The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a loan front the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the implementation of Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase-I (ATASP-I). The ATASP-I will contribute to the objectives of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the Federal Government by addressing the constraints of Rice. Sorghum and Cassava value chains in four staple crop processing zones of Adani-Omor, Bida-Badeggi, Kano-Jigawa and Kebbi-Sokoto. The Program comprises three complementary and mutually reinforcing components viz: Infrastructure Development; Commodity Value Chain Development; and Program Management. The specific objective of the program is to contribute to food and nutrition security, employment generation, and wealth creation along the priority commodity value chains.

The Program will be implemented through four (4) Zonal Offices. The Zones are: Adani-Omor with Head Office at Awka: Bida-Badeggi with Head Office at Bida; Kano-Jigawa with Head Office at Kano and Kebbi-Sokoto with Head Officer at Birnin Kebbi.

For effective Zonal Program take-off the ATASP-I is constituting a Zonal Program Coordination ream (ZPCT) at each of the 4Nos Zonal Program Head Offices. Consequently, part of the proceeds of the ATASP-I loan will be applied to engage the services of Officers at each of the four (4) Zonal Program Head Offices:

Position: Zonal Outreach Officer

Slots: 4

Main Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Zonal Program Coordinator, the Zonal Outreach Officer will plan, coordinate and supervise implementation of agricultural activities, particularly the agronomic aspects, in addition to delivery of agricultural services in the field, including research and extension.

Specific Dutie

• Participate in the development of manuals on agronomic practices of major food crops in Nigeria.
• Guide and supervise activities of private sector/NGO service providers in time field.
• In collaboration with Research Institutes, guide amid supervise the introduction of new food crop varieties and planting materials from the Africa Rice Centre and the international Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and other regional research centers for adaptation to the local environment.
• Support the work of the ATASP-l in the area rim food crops, especially rice, sorghum, cassava and vegetables.
• Support the Seed Bank program in the area of rice seed production and certification.
• Work with the Agriculture Research Institutes under the Outreach Program to assemble or collate information on all seed varieties tested and approved previously in Nigeria and facilitate the testing of new seed varieties: multiplication, adaptation, testing and observation nurseries farmers' fields during the growing period.
• Train Agriculture staff and newly hired staff as needed.
• Propose agronomic and environmental implementation guidelines for various agriculture activities.
• Participate in environmental impact assessment of project activities is collaboration with she Ministry of Environment and other relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in technical discussions and activities pertaining to the design of agriculture activities and programs and in the implementation of programs and projects in the held.
• Assist in carrying out other tasks as assigned by the Zonal Program Coordinator and or National Outreach Specialist at the NPCT.

Qualification and Experience

• Self motivated, Team player, able to work with minimum supervision.
• Willingness to work in rural settings.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication outreach skills.
• At least a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture. A Master's degree in Agronomy will he added advantage.
• At least 8 years work experience in rural-based agricultural development activities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, co-ordinate, monitor, and report on his/Her own work plan.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Computer literacy with proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Word and Excel.
• Familiarity with results-based management.
• Working knowledge of the operational modalities of national and international NGO's is desirable.

Location and Reporting
Officers of the ATASP-1 will be located at the Zonal Program Headquarters, reporting to their respective Zonal Program Coordinators.

Terms of Appointment
Maximum of five years, renewable every year subject to satisfactory performance. The performance criteria will be the indicator for assessing every officer.

Application Closing Date
13th August, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit ten (10) copies of his/her application. All application should be addressed to the following addresses, depending on the State and Stable Crop Processing Zone of Interest:

Adani-Omor Stable Crop Processing Zone
Enugu State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture,
No 1, Garden Avenue,
Enugu State.

Anambra State:
The Hon. Commissioner,
Anambra State Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development,
ADP Compound, Kwata Junction,
Km 41 Enugu, Onitsha Express Road,
Awka,
Anambra State.

Bida-Badeggi Staple Crop Processing Zone
Niger State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Niger State Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development,
Abdulkarim Lafene Secretariat,
Minna,
Niger State.

Kano-Jigawa Stable Crop Processing Zone
Kano State:
Kano State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources,
No 1, Bida Road,
Off Post Office Road,
By Civic Centre Road,
Kano State.

Jigawa State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Jigawa State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources,
Block B, New State Secretariat Complex,
Dutse,
Jigawa State.

Kebbi-Sokoto Stable Crop Processing Zone
Kebbi State:
The Permanent Secretary,
Kebbi State Ministry of Agriculture,
Gwadan Gwaji State Secretariat Complex,
Birnin Kebbi,
Kebbi State.

Sokoto State:
The IFAD-CBARDP Coordinator,
ADP Premisis,
Abdullahi Fodio Road,
Sokoto State.

All application must be addressed and delivered to the above address. Applicants should ensure that the position applied for as well as State and the Zones are clearly written on the top right hand corner of the envelope.

Note: Only Short listed candidates will be contacted.