United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.
We invite applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position below:
Job Title: Agronomist
Job ID: 87901
Location: Benue
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 21st October, 2019
Duration of Initial Contract: One Month
Expected Duration of Assignment: One Month
Background
The conflict between the herders and farmers in Nigeria has been identified as the single most widely spread peace and security threat by a recent Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) report carried out by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Nigeria has continued to register huge casualties and tension throughout almost all states of the Federation on a recurrent basis. Most reported in the Middle Belt (particularly the states of Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa) between herdsmen and local farmers, the clashes over farmland and or pasture, have increasingly taken religious undertones (Muslims versus Christians), with religious leaders publicly exchanging accusations, a development which has further polarized communities and complicated efforts at mitigating the violence. Thousands of lives have been lost, property destroyed, and communities left in disarray and tens of thousands internally displaced all over many parts of the Middle Belt and other parts of Nigeria. Some estimates indicate that the communal violence between farmers and herders claimed more lives in 2016 alone than the Boko Haram insurgency, hinting at its magnitude nationwide.
One of the main sources of tensions in the farmers-herders conflict is access to water. Frequent clashes evolve from disputes, particularly at water points, where herders and farming communities come into contact and frequently compete for scarce water resources. To that effect, this project will enhance access to water for both farming and herder communities through the establishment of bore holes and irrigation systems.
The farmers-herders violence is both widespread and fluid in scope, making any geographic limitations to the implementation of the project challenging. Violence occurs in many different localities, and the dynamic movement of persons across community, local government, and state lines demand a flexible approach in selection of target areas. For example, when Benue State implemented the Open Grazing Prohibition Law on November 1, 2017. Media reports suggested that the attacks on communities in Benue in early 2018 were reportedly occurring in communities along the River Benue watershed. As such most affected LGAs embroiled in this crisis are located along the banks of the River Benue.
According to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program’s (UCDP) Georeferenced Event Dataset (GED), 28% of deaths in attacks between farmers and herders from 2014 – 2017 in Benue state occurred in Guma and Logo LGAs. The Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project will therefore target Benue state with community-level activities in LGAs along the River Benue drainage basin with huge devastation from the crisis such as Guma, Buruku, Kwande, Logo and Agatu LGAs.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Functions
- Lead the soil survey team in data analysis and interpretation;
- Oversee land clearing and mechanized land preparation in the five-project location
- Production of detailed operational, technical and cost analysis for land development
- Develop best farming practices for the project;
- Support the development of value chain proposal; and
- Support production of knowledge products and capacity development.
Description of Functions
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project, the consultant will support the overall irrigation and drainage management component of the project and will be expected to perform the following key functions:
Lead the soil survey team in data analysis and interpretation:
- The Consultant will provide highest quality technical support to the, Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project
- She/he will work in close collaboration with the Project Manager, collaborating Agencies and other Stakeholders at state and LGA levels to gather data on soil properties; physical, biological and chemical
- Follow up on laboratory analysis of soil samples. Coordinate the analysis and interpretation of results obtained as well as develop soil maps for allocated farmlands.
- The Consultant will work closely with the respective agencies in charge of lands in the states as well as the service provider to supervise mechanized land preparation to create a favorable environment for adequate rain water harvesting that would support the seeds or plants to germinate and grow over a longer period during the rainy season
- She/he will ensure that the service providers do not deviate from the parameters stimulated in their terms of reference
- After land clearing, the consultant will propose the size of plot appropriate for a farmer to cultivate
- She/he will liaise with the relevant stakeholders to delineate the land into plots as recommended.
Production of detailed operational, technical and cost analysis for land development:
- The Consultant will work with the irrigation engineer to share hydrology, topography and soil survey results
- This will help in guiding options for land development on the allocated lands across the five LGAs in Benue State
- Guide appropriate use of land for farming based on interpreted soil laboratory tests and other surveys carried out. Propose an annual land use programme, assess the cost of land development (all necessary inputs and services costs).
Develop best farming practices for the project:
- Work with the Project Technical Team and other Stakeholders to propose a cropping pattern specific for each of the identified farmlands per LGA.
