POSITION TITLE: Director, Technical Services

LOCATION: MARKETS PROJECT OFFICE, ABUJA NIGERIA

UNIT: Enterprise and Agriculture (E&A)

REPORTS TO: COP MARKETS Project and Senior Program Officer, E&A


PROGRAM SUMMARY:

MARKETS is an agribusiness, private sector-led project that builds on USAID investments in agricultural development in Nigeria. The project is funded through December 31, 2010 with possibility for extension.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director Technical Services (DTS) supervises and coordinates the Technical Services Group, ensuring that the most appropriate intervention happens at the right time, in the right place, and with the right partners and collaborators. The Director Technical Services has senior management responsibility for the coordination and timely implementation of MARKETS core value/supply chain program and its Global Food Security Response program. The Technical Services Director also has a leading role in the development of new, more effective data collection and monitoring techniques that feed into MARKETS overall M&E system and in coordinating the integration of biodiversity efforts into MARKETS commodity programs.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

As directed by the Managing Director (MD) MARKETS, the DTS is charged with supervision of activities, directly or via delegation, as appropriate. These include but are not limited to the following:

* Provide overall supervision and management of MARKETS technical staff as requested by the Managing Director MARKETS;
* Provide overall management for the coordination and timely implementation of MARKETS core value/supply chain program and its Global Food Security Response program;
* In collaboration with the Business Services Director, mobilize and coordinate central technical services to support the elaboration and implementation project activities
* In collaboration with the Business Services Director, elaborate technical program and budget documents, coordinate and supervise the preparation of quarterly and annual work plans.
* Represent MARKETS in forums, technical meetings, promotional events, etc. as requested by the MD MARKETS;
* Evaluate annually the performance of all technical staff.
* Provide technical advice and support to the Business Services Director for the organization and implementation of MARKETS' business partnership development program;
* Supervise the elaboration of TORs, in collaboration with the Business Services Director, for local and overseas providers of technical services to support BPO activities and programs;
* Ensure the technical support necessary to the Special Activities Fund (SAF) Manager for the efficient and effective operations of the SAF.
* Coordinate the integration of biodiversity efforts into MARKETS commodity programs.
* Provide a leading role in the development of new, more effective data collection and monitoring techniques that feed into MARKETS overall M&E system. This may include the use of GIS to help visualize impact of MARKETS interventions.
* Liaise with institutional partners to carry forward initiatives to accelerate the diffusion of new crop varieties and technologies in a market-driven context.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education: Minimum M.Sc. in agricultural sciences or equivalent

Work: West Africa experience required. Nigeria experience preferred.

Skills: Proven leadership skills; strong writing ability. English fluency. Computer literacy.

Other: Ability to work collaboratively and build alliances with relevant groups, organizations, agencies, businesses, private or public sectors . High level of initiative and creativity. S/he must be a team player, able to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Application instructions: Please email CV and cover letter to jobs@winrock.org