Job pack: Private Sector Development Advisor

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Willa Lynne Parks
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1 Job pack: Private Sector Development Advisor Country Nigeria Employer VSO Nigeria Duration 18 Months Job purpose The Private Sector Development Advisor will facilitate the development of viable economic models that link farmers to private sector markets. This includes facilitating partnerships between the target communities and the private sector, as well as with service providers such as technical institutions, producer and marketing institutions/agencies, financial institutions, other NGO s and local and international research institutes and Niger State s relevant line Ministries of Agriculture and Trade. Contents: 1. Job Description Personal considerations Background and contextual information... 5 Page 1

2 1. Job Description Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge The volunteer will have a range of tasks The Key performance indicators of this Building and Sustaining working A university degree in Business and activities: placement are that: relationships Administration or any of the Social Develop Private Sector Engagement Target beneficiaries are able to The social skills to build and Sciences Strategy sustain their livelihoods and the actively maintain working Minimum 4 years relevant experience Facilitate the development of viable livelihoods of their families. relationships that foster in project management preferably for economic models that link farmers Opportunities identified and teamwork and collaboration with an agri-business and/or market based to private sector markets. private sector investments in the others for the benefit of a project Work with the project team to maize or soy bean sector common goal. Understanding of the workings of the ensure that by the end of the facilitated. Open Minded and Respectful Private Sector and markets project, at least two value chain Business models for farmer A non-judgemental approach that Proven experience in entrepreneurship models have been improved and collectives Designed and scaledup. values other people and culture. capacity building for SME development scaled up for optimal production and Seeking and Sharing Knowledge and support to rural community marketing of the produce/ products Business plans for Recognition that learning is a twoway and continuous process. Experience in value chain development business management with interface with national, regional partners/stakeholders and international markets. developed Assess implementing NGOs capacity, Facilitating Positive Change and application of innovative financial Training and technical assistance mechanisms and entrepreneurship; develop and carry out capacity The ability to analyse problems given to increase revenue, Ability to work well in a team building plans to ensure that CBOs / reduce cost and operating like a and develop lasting solutions in NGOs have the capacity to create business. line with VSO approaches. Desirable public/private/cbo partnership platforms that plan and coordinate Page 2 Adaptability Ability to speak Hausa

3 Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge A flexible approach and the ability Previous work experience in West LGA level actions Africa would be an added advantage Initiate and lead market assessments to adapt behaviour to different and opportunities for value chain situations. development suitable to market demands. Provide technical and institutional support to the project team with specific focus on linking beneficiaries to markets. Train partner NGO staff on market, engagement with the private sector, social mobilization and technical skills Other tasks as specified and assigned within the project team Objectives will be confirmed in a three way discussion between the volunteer, employer and VSO in the first three months of the placement Resilience The self-confidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people and ambiguity. Due to the nature of our volunteer placements, it is possible that the responsibilities of this role may differ in reality and therefore the postholder will need to be prepared to be flexible and adapt to their environment as necessary. Responsible to: Page 3

4 2. Personal considerations In addition to the job description, the following information should be used when considering whether a placement is suitable for you. Personal health considerations If you have a significant current or past medical condition and/or you have general concerns about staying healthy as a volunteer, please use this information to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. All volunteers require medical clearance from a VSO medical adviser before they are able to take up a placement with VSO. Occasionally, VSO may consider that this placement is too great a risk for you in terms of your personal health and you would be advised to consider a different placement. For further guidance about medical assessment and volunteering with a medical condition please see the frequently asked questions on VSO website. Access to medical care and support The standard and quality of local medical care and support available at this placement will depend on its location within the country. Health facilities are likely to be more poorly resourced in rural areas in terms of medical expertise, equipment, infrastructure and regular supplies of medication. However, this may not be the case in the capital city or in a larger town, where in some countries there may be a reasonable standard of medical care. The following gives you an indication of where the placement is in relation to the country office and how easy it would be to make the journey if you were ill. The volunteer will be based in Minna, Niger the State and will have easy access to the medical facilities available in the Capital this included private clinics and State hospital. The VSO Programme Office is between 3 to 4 hours from Minna by road. There is a private hospital in proximity to the volunteers' placement and home in Minna, Niger state to enable volunteers to seek medical assistance 24 hours of the day. Mosquito nets are given to volunteers during the In country training. Programme staff will also check the accommodation before volunteer s arrival to ensure that it meets VSO Nigeria s minimum standard to prevent malaria attacks. Aside Malaria, Typhoid is another common ailment that can be contacted, in other to prevent this disease, volunteers are advised to boil and filter their drinking water, wash fruits and vegetables before eating and cooking. There is also a one hour health talk on healthy living during the in country orientation which is facilitated by a medical doctor invited from one of VSO Nigeria s recommended hospital. Volunteers are also given a comprehensive health manual that provides necessary information on health issues. Good nutrition can be a challenge with available foods. It is advisable to take vitamin tablets. This placement : will either be in a rural area or small town 5 hours from the capital on mixed roads s by plane If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances or health concerns in confidence with VSO s medical team before you apply for this placement please contact medical@vsoint.org. Page 4

5 Accompanying partner or family: If you have a partner or children who are planning to accompany you to your placement, please use this section to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. Funding available for this modest therefore limited to direct project expenditure Motorcycle requirements Motorbike is an essential means of transportation. The volunteer may need to ride as a pillion; he or she should come with a helmet, as this is usually the means of transport in some parts of the community where the volunteer will be working. Security information The Volunteer would be briefed on security issues in Nigeria during the In country orientation upon arrival. This provides tips for volunteers in managing security issues while in Nigeria. A regular update is also provided weekly in a bulletin form to volunteers through . Nigeria is such a vast country but often reports in newspapers can be distorted of the situation on the ground. Safety is paramount to VSO and volunteers are kept very well informed of any concerns. 3. Background and contextual information VSO have been working in Nigeria since VSO Nigeria currently has Secure Livelihoods, Education and Youth programmes as its main programme and works in clusters to deliver its strategy. The overall goal of the VSO Nigeria country strategy is to reduce poverty and the vulnerability of youth in Nigeria. There are 4 clusters in the VSO Nigeria programme; the North Central, North-West, South-West and the South-South clusters. The Private Sector Development Advisor role is created to ensure the development and implementation of a private sector strategy for the Improving Market Access for the Poor project, mapping out opportunities and cultivating relationships between farmer collectives and corporate partners to develop partnerships. Further information on VSO s work in each of the countries we work in can be found on the VSO website. Page 5

Job pack: Gender Advisor

Job pack: Gender Advisor Country Nigeria Employer VSO Nigeria Duration 18 Months Job purpose The Gender Advisor will serve as the lead advisor in identifying genderbased constraints facing women in the