vulnerable households. As part of the Feed the Future initiative, USAID/Nigeria is partnering with 19 youth-led companies (up to age 29) and 13 mid-stage companies (with an existing customer base of more than 1,000 people) that are already working in food production, processing, and distribution. The 32 companies are receiving awards totaling $4 million in funding and technical assistance to support food production and/or food security in Nigeria.
Purpose:
The USAID Catalyst project (Catalyst) supports USAID/Nigeria to design and implementation of the USAID/Nigeria COVID-19 Food Security Challenge. The Catalyst Project has issued 32 fixed amount award (FAA) grants to the winning companies. The purpose of this consultancy is to directly manage up to 10 grant awards to ensure the companies comply with their terms and conditions and achieve the objectives in their scope of work.
This is a part-time consultant position based in Nigeria. The Consultant will report to the Senior Operations Manager of the Catalyst project. The Consultant will engage with other USAID and Catalyst project staff and consultants to support the outlined tasks.
Outcomes & Essential Functions
· Review and provide programmatic and technical feedback on assigned grantee milestone deliverables, including progress reports, final reports, and key performance indicator (KPI) data.
· Conduct hour-long monthly calls with assigned grantees to review progress on deliverables, proactively identify and mitigate risks posed by grant-related activities and identify and document good practices and success stories.
· Conduct site visits to monitor grantees progress and draft trip reports.
· Perform routine review of grant performance and environmental compliance or mitigating measures stipulated in Grant Agreements.
· Participate in weekly internal planning meetings and monthly meetings with the client.
· Stay current on agriculture-related developments for food security, market systems, and value chains in Nigeria.
· Contribute to the Challenge annual report.
· Other tasks may be assigned by the Catalyst Chief of Party (COP)
Required Education & Experience
· Bachelor’s degree
· Minimum two-years’ experience managing USAID funded grants programs
· Experience working in the agricultural sector.
· Practical experience in project financial management, budgeting and budget quality assurance, contract administration, compliance, and other project operations
Travel Expectations:
The consultant must be able to travel within Nigeria to visit Challenge grantees.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
The consultant will work from home and must have a laptop and cellphone that can be used for the assignment.
AAP/EEO STATEMENT
The Equal Employment Opportunity Policy of Resonance is to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. Resonance hires and promotes individuals solely based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.
Resonance believes that employees should be provided with a working environment which enables each associate to be productive and to work to the best of his or her ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.
We expect and require the cooperation of all employees in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free atmosphere.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls or emails please.
