Job Vacancies at HarvestPlus - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, on behalf of HarvestPlus, seeks suitable Nigerian for the position below at its country office in Ibadan:

Job Title: Demand Creation Officer

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-006
Location: Ibadan
Contract: 2-year renewable contract

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

Demand Creation:

Support the identification and hiring of a mix of creative agencies to design and implement campaigns building on opportunities already identified and if necessary, from new insight generation activities
Support the development of a strategy / plan for managing communications to counter public (and government) perceptions of linkages to GM crops
Facilitate the establishment and strengthening of sales outlets to ensure increased farmer and consumer access to bio-fortified seeds and foods
Work with relevant regulatory agencies to ensure quality control of processed products to engender consumer trust and ensure repeated purchased by consumers
Work with relevant teams to map existing and new product distribution outlets and link information to aggregator and distributor networks
Work closely with the project marketing team to develop and implement demand creation strategies for bio-fortified crops and foods
Develop innovative communication tools with captivating messages to spur demand for bio-fortified crops and foods
Work with investors to plan and implement demand creation activities including advertisement and promotions using awareness creation platforms like roadshows, fairs, community events, media and outreach programs etc.
Oversee and provide close support to project implementing partners in the implementation of demand creation activities
Promote appropriate and effective use of social and behavior change methodologies and research techniques to build demand creation and support SMEs on the execution of marketing / demand creation activities
Contribute to quarterly lessons identification and learning documentation and dissemination on-demand creation

Internal Communications and Knowledge Management:

Develop and direct the implementation of the communications strategy for HarvestPlus, ensuring integration and alignment with the country office strategy, and targeting key audiences to build profile and support for HarvestPlus work
Provide technical, editorial, documentation and communication support during project events such as Nutritious Food Fair, farmers’ days, etc
Develop compelling stories – features, photo and video stories, and events that reinforce HarvestPlus brand, while managing regular and efficient sharing and exchange of information through effective internal communications to bring to life HarvestPlus work
Manage the delivery of core communications resources and assets, including reports, briefings, factsheets, profiles and coordinate production (design and printing) in line with HarvestPlus brand guidelines, and manage the distribution
Develop relevant documents, including strategies, proposals, donor reports, and other technical documents, to ensure proper reporting with well written and clear communication messages
Work with relevant staff to develop communication materials including press releases, newsletters, articles, website pages, brochures, banners, posters, guidelines, etc, to support partners and investors
Develop and evaluate feasibility, efficiency, and quality of Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials

External and Media Engagement:

Maintain positive profile through impactful media and outreach campaigns across key external online and offline communications channels
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with targeted online, print and broadcast journalists, editorial writers, bloggers, and columnists, as well as other media influencers, and mobilize them for HarvestPlus events
Monitor the media landscape with a special focus on brand and image attacks and work with appropriate internal stakeholders to formulate responses as required.
Limit and prevent crisis communications by providing frequent updates and critical messaging on FAQs
Oversee and manage the program’s digital media strategy, ensuring that website and social media channels content are updated and engaging
Contribute to communication capacity-building for partners and stakeholders, including developing training programs and guidelines to support and ensure partners can detect, shape and tell their stories of social change and ensure these stories are further incorporated to wider HarvestPlus communications
Proactively identify media opportunities and, in close liaison with HarvestPlus partners, plan and implement media events including press conferences
Oversee monitoring of the current and future news agenda to identify and exploit communications opportunities, manage press enquires and pursue opportunities for promoting HarvestPlus
Oversee management of media contact and communications database and execute and monitor media strategies and activities, including press conferences, one-to-one briefings, press releases, and other written materials
Link HarvestPlus Nigeria advocacy campaigns to other regional and international campaigns, and keep stakeholders and partners informed on various HarvestPlus activities
Prepare and submit project demand creation activity reports to management
Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor

Qualification

Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Agricultural Extension or related field with a Minimum of three (3) years’ work experience in communications, branding media, and public relations.