- Propose appropriate farming equipment for the project per allocated lands. Propose best farming practices for the project (land conservation, fertilizer, crop protection, etc.).
Support the development of value chain proposal:
- In collaboration with the agronomist, the consultant will propose a process of value chain from the crop production to produce trade
- This will include harvesting, processing, storage, transportation, marketing, input supply, etc.
Support development of knowledge products and capacity development:
- The Consultant shall carry out a field school programme on all agricultural practices needed
- Support in agriculture extension training
- Develop training manuals for beneficiaries.
Competencies
- Knowledge Management and Learning
- Has good knowledge of UNDP data management process
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office.
- Has good knowledge of UNDP programme and operational issues.
- Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in crisis and post-crisis situations.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Soil Science/Agronomy or related courses. Postgraduate Degree is an added advantage.
Experience:
- She/he should have at least 10 years of experience in the field of crop production and protection of which at least 5 years of professional experience should be in North Central Nigeria;
- Wide experience in the study, design and implementation of crop production development projects;
- Sound experience in agricultural extension service delivery;
- She/he should be conversant with the principles and working methods of project cycle management;
- Experience working with UN or non-governmental organizations is an asset.
Language:
- Fluen en English.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Job Title: Irrigation Engineer
Job ID: 87904
Location: Benue
Additional Category: Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 21st October, 2019
Duration of Initial Contract: One Month
Expected Duration of Assignment: One Month
Background
The conflict between the herders and farmers in Nigeria has been identified as the single most widely spread peace and security threat by a recent Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) report carried out by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Nigeria has continued to register huge casualties and tension throughout almost all states of the Federation on a recurrent basis. Most reported in the Middle Belt (particularly the states of Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa) between herdsmen and local farmers, the clashes over farmland and or pasture, have increasingly taken religious undertones (Muslims versus Christians), with religious leaders publicly exchanging accusations, a development which has further polarized communities and complicated efforts at mitigating the violence. Thousands of lives have been lost, property destroyed, and communities left in disarray and tens of thousands internally displaced all over many parts of the Middle Belt and other parts of Nigeria. Some estimates indicate that the communal violence between farmers and herders claimed more lives in 2016 alone than the Boko Haram insurgency, hinting at its magnitude nationwide.
One of the main sources of tensions in the farmers-herders conflict is access to water. Frequent clashes evolve from disputes, particularly at water points, where herders and farming communities come into contact and frequently compete for scarce water resources. To that effect, this project will enhance access to water for both farming and herder communities through the establishment of bore holes and irrigation systems.
The farmers-herders violence is both widespread and fluid in scope, making any geographic limitations to the implementation of the project challenging. Violence occurs in many different localities, and the dynamic movement of persons across community, local government, and state lines demand a flexible approach in selection of target areas. For example, when Benue State implemented the Open Grazing Prohibition Law on November 1, 2017. Media reports suggested that the attacks on communities in Benue in early 2018 were reportedly occurring in communities along the River Benue watershed. As such most affected LGAs embroiled in this crisis are located along the banks of the River Benue.
According to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program’s (UCDP) Georeferenced Event Dataset (GED), 28% of deaths in attacks between farmers and herders from 2014 – 2017 in Benue state occurred in Guma and Logo LGAs. The Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project will therefore target Benue state with community-level activities in LGAs along the River Benue drainage basin with huge devastation from the crisis such as Guma, Buruku, Kwande, Logo and Agatu LGAs.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Functions
- Support the topography survey team in data collection and analysis
- Production of detailed operation, technical and cost analysis for irrigation options
- Develop detailed design of irrigation and drainage networks for selected irrigation method
- Support the setup of water users association and
- Support production of knowledge products and capacity development.
Description of Functions
Under the general supervision of the Assistant FAOR Programme and direct supervision of the Project Manager, Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project, the incumbent will support the overall irrigation and drainage management component of the project and will be expected to perform the following key functions:
Support the topography survey team in data collection and analysis:
- The Consultant will provide highest quality technical support to the, Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project
- She/he will work in close collaboration with the Project Manager, collaborating Agencies and other Stakeholders at state and LGA levels to gather topography information and carry out geophysical investigation on allocated lands and interpret geophysical survey data to identify aquifers and determine water yields by location
- Develop Digital Terrain Models. Integrate information from soil and hydrology surveys to 3D models developed.
