The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) is a World Bank assisted Programme for member-countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), designed to make agriculture more productive and sustainable and also to enhance sub-regional integration. In Nigeria, WAAPP works towards achieving its objective of increasing agricultural productivity while promoting sub-regional integration along the value chains of its targeted commodities (aquaculture, cassava, maize; rice, sorghum, yam, poultry and fruit processing); while assisting in the realization of the Nation’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda, this it does via four (4) components, which are:
- Enabling conditions for sub-regional cooperation in technology generation, dissemination and adoption;
- National Centre of Specialization and Excellence in Aquaculture;
- Funding of demand-driven technology generation and adoption;
- Project coordination, management, monitoring and evaluation.
WAAPP is coordinated at the sub-regional level by the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD). In Nigeria WAAPP is implemented by Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMA&RD) through a Project Coordination Office (PCO). WAAPP-Nigeria became effective in January 2012 and the first phase will close in 2016. The Project requires the services of exceptional and highly motivated professionals to fill the vacant position:
Job Title: Agricultural Engineer
Location: Abuja
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the National Project Coordinator, the Agricultural Engineer shall contribute technical expertise to the Project’s operational activities relating to agriculture and agro-industry development in Nigeria. The major duties and responsibilities will include:
- Undertaking analytical work in the relevant agriculture production, processing, storage and marketing infrastructure development needs, with a view to determining the level of priority investments to deliver the Project’s specific mandates;
- Contributing to the preparation of the Project’s Annual Plans and budgets, with particular reference to agriculture technology and rural infrastructure aspects of the Project;
- Actively participate in the programming, arranging and execution of field implementation of Project’s plans, including the installation, operational training and maintenance of the technologies;
- Provide inputs in the review of tender evaluation reports and undertake the evaluation of technical and financial proposals for contracts relating o project implementation;
- Plan and organize appropriate training for the Project partners in relating to all aspects of agricultural technology, to achieve Project objectives;
- Serve as a technical specialist on agricultural technology and rural infrastructure matters, and work in a multi-disciplinary team approach to identify, prepare, appraise, launch, monitor, follow-up, supervise, and complete all missions that contribute to the delivery of the Project’s mandates;
- Work closely with other senior staff of the Project to ensure Environmental compliance of all agricultural technologies deployed and installed by the Project;
- Provide expert advice and guidance to officials Project on matters relating to agricultural technology and rural infrastructure.
- Perform other duties assigned by the National Project Coordinator and the management.
Preferred qualifications
Candidates for the Agricultural Engineer position should possess:
- Nigerian citizenship;
- A higher degree or its professional equivalent in Agricultural Engineering, plus at least 7 years of professional experience in a relevant position within an Agricultural Development Programme or Project; the candidate should have a versatile knowledge of, and practical experience in, the following commodity value chains: Aquaculture, Cassava, Yam, Sorghum, Maize, Mice and Poultry.
- Evidence of previous relevant experience in a donor-funded Agricultural Development Project;
- Previous experience working in multi-lateral, financial institutions or similar large organisations, and performing such roles as project preparing, appraising, supervising or implementing donor funded projects;
- A broad knowledge of all agriculture sub- sectors, and with specific experience in implementation and management of donor funded projects in an African setting;
- Full understanding of the principles of project cycle and project implementation;
- Proven planning and organizational skills. Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills, with ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations;
- Strong knowledge of social, cultural, gender and other development issues related to agricultural technology and rural infrastructure;
- Ability to interact competently with the staff of Project partner-organizations, Government and Donor Agencies to implement the Project;
- Corrpetence in the use of COSTAB and other useful software (Word, Excel, Access, MS Projects, SPSS and PowerPoint);
- Ability to communicate and write effectively in English. A good working knowledge of French will be an advantage.
Duration of Employment Contract
Duration of the employment contract will be 2 (Two) years for all positions (renewable, but based upon the incumbent’s performance and if the relevant project activities are continuing)
Remuneration
Package will be commensurate with professional experience and qualifications
Application Closing Date
13th November, 2014
Method of Application
Interested candidates should forward Ten hard copies of application letters together with ten copies of the their credentials to:
The Office of the National Project Coordinator,
WAAPP-Nigeria,
Project Coordination Office (PCO),
No. 2, Franca Afegbua Crescent,
Off Samuel Jereton Mariere Road,
Apo, Abuja.
