National Programme Coordinator (NPC) at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development (FMARD) in partnership with 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 FGN / IFAD-VCDP (VCDP AF1) for the management and implementation of the programme in the nine (9) participating states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Nasarawa, Taraba, Niger and Ogun.

Consequently, 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 position below:

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) year in the first instance, renewal subject to satisfactory performance acceptable to FGN and IFAD

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 to a total of 57 Local Goverment 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 at 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 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.

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 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 team work of specialists and other programme staff at the states and national office for effective programme implementation.
• Coordinate and supervise programme implementation by the participating states
• Convene management meeting at NPMU as well as quarterly technical review 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 missions 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 working knowledge of Donor Funded projects
• Good writing skills and Computer literacy
• Good Communication and Team building skills.

Deadline: 30th July, 2022 (12 Noon).

Method of Application
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.