State Embedded Officer

Propcom Mai-karfi, a six-year project which works to improve the livelihoods of Nigeria’s rural poor through targeted market initiatives. Propcom Mai-karfi aims to increase the incomes of 500,000 poor Nigerians; half of them by enhancing employment opportunities and improving productivity in selected agricultural and other rural markets in northern Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: State Embedded Officer
Job Locations: Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Yobe

Purpose

• To provide field level support and information sharing for Propcom Mai-karfi programme interventions in specific markets (market chains & sectors) in accordance with the overall programme strategy within a given state.

Scope of Work

• The State Embedded Officer supports the delivery of a number of programme interventions within a given state. This will involve field support in implementing the design, communicating, giving data / evidence when required for monitoring and reporting on all assigned interventions to line manager
• S/he will develop and maintain close relationships with project partners while supporting the implementation of project interventions to contribute to the delivery of agreed milestones.
• Based in a given state, this post will require frequent travel to the field.
• The Propcom Mai-karfi staff work as an integrated team. The State Embedded Officer will be expected to contribute to other aspects of the programme.

Specific Responsibilities
The State Embedded Officer will be responsible for the following:

• Assist in local stakeholder analysis of selected commodity chains, and also identify and establish contact with potential agents of change.
• When required, liaise with the Results Measurement (RM) team through the Senior Market Manager and Market Manager on the development and implementation of appropriately tailored research tools and methods for the collection and collation of relevant information from the field.
• Assist in collecting baseline data related to interventions targeted for study or implementation by the project.
• Assist the Market Manager in the development of relevant grant agreements, Collaboration Agreements, ToRs and any other administrative and managerial requirement for the interventions
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure proper implementation of activities.
• Remain aware of, and report to Market Manager on, developments in the relevant sectors/markets/commodity chains.
• Help identify market failures and pressure points for addressing them; help identify ways to render a given market more functional and efficient, in a manner that will benefit the poor.
• Provide weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports on programme interventions where required by Market Manager, including impact assessment reports. Also provide relevant ongoing intervention activity feedback including formal and informal feedback from the field.
• At field level represent the programme in selected markets, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with partners, other members of the programme, and with the public.
• Take part in facilitating and managing the work of partners/co-facilitators/service providers of programme and ensure “value for money” for the tasks given.
• Support the Senior Market Manager, Market Manager and Results Measurement staff by being the linkage with markets, and interventions for the delivery of  programme action plans and milestones.

Working Relationships:

• The State Embedded Officer will report to the Market Manager. S/he will also be expected to work closely with the Results Measurement team of the programme with information gathering on progress for all interventions in a given state
• S/he will also be expected to establish and maintain good and effective working relationships with other members of the Propcom Mai-karfi team, in particular the programme’s Support team.
• The State Embedded Officer will work closely with all market partners and will be the infield face of the programme.

Competencies
Communication:

• Confidently delivers tailored messages to various audiences using various media   and tools. Asks insightful questions, validates the speaker’s feelings and points, and encourages the speaker; leaves the speaker feeling ‘heard’
• Reports concisely and proactively with observations, analysis, and implications of the observations on project work and has the ability to present such findings to a variety of stakeholders in a concise and effective manner.

Relationship Builder:

• Quickly develops trusting relationships with others; proactively assesses and manages trust with others. Maintains industry, government and corporate networks and consistently forges new business relationships to fit priorities
• Follows-up on connections to catalyze positive relationships
• Demonstrates neutrality and helps parties come to creative agreements and solutions, while keeping ownership with the parties.

Business Person:

• Understands the idea of the marketing mix (the 5 ‘P’s); can gather market info and give advice on marketing strategy; Advises on building and keeping good customer relations. Keeps records in more

Innovator:

• Tests out new ideas on an ongoing basis; actively searches for solutions beyond traditional boundaries and informs colleagues. Makes time to reflect and codify learning; seeks out sources of learning
• Proactively shares both successful and unsuccessful endeavours; actively identifies issues that may hinder effective collaborations and devises means of minimizing these; takes a leadership role in a team
• Collects and arranges complex evidence within an Excel workbook; to aid subsequent cost-benefit analysis of economic options; prescription and argument for pro-poor improvements in markets.

Essential Qualifications
The State Embedded Officer should have:

• A Degree, High Diploma or similar qualification in Business, Economics, Agriculture or Development Studies;
• Minimum of 2 years’ work experience in activities related to agricultural commodities and rural development, with some experience working with the private sector and confirmed knowledge of the institutions and organisations that provide services to the agricultural sector in Nigeria;
• Experience in data gathering and writing reports
• Ability to influence a range of people including client organisations, government agencies and other key stakeholders by building constructive relationships through clear communication and generate effective discussion and mutual support for plans and ideas.
• Fluency in English and Hausa essential, and proficiency in other local languages desirable.

Location of Post

• The post is domiciled in the assigned state however the incumbent will be required to make frequent travels within the State and occasionally to other the Northern States.