Competencies:

Deep understanding of marketing and communications principles – strategy & execution
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook applications, Cloud data storage tools like Google Drive, DropBox, OneDrive, etc
Social media knowledge and experience – adept at using major social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
Proven skills in writing, editing and proofreading, concept and brand creation
Ability to effectively convey program goals, enlist partnerships, and work with a range of program and external stakeholders
High degree of motivation, initiative, independence, reliability, adaptability, and professional maturity
Strong command of English – possess excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, presentation, client management, social skills
Experience working with a diverse team including web developers, journalists, graphic artists
Working experience with DFID, BMGF, and USAID funded programs

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application below, attaching detailed Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word. The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant’s current or previous direct Supervisor, a professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more Information (PDF)

Job Title: Program Manager, Commercialization of Biofortified Crops

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-006
Location: Ibadan
Contract: 2-year renewable contract

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

Supply and demand stimulation for biofortified seeds and processed foods
Identify and engage promising SMEs with high willingness to invest in the biofortified seed sector, with focus on credible farmer associations / groups and aggregators
Identify and strengthen capacities of SMEs in processing and value addition to become primary off-takers of vitamin A cassava and maize
Work with breeders and seed producers to identify and deploy best seed varieties for multiplication and production by location
Facilitate the establishment and strengthening of seed sales outlets to ensure increased farmer access to biofortified seeds
Work with relevant regulatory agencies to ensure quality control of processed products to engender consumer trust and ensure repeated purchased by consumers
Work with relevant teams to map existing and new product distribution outlets and link information to aggregator and distributor networks
Define and analyze systems that are of major importance in developing the markets for biofortified seeds, crops and foods
Identify and engage already tested and committed extension agents / systems to address capacity gaps among seed producers and aggregator networks
Evaluate in detail all existing assessments and literature on consumer demand for gari and fufu in the chosen geography to determine more context-specific opportunities to strengthen demand
Support the identification and hiring of a mix of creative agencies to design and implement campaigns building on opportunities already identified and if necessary, from new insight generation activities
Support the development of a strategy / plan for managing communications to counter public (and government) perceptions of linkages to GM crops
Convene / attend events to announce and publicize the partnership and the project and host focus group discussions to review and understand consumers’ perceptions of campaigns
Strengthen the Nutritious Food Platform as a Biofortification Alliance to further develop and refine an approach to consumer engagement and awareness-raising
Monitor biofortified crops and food value chains to identify market failures and pressure points, and ways to make the chain more functional and efficient
Carry out regular assessment of biofortified crops and foods value chain including market development opportunities, market prices, demand and supply interactions
Work with the MELA Specialist to design and implement a robust data collection plan covering all value chain activities and actors including monitoring of market price, product quality, demand and supply linkages and differentials
Work with the MELA Officer to regularly review scope and targets for operational planning in alignment with the program Theory of Change (ToC), monitoring framework, results from pathway and indicators
Participate in results measurements including baseline studies, periodic evaluative studies and impact assessments

Advocacy and policy engagement:

Define policy constraints that hinder the commercialization of VAC and VAM building on assessment reports
Map and engage key influencers within government (executive and legislative, national ad state) and key government officials in the key ministries (FMARD, FMITI, Health, and Finance)
Convene / attend events to announce the partnership and the project to key stakeholders and set out the policy influencing agenda
Create and implement the plan for engagement with influencers including key messages to help build a coherent narrative around VAC and VAM across all of government policy areas

Catalytic financing for seed and processed food SMEs:

Identify companies (input supply and processing) in the growth phase and carry out indepth financing needs assessment to understand and characterize their key constraints
Develop a tailored business support / accelerator package to support a priority set of these businesses for investor readiness
Connect promising companies to facilitate B2B linkages for the supply of inputs, processing, and offtake to build the case for repayable finance (through the Biofortification Alliance engine)
Support suitable companies to pitch to the Nutritious Foods Financing Facility or similar blended options focused on nutritious and safe foods
Perform other duties assigned by the Country Manager

Qualification

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Procurement and Supply Shain Management, Marketing, Agriculture or related discipline with minimum of four (4) years’ work experience in activities related to agricultural commodities and rural development

