TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs, and wealth for their families and communities. With 50 years of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.ABOUT THE PROGRAM: TechnoServe is currently looking for one (1) Farmer Organization Manager for a dairy development program in Nigeria. The program seeks to catalyze the Nigerian dairy sector in an inclusive way that improves the livelihoods, productivity, nutrition and empowerment of smallholder women dairy farmers and the communities in which they live in. More specifically, the program will seek to: Advocate for an enabling environment for local sourcing through engagements with the government and relevant private sector stakeholders.Increase demand for locally sourced milk through partnerships with dairy processors currently or interested in sourcing locally.Improve smallholder dairy farmers’ productivity by increasing their access to technical support services and right inputs.Empower women dairy farmers and enable them to improve their livelihoods and that of their households.Improve nutrition outcomes among smallholder dairy households through food systems entry points. TechnoServe’s role as an implementing partner in this program will include: Identification of dairy households in targeted statesOrganizing farmers into Self-Help Groups (SHG) and strengthening these groupsProvision of financial inclusion & income diversification. Role and ResponsibilitiesThe Farmers Organization Manager will be responsible for the management and implementation of activities 1 and 2 above regarding farmer identification and organization. S/he will be responsible for managing and organizing SHG/cooperative formation and capacity building activities, and managing a team of regionally-based Farmers Organization Advisors to implement these efforts. As the overall project utilizes a facilitative approach, the Manager will coordinate efforts with a variety of stakeholders, including state governments and ADPs, private extension agents, and consultant trainers. S/he will also coordinate with the Financial Inclusion Officer to build out additional services such as vocational training, access to inputs, and finance, to be offered through SHGs/cooperatives.Responsibilities include: Lead on delivery of project implementation phase and provide technical inputs in close collaboration with other team members.Drive the weekly, quarterly and yearly report process and ensure report is submitted by due dates.Develop project work plans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities in line with work plans and activity schedules. Ensure work plan is approved and signed off by the Project LeadWork closely with the project MEL as well as regional MEL advisor to ensure high quality monitoring and evaluation through quality data collection and analysis.Ensure the provision of quality data on a timely basis for internal project management and external reporting purposes.Contribute to dissemination of good practice and lessons from the organization’s work and promote experience sharing and learning in the organization and among partners.Manage and provide mentorship, leadership and direction to the field team in order to achieve results and coordinate field activities as stated in the signed off work plan.Lead gender mainstreaming in all activities to ensure that no less than 40% of total beneficiaries are women.Lead on farmer mobilization and enrollment. Organize and manage community sensitization outreaches.Ensure that training curriculum is developed, reviewed and approved. Also ensure that delivery of training to the farmers is top notch and at the expected level.Where farmer cooperatives exist, develop a plan around strengthening the existing structures through training and engagement and in communities where there are no cooperatives, put in place a mechanism for formation and ensure they are registered with the relevant government agency.Support in facilitating financial/credit opportunities between financial and non-financial organizations and farmers as set out in the mechanism developed.Monitor, identify and advice on challenges and risks facing the implementation of the project.Assist program management and business development when required.Represent the project and organization, at internal and external functions, as assigned.Collaborate with state ADPs and private extension agents to recruit and select farmers to integrate into the formal dairy value chainSupport recruitment and training of public and private extension agents to ensure sufficient female representationSupport Farmers Organization Advisors to work with communities to set up, register and operationalize new SHGs, and formalize existing SHGs in to cooperativesManage and lead capacity building activities of SHG and cooperative leaders, including womenCollaborate with processors and other implementing partners regarding dairy transportation and collection improvements, access to feed and fodder, and access to veterinary servicesCoordinate with Financial Inclusion Officer to link activities with SHGs/CooperativesManage a team of regionally based (remote) Farmers Organization Advisors Required Skills and Experience: Education: An MBA or Master’s degree in agricultural economics/agronomy/crop husbandry and managementWork experience: At least five years’ post-graduate experience in projects/services relating to either agribusiness, marketing, business development or advisory services; private sector and/or development sector experience preferred.Knowledge of livestock development and processes especially in the dairy sectorAt least 2 years’ experience supporting projects in the livestock value chain rural community engagement Technical Expertise and Qualifications: Demonstrated experience supporting the development of farmer organized groups; including informal self-help groups and other associations, formal cooperatives, and/or larger cooperative unions. Experience with dairy cooperatives a plus.Demonstrated experience supporting cooperatives to access agricultural inputs, advisory and business development services, and output markets; increase their production and marketing efficiencies; and enhance value to farmer membersExperience in the effective and efficient use of various diagnostic tools to evaluate and track cooperative capacityExperience using information and communication technology to facilitate business transactions and service deliveryKnowledge of gender and youth integration approaches relevant to cooperativesTechnical understanding of the dairy value chain in Nigeria, including production, transportation, processing, marketing and salesExcellent track record of achieving results in private sector-led development activities in the agriculture sectorExcellent problem solving and analytical skillsCurrent or past work in target geography preferred (North West, North Central Nigeria)Demonstrated experience in managing staffFluency in written and spoken English required; Fluency in Hausa and/or Fulfulde preferredAbility to travel up to 50% of timeAbility to work calmly under pressure to deliver as part of a teamA high level of attention to detail and accuracy in working with numbers Deadline for application: February 19th, 2021 17h00 WAT.We welcome hearing from qualified and interested applicants. Due to a high volume of applicants, please understand that we are able to contact only those who meet the minimum qualifications. No phone calls, please.TechnoServe encourages diversity at all levels and across all facets of our organization. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability, and all other protected classes. TechnoServe is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all facets of employment, including the employment application and selection process. If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact Human Resources Department at **********