Production of detailed operational, technical and cost analysis for irrigation options:
- In accordance with the topography, soil and hydrology surveys, proposing some irrigation option with a matrix comparing advantages and disadvantages of each of these options
- These options will consider water management and land ownership status. Given land quality, proposed cropping patterns, water availability, the consultant should propose two or three options of irrigation systems
- Propose the necessary rehabilitation of existing irrigation schemes if needed.
Develop detailed design of irrigation and drainage networks for selected irrigation method:
- For whatever irrigation method selected (surface, drip or sprinkle), and drainage method, the consultant will generate a detailed analysis to back up such option
- The following issues will be analyzed; capital costs, operational and management costs, beneficiary acceptance and their expected involvement, management problems as well as bill of quantities.
Support the setting up of water users association:
- The consultant shall support the development of a plan to constitute water users’ association
- A ToR will be developed for the association with assigned roles and responsibilities of executives clearly stated
- Furthermore, in collaboration with the Project Manager, other Agencies, community and other Stakeholders compute water service fees.
Support development of knowledge products and capacity development:
- The Consultant shall support the development of operation and maintenance guidelines for irrigation and drainage installations. She/he will also prepare a farmer training programme on irrigation and water management for beneficiaries on the project.
Expected Outcomes
- A detailed topographical map of the project area showing location of project features (boreholes, irrigation areas, Communities among others).
- A detailed geophysical report
- Framework for the constitution of the water users association
- Based on the review of the data collected, analysis results and stakeholder consultations, a technical design of two suitable irrigation systems shall be made with detailed analysis of:
- Capital costs
- O&M costs
- Beneficiary acceptance and their expected involvement
- Management problems
- Bill of quantities
- A matrix comparing advantages and disadvantages of the different options
- Develop operation and maintenance manual
Competencies:
- Knowledge Management and Learning
- Has good knowledge of UNDP data management process
- Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office.
- Has good knowledge of UNDP programme and operational issues.
- Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in crisis and post-crisis situations.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil/Agricultural/Irrigation Engineering or related courses. A Postgraduate Degree is an added advantage.
Experience:
- She/he should have at least 10 years of experience in the field of irrigation engineering of which at least 5 years of professional experience should be in developing countries, specifically sub-Saharan Africa;
- Wide experience in the study, design and implementation of irrigation infrastructure development projects;
- She/he should be conversant with the principles and working methods of project cycle management;
- Experience working with UN or non-governmental organizations is an asset.
Language:
- Fluent in English.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Job Title: Consultant – Market Mapping
Job ID: 87907
Location: Benue
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 21st October, 2019
Duration of Initial Contract: One Month
Expected Duration of Assignment: One Month
Background
The herdsmen-farmers clashes have been ongoing on for a long time, but it has now taken a more frightening dimension. The conflict between the herders and farmers in Nigeria has been identified as the single most widely spread peace and security threat by a recent Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) report carried out by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR). Nigeria has continued to register huge casualties and tension throughout almost all states of the Federation on a recurrent basis. Most cases are reported in the Middle Belt (particularly the states of Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa) between herdsmen and local farmers.
The clashes over farmland and or pasture, have increasingly taken religious undertones (Muslims versus Christians), with religious leaders publicly exchanging accusations, a development which has further polarized communities and complicated efforts at mitigating the violence. Thousands of lives have been lost, property destroyed, and communities left in disarray and tens of thousands are internally displaced all over many parts of the Middle Belt and other parts of Nigeria. Some estimates indicate that the communal violence between farmers and herders claimed more lives in 2016 alone than the Boko Haram insurgency, hinting at the magnitude of the crisis nationwide.
In recognition of a growing need to provide a holistic response to the crisis, the Federal Government developed and launched the National Livestock Transformation Plan in January 2019. The framework provides a holistic approach to addressing this crisis, while aiming to lay the foundations for longer term security, peace and transformation of the livestock sector.