Competencies:

Proven knowledge of agricultural value chain players (especially cassava and maize) and support service institutions in Nigeria
Understanding and interest in how markets and value chains work
Strong project management expertise, exposure to implementing technical assistance projects, and ability to bring together sector stakeholders
High degree of motivation, initiative, independence, reliability, adaptability, and professional maturity
Strong commitment to gender-sensitive, pro-poor development work and an ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team
Strong interpersona l /people management skills and excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent problem solving, analytical skills, networking, and relationship-building skills
Working experience with DFID, BMGF, and USAID funded programs
Experience in working in Northern Nigeria and fluency in the Hausa language is added advantage.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more Information (PDF)

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Action (MELA) Officer

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-006
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)

Duties

Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

Technical management:

Set the overall program direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve set objectives, in close coordination with the Country Manager.
Facilitate the development of annual business plans, strategic work-plans for the country program.
Monitor adherence to contractual agreement, HarvestPlus policies and procedures, and relevant external rules and regulations.
Ensure program activities align with donor and HarvestPlus standard policies and procedures.
Support the finance teams to ensure proper financial management, procurement, administration, human resources and logistics for program activities.
Ensure close coordination and information sharing with contractual and collaborating partners, and other implementers.
Represent HarvestPlus at government, donor meetings, national and international workshops, and other relevant events.

M&E System design and calibration:

Design and implement a gender-sensitive and results based MELA system and strategy
Develop and regularly review country programme’s Theory of Change (ToC) to ensure alignment with programme delivery strategy and changing realities
Develop country specific MELA system instruments including MELA operational manual, MELA plan, monitoring survey protocol, data quality assessment guidelines, reporting templates, technical data collection tools
Work with program specialists and unit Heads to align M&E with program objectives, develop monitoring tools and integrate M&E in work plans and across all program components
Develop guidance materials that clearly indicate staff responsible for specific M&E products, orienting programme staff to their M&E roles and responsibilities as necessary
Lead the design, development and operationalisation of the country programme databases and mobile data collection applications.

Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:

Coordinate the implementation of M&E activities across the program life cycle and ensure minimum standards are adhered to
Conduct baseline studies to establish baseline values for selected indicators
Lead in the design and implementation of outcome monitoring sample surveys
Facilitate the execution of impact assessments and evaluations; oversee the scope of work, deliverables and overall quality of work of other external led operational research and studies
Coordinate data collection activities across the various functions and implementing partners, analyze and share results within the country program to increase learning and for global reporting
Organize quarterly M&E technical meetings to ensure regular program planning across consortium partners, review progress, and document lessons/address challenges encountered
Undertake regular field visits to all project sites to support the implementation of M&E and to identify where adaptations might be needed
Document processes and achievements to ensure best practices are captured and disseminated, this will include the continual re-evaluation of program activities and information, with resulting activity adjustments in keeping with new insights
Adapt and implement global M&E data quality guidelines to ensure that data generated in-country meets the required data quality criteria
Ensure program data and analysis is used for learning by facilitating progress review and lesson learning reflection platforms with program partners

Management Information Systems and Reporting:

Advance the use of innovative ICT tools to simplify data collection and transmission to HARVEST and global program database
Create a program beneficiary tracking database, allowing for monitoring of stakeholders
Prepare consolidated progress and periodic reports to meet management and donor reporting requirements by approved reporting formats and timing
Document achievements/impact of innovative program components produce written reports on activities, capturing the impacts of activities
Ensure that team members collectively focus on assisting the program to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing analysis and decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level

Capacity and Team Building:

Strengthen staff and partners capacity in the use of data collection and office/work tools through comprehensive and continuous training and coaching
Provide on-going guidance to team members and partners in the implementation and review of their reports and statistics
Adapt and implement global M&E capacity-building strategy at country staff and implementing partner level
Promote a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence
Lead country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes
Support the recruitment, orientation, professional development and ongoing training of staff to ensure the successful implementation of activities
Perform other duties as assigned by the Country Manager.

