National Value Chains and Rural Finance Specialist - SURAGGWA

The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio by providing technical support in programme development, coordination, and operational assistance related to forestry, community mobilization, and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Nigeria. The role involves capacity building, technical guidance, and reporting to support sustainable food and agriculture systems.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present communication on contribution of wild foods and forests to healthy diets and nutrition for vulnerable groups
• Prepare and deliver learning needs and tools for target audience and provide technical and advisory support for project activities
• Review project tasks and produce training needs matrix for promotion of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and reporting modalities
• Carry out comprehensive baseline assessment on NTFPs
• Facilitate community level trainings on restoration process and NTFP value chain strengthening
• Train communities on establishing NTFP nurseries and oversee restoration steps
• Act as Technical Lead to produce handouts and reports on forest-based contributions to sustainable agrifood systems
• Oversee assessments on consumption of wild/forest foods and ecological sustainability of NTFP harvest and production
• Provide technical guidance for project on wild food/NTFP in collaboration with implementing States and partners
• Participate in technical meetings and workshops related to the project and environment projects
• Support the Representation in other technical areas as delegated
• Prepare and submit progress reports linked to deliverables
• Coordinate preparation of technical reports, terms of reference, presentations and other documents for project implementation
• Assess institutional gaps and propose capacity-building strategies
• Develop frameworks for inter-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement
• Support establishment of monitoring and reporting systems at institutional level
• Facilitate training programs for government, NAGGW and community actors
• Provide technical support for institutional reforms and governance improvements
• Carry out other relevant duties within technical competence as requested by FAO

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Environmental studies, Value Chain Development or other related discipline
• At least five years’ experience in Forestry/Community mobilization
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and Hausa
• National of Nigeria
• Work experience in field implementation of environmental, land restoration or natural resource management programmes
• Experience in environmental and social safeguards implementation, including environmental and social risk management
• Experience in gender mainstreaming and social inclusion within community-based environmental and livelihood initiatives
• Understanding of environmental and social management frameworks, safeguard information systems and compliance requirements in development programmes
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, community participation and coordination with relevant institutions
• Experience in grievance redress, accountability and community feedback mechanisms
• Experience in land restoration, sustainable landscape management and ecosystem rehabilitation initiatives
• Experience in non-timber forest product value chains and climate-resilient livelihood interventions
• Experience in programme monitoring, safeguards reporting and results tracking
• Experience working in Northern Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by land degradation, climate variability and environmental challenges
• Experience in data analysis to support Biodiversity and Climate Research
• Experience in facilitating workshops and training courses in climate smart traditional crops
• Excellent skill on training to enhance effectiveness and equity in distribution of NTFP value chain benefits
• Working knowledge of at least two predominant languages spoken within the project area (e.g. Hausa, Kanuri and/or Fulfulde) is an added advantage

Skills

• Value Chain Analysis
• Forestry Community Mobilization
• Environmental Program Implementation
• Land Restoration
• Natural Resource Management
• Environmental Safeguards Policy
• Social Safeguards
• Environmental Risk Management
• Social Risk Management
• Gender Mainstreaming
• Social Inclusion
• Environmental Social Management Frameworks
• Safeguard Information Systems
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Community Participation Promotion
• Institutional Coordination
• Grievance redress mechanisms
• Accountability Mechanisms
• Community Feedback Mechanisms
• Sustainable Land Management
• Ecosystem Restoration
• Non-Timber Forest Products Value Chains
• Climate-resilient Livelihoods
• Programme Monitoring
• Safeguard Reporting
• Results Tracking
• Data Analysis
• Biodiversity Research
• Climate Research
• Workshop Facilitation
• Training Delivery
• Climate-Smart Agriculture

Languages

English, Hausa