Agricultural Systems Manager (Nigeria Food Baskets)

Overview

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects.

RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector-driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya.

Program Description:

The purpose of the $25-50M USAID Food Basket (Nigeria) Activity is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of selected value chains and markets by building capacities of agri-businesses, removing barriers to investments, and developing innovative financial products. The anticipated program will be based in Nigeria.

Position Description:

RTI is seeking an Agricultural Systems Manager for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Food Basket activity. The Agricultural Systems Manager will be responsible for overseeing activities related to strengthening food and agriculture systems; expanding access to markets; and increasing employment and entrepreneurship in key value chains. This position will report to the Deputy Chief of Party - Technical (DCOP Technical) and be based in Nigeria (final location determine by solicitation), with travel throughout implementation areas in Nigeria, including but not limited to North-West States.

Please note that this position is contingent upon funding availability/award from USAID.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the technical lead for all activities in the Agricultural Productivity pillar in areas such as connecting smallholder farmers to resources, as well as improving access to finance, agricultural inputs, technologies, and extension services.
• Manages the work of relevant Specialists across regional offices.
• Supports local partners and grantees carrying out activities under the Agriculture Systems pillar.
• Liaises with other donor-funded initiatives to build synergies and share lessons learned and best practices. Serves as a member of leadership team, setting a positive and professional tone for the team, collaborating closely with the other team leaders.
• Design and lead partnerships with the agricultural inputs sector that expand access to high quality technologies and information.
• Oversee all grants related to Agricultural Systems, ensuring catalytic investments that do not distort the market.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 12 years of experience, or Master’s degree and 10 years of experience.
• At least 8 years of experience in managing and/or leading agricultural development activities for large-scale agriculture or market systems development programs in West Africa, with at least three of those years working in Nigeria as a senior advisor or staff member.
  
  

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and experience with agricultural system actors (public, private, associations, and/or cooperatives) in Nigeria, with demonstrated understanding of local agricultural market systems and private sector engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve sensitive and complicated work issues with senior high-level country counterparts, donor representatives, and senior-level staff.   
• Demonstrated success in implementing projects aimed at increasing the productivity and inclusiveness of value chains using facilitative approaches.
• Demonstrated success collaborating with private sector agricultural input suppliers to expand and strengthen input markets (Nigeria required.)
• Knowledge of agricultural extension models.
• Experience managing USAID funding, inclusive of subgrants and/or subcontracts to local partners preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multidisciplinary teams.   
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.   
• Excellent communication, writing and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.