Qualification

Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Statistics or Social Sciences with a minimum of eight (8) years’ working experience in monitoring and evaluation.

Competencies:

Technical expertise in managing and developing M&E systems; theoretical and practical background in M&E
Knowledge of biofortification value chains, programming and results chains
Experience in the use of mobile data collection platforms including CSPro and CAPI tools
Excellent quantitative skills, including advanced proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel, and at least one statistical data analysis software
Ability to effectively convey program goals, enlist partnerships, and work with a range of internal and external stakeholders
High degree of motivation, initiative, independence, reliability, adaptability, and professional maturity
Highly developed conceptual, analytical, and innovative problem-solving ability
Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to mentor colleagues
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Working experience with DFID, BMGF, and USAID funded programs.

Remuneration

We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Method of Application
Interested applicants should complete the online application attaching detailed Cover letter and Curriculum Vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format. The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant’s current or previous direct Supervisor, professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: SME Technical Support Officer

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2020-006
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2-year renewable contract)

Duties

Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

Value Chain Engineering:

Work with investors in the biofortified food value chain to set-up small, micro and medium scale processing factories and guide construction sites, technical designs and drawings for effectiveness
Materials Support the design and establishment of factory structures to facilitate easy flow and safety of and persons
Provide advice and guidance for design interpretation and make modifications as necessary during the construction phase for complex structures at processing sites
Design guidelines for machinery and equipment component, using computer-aided design technology
Liaise with fabricators to ensure standards for agricultural machinery and equipment.
Work with communication team to publish investors guide for equipment sourcing and set-up
Develop and share catalog on standards for SMEs in gari, fufu, flour processing
Work with value chain operators to understand and implement guidelines for the set of processing centers as required by government regulatory agencies (NAFDAC, SON, etc.) to ensure compliance with environmental and public health, food hygiene and safety standards, etc.
Prepare reports, sketches, work drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets to support investors on different scales, sites, and systems
Work with investors to monitor construction activities and provide reports on observations made relating to environmental problems identified at construction sites etc
Carry out periodic visits to SMEs to monitor progress and ensure standards for food and health safety are adhered to

Value Chain Linkage and Information Technology:

Develop and deploy data collection app (s) to improve market intelligence and linkage with emphasis on digital marketing using the BiofortStat
Regularly source and upload market prices, products, services on BiofortStat to drive/stimulate demand and supply of biofortified crops and foods
Design user-friendly testable websites from layout to function with clear navigation and an option to expand and scale when required
Identify and deploy web services that would improve efficiency, data submission, support research and facilitate innovation across SMEs
Provide a comprehensive system design to streamline work processes, address information deficiencies and gaps, and facilitate knowledge exchange and management for SMEs
Support M&E and other units with ICT tools for field surveys and researches
Review service-related reports (database backups, maintenance, monitoring) regularly to ensure service-related issues are identified and resolved
Perform other duties as assigned by the Country Manager.’

Qualification

B.Sc / HND in Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Computer Science or related field with minimum of three (3) years’ experience performing similar role.
Membership of relevant professional bodies (COREN, NSE) and possession of relevant professional certificates in Information Communication Technology (ICT) or Structural engineering will be an added advantage.

Competencies:

Expert use of AutoCAD, Civil 3D, etc. Microsoft Office Applications – Word, PowerPoint, Outlook applications; Cloud data storage tools – GoogleDrive, DropBox, OneDrive.
Good skills in reading and interpreting engineering drawings
Good skills in writing, editing, and proofreading, concept and construction/equipment designs
Excellent quantitative skills, including advanced proficiency in the use of Microsoft Excel, and at least one statistical data analysis software
Ability to effectively convey program goals, enlist partnerships, and work with a range of internal and external stakeholders
High degree of motivation, initiative, independence, reliability, adaptability, and professional maturity
Highly developed conceptual, analytical, and innovative problem-solving ability
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Remuneration

We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Deadline: 26th February, 2020.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)

Note: IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from female candidates. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Job Vacancies at HarvestPlus – International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

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