The United Nations has also scaled up its efforts to respond to the crisis, notably through this project that target the states of Benue and Nasarawa states. The United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) project will contribute to ending the Herdsmen-Farmers Conflict in Benue and Nasarawa States in Nigeria. This will be through the “Transitioning from humanitarian relief to long-term development: Addressing the herdsmen-farmers conflict in Nigeria Project” which was designed to address the farmer-herder conflict through enhancing preventive capacities, by promoting dialogue and proactive engagement; building mutually beneficial economic relationships between farmers and herders; improving the effectiveness of the security response through strengthened human rights monitoring and accountability; and providing an impartial and evidence-based narrative to defuse the politicized debate and help mobilize a broader response. The overall goal of the project is to contribute to peaceful coexistence in the Middle Belt, with a focus on Benue and Nasarawa states. The project is funded by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security. It is implemented by four UN Agencies-UNDP (lead), FAO and UNHCR, drawing from their experiences and building on their work
The implementation of this pilot project will specifically achieve the following objectives:
- To reduce the vulnerability of affected persons through community-based protection by enhancing ability of affected communities to identify and mitigate risks and threats while ensuring that there is no interruption in livelihoods and productive activities.
- Livelihood and empowerment of community members in intensive production of pasture, management of fodder bank and provide training on pasture management for community members, particularly youth and women. The animal husbandry, nutrition value addition and linkages to markets will also empower the cattle breeders.
- Conflict prevention and peace building by establishing a state peace architecture; local peace committees in conflict affected LGAs to foster dialogue and non-violent resolution of disputes.
- National and regional mobilization on the promotion of Human Security at national and sub-regional levels
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- University Degree in Animal Husbandry, Animal Feeding, Agriculture And Rural Development, Veterinary Medicine, Economics, Development Planning, Supply Chain Management or other related fields.
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 – 10 years professional expertise in agricultural and value chain research, mapping and evaluation, impact assessment/development of programming/strategies;
- Professional certification or membership of agro-allied, supply chain management or related professional associations or societies.
- Extensive experience in conducting researches and mapping, with a strong working knowledge of market economics, value chain, development and state building, and governance issues.
- Extensive knowledge of participatory mapping methodologies and approaches.
- Experience in working with conflict sensitivity methodologies such as Do No Harm in undertaking project activities.
- Excellent knowledge and operation skills of Microsoft Power Point, Excel, Word or other word processing packages.
- Demonstrated analytical, communication and professional report writing skills.
- Good professional knowledge of the Africa region and the Nigerian fodder and dairy governance context.
- Experience working with the UN is an asset.
Language:
- Fluent in English.
Duties and Responsibilities
- As part of a bigger team working towards the attainment of the objectives stated above, the consultant shall work towards implementing and attaining objective 2
- The consultant on market linkage for fodder, milk will work directly with the Agricultural, Livestock, Pasture Development, and Dairy Specialist in developing the market for the fodder, pasture as well as, the milk and other products.
The responsibilities of the market linkage consultant are as follows:
- Review of relevant documents and field visits to gather as much as possible information enabling adequate analysis on fodder production, pasture development, feed stock
- Discuss with relevant institutions including farers, herders, input service providers linked to livestock and dairy sector
- Discuss with livestock stakeholders to understand the livestock sector in the state and fodder production and pasture management; and milk production and collection
- Assess the socioeconomic impact of fodder production, pasture development and feed stock
- Conducting a national mapping of major off takers of fodder, silage, feed stock and hay, as well as, other dairy products.
- Create a full list of possible markets for fodder, silage and other products.
- Develop an appropriate marketing strategy for fodder, pasture, silage and other products.
- Undertake other duties as may be necessary towards attaining objective two and other inter-related project objectives.
Competencies:
- Technical knowledge and expertise in mapping of structures
- Excellent knowledge of market linkages for fodder, milk and other products and their structures within and outside Nigeria
- Excellent data management and analysis skills
- Excellent networking skills
- Excellent interviewing techniques
- Excellent writing skills
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Full compliance with UN regulations and operating procedures
Deadline: 14th October, 2019.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
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