Project Director, Nigeria Rural Development, Nutrition, and Responsible Sourcing of Cereals

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Project Director

LOCATION: Nigeria

DEPARTMENT: Agriculture & Enterprise

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Agriculture & Enterprise

POSITION SUMMARY:

Winrock International is currently recruiting Project Director candidates for the anticipated Nigeria Rural Development, Nutrition, and Responsible Sourcing of Cereals activity. This will be a three-year, $1.6 million project, co-funded by USAID/Nigeria and Nestlé to support Nestlé’s cereals plan for maize and soybean in Nigeria’s Kaduna State. The project will support broad-based, economic growth in Nigeria by improving the on-farm practices of smallholder farmer suppliers to arrest the growth of mycotoxin both pre- and post-harvest, and design viable drying practices that will reduce detected aflatoxin. The approach will support smallholder farmer suppliers to meet the increasing demands of Nestlé cereal factories in the region by reducing the high levels of aflatoxin and other contaminates. The Project Director position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria and is subject to a project award being made to Winrock International.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Project Director will provide overall technical and operational direction to the project. S/he will be the primary point of contact for coordination between USAID/Nigeria, Nestlé, and Winrock HQ. S/he will be responsible for developing and leading the project’s technical approach to pre- and post-harvest interventions, including scaling available technologies. The COP will also provide capacity building to project staff and partners. The COP will also oversee project management systems for finance and administration, logistics, human resources and strategic operation. S/he will ensure the completion of time reports, evaluation, analyses, assessments, and deliverables that meet USAID quality control/assurance standards and provide hands-on guidance and support to project activities and personnel. S/he will also be responsible for identifying technical assistance needs and developing scopes of work for volunteer engagement in specific technical assistance interventions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education:

• Advanced degree in business, agronomy, agribusiness, agricultural economics or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively senior experience managing agriculture/value chain projects;
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a Project Director or equivalent, including demonstrated experience managing private sector-funded programs and/or creating private sector linkages in agricultural value chains;
• Demonstrated experience implementing pre- and post-harvest interventions in the cereal value chain;
• Proven record of achieving development impact in projects focusing on food safety and export quality standards in commercial agribusiness, service provision, market development and investment promotion.
• Nigerian candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Skills & Knowledge:

• Demonstrated experience and leadership in the formation of market linkages, supply of technical assistance and inputs to smallholder producers, creating producer–market linkages, public-private partnerships and corresponding business/investment plans.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Excellent budget management skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

About the Organization

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. Winrock matches innovative approaches in agriculture, natural resources management, clean energy, and leadership development with the unique needs of its partners. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.