Description

The Value Chain Advisor will fill the role in an anticipated 3 years agricultural project funded by a donor, focusing on the Leather value chain. The successful candidate will ensure value chain activities are well designed by taking an active role in project work planning, and working with the VC Expert to carry out the implementation of these activities. Play a role in coordinating with identified communities, government and private sector partners on value chain development. It should be understood that the tasks outlined below are the key
responsibilities, but the candidate is expected to perform any tasks that are necessary within the context of the evolving needs of the project.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Analysis, utilization and presentation of existing results of research and project implementation for the leather value chain.
• Support of public and private institutions to offer advisory and business services, in particular trainings.
• Assist organizational development in public and private business service providers.
• Support the integration of innovations in the selected value chains (e.g. quality infrastructure, technologies, commercialization and marketing approaches).
• Support the development and update of training materials.
• Mentoring of value chain actors introducing innovations, partially through the SME Loop method. (SME Loops will be partially conducted through the VC Advisors and partially through external short-term experts.)
• Support capacity development of small-scale manufacturers and their associations. – Contributions to reporting. Support the organization of trade shows, trade show participation and exposure visits.
• Support in the garment value chain as appropriate.
• Any other tasks that may be assigned.

Required Technical Skills & Experience:

• Bachelors / Master’s degree in agronomy/agriculture, engineering, economics, social sciences or another relevant area of study.
• Fluent in English with excellent communication, analytical and strategy skills
• 10 years of professional experience in the Private Sector Development and Value Chains sector.
• 5 years in support of the leather sector. Experience in the area of training and coaching, market development, support of productivity is an added advantage.
• 2 years professional work experience and/or origin in Abia/Aba is an added advantage.
• Readiness and capacity for frequent work in Abia without office infrastructure and readiness for frequent travel to Aba, Abuja, Lagos, Kano and other locations.

Desired Skills:

• Self-starter, energetic, and friendly
• Comfortable with new ways of thinking and working
• Engages people and empowers them to deliver on promises
• Maintains integrity and personal reputation
• Ability to analyse complex issues and propose solutions
• Reviews information quickly and does not hesitate to try out solutions

Location: Posting of this position will be partially in Abia/Aba and partially in Abuja with frequent travels to Kano and other states. A long-term expert with present (or at least previous) residency in Abia/Aba is highly advantageous, as no office infrastructure will be maintained in Abia/Aba. Final decisions on location will be made in collaboration with the donor and communicated on the offer.

Deadline for application: Friday October 19th, 2018; 17h00 WAT

Qualified and interested applicants should submit a Word-formatted single document consisting of:

• Cover letter
• CV

Submit to nigeriajobs@tns.org. Please identify the position for which you are applying and the location in the subject line. 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.