Universal Careers is a Human Resource agency founded to help exceptional candidates and international clients who are interested in living and working in the biggest economy in Africa - Nigeria.

Good clients and excellent candidates go hand in hand and the mix of the two is absolutely essential for success, it is all about people.

At Universal Careers we are a small team of industry specialists, who are servicing our clients with bespoke HR solutions. No two clients are the same, so our approach to each Client is unique. We have a large network of consultants all-over the world with whom we build teams depending on the client and the specific task at hand.

POSITION : Irrigation Specialist/Business Development Manager – Irrigation 

Job Summary

Perform Drip and Centre Pivot irrigation system installation, maintenance and repair works for varying categories of public and private sector clients, including but not limited to, designing new and redesigning existing irrigation systems; conduct studies to determine deficiencies or ineffective water flow/distribution; analyze water loss and layout of irrigation systems; participate in determining strategies for new and existing irrigation systems.

Specific Tasks

Lead a team of technicians and other workers for a given irrigation system project
Be in-charge of and advise on needed tools and materials for projects, including its inventory
Responsible for setting parameters on the use of materials and services within the approved financial budgets of the irrigation projects
Collate relevant information needed in initiating an irrigation project; This information may include a site’s historical data pertaining to an irrigation system’s condition or its spare parts condition.
Counsel clients in terms of water usage that may increase a company’s productivity and decrease their cost
Be in charge of evaluation and planning of a competent irrigation system for a particular site or company.
Monitor the system of irrigation system in terms of its usability and its maintenance programs.
Be in charge of directing needed workers in irrigation system projects

Skills/Competencies

Possession of certifications in terms of irrigation management systems and efficiency in customer service orientation
Candidate to be endowed with mathematical abilities in terms of costing and problem solving
Enjoy outdoor work
Must be Physically fit
Enjoy manual activities
Able to work as part of a small team

Experience

A minimum of 5-7 years hands-on experience in the design, installation, maintenance and repair of Drip and Centre Pivot irrigation systems is a must for this role.
Where applicable, evidence of past jobs completed may be required.

Qualifications:                    

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural/Water Resources Engineering or equivalent from a recognized university.
A Masters degree in relevant field will be an added advantage

POSITION : Policy & Programme Manager 

Primary Relationships

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Department: Programmes
Directly supervises: Programme Specialist, Payments; Programme Specialist, Agent
Networks; Programme Specialist, Inclusive Products

Manages external relationships with:Private sector actors including financial services providers, agent aggregators, payment services providers, technology providers, industry associations; as well as public sector actors including regulators, policy makers and Federal & State Ministries,

Departments, Agencies (MDAs)

Principal Responsibilities and Accountabilities

The role will include, but not be limited to, the following responsibilities and accountabilities:

Management of Our client’s Programme Specialists

Oversee the Programme Specialists to ensure that Our client develops and executes its strategic objectives across its Strategic Areas of Payments, Agent Networks, and Inclusive Products
Manage the Programme Specialists to document the status of all Our client’s Strategic Areas in terms of key stakeholders, industry associations, policies, regulatory framework, impediments to growth, and barriers to access for the low income population
Ensure that Our client provides thought leadership in all of its Strategic Areas and builds the capacity of key stakeholders
Use innovative approaches to develop a holistic, effective and efficient programme delivery process that enables the Programme Specialists to meet their objectives
Based on research findings and interaction with stakeholders, work with Programme Specialists to produce succinct focus/strategy notes on Our client’s Strategic Areas, which clearly identify opportunities for growing the sector and advancing the organisation’s financial inclusion agenda
Ensure that the Programme Specialists keep abreast of major developments in each of Our client’sStrategic Areas in Nigeria and other relevant jurisdictions

Document and Deepen Knowledge Related to the Cross-cutting Themes

For each Cross-cutting Theme:

Document and maintain an overview of the current landscape in Nigeria in terms of key stakeholders, industry associations, policies, regulatory frameworks, impediments to growth and barriers to access
Identify gaps and key opportunities to inform Our client’s strategic planning processes
Provide analysis of the main developments in relevant jurisdictions, particularly for countries with similar demographic profiles to Nigeria
Identify key areas in which additional research or information is required, and commission the necessary research in conjunction with the Research Manager
Disseminate research findings to key external stakeholders and ensure that they are used toinform policy reforms, inform development of products and channels that effectively serve women, develop effective financial education programmes, and/or stimulate innovation, in line with Our client’s strategic objectives

Development and Execution of Our client’s Strategies for the Cross-cutting Themes

Develop and implement strategies to promote financial inclusion for women and for people based in Northern Nigeria
Develop and implement strategies to increase financial capability of Nigerians
Ensure that the Cross-cutting Themes are embedded into Our client’s strategic work to promotepayments, agent networks and inclusive products

With the agreement of the CEO, work with external consultants and technical assistance providers
Identify, explore and understand various policy reforms, innovative approaches, products andsolutions that would increase financial capability of low income Nigerians, and financial inclusion for women and Northern Nigerians

Contribute to the development of the financial inclusion sector and Our client’s position as a thoughtleader by producing succinct focus/strategy notes, based on research findings and interaction with stakeholders, that clearly identify opportunities for advancing financial inclusion in Nigeria

In conjunction with the Innovation Fund Manager, identify and develop a pipeline of projectsrelated to women, Northern Nigeria and financial capability for the Innovation Fund; and review relevant grant applications and make funding recommendations

Support the Development of Enabling Policies to Drive Financial Inclusion in Nigeria

Conduct research to determine the most effective and appropriate financial inclusion policies, and produce succinct policy notes outlining how they could be implemented in Nigeria
Produce evidence-based policy positions that underpin Our client’s advocacy work in the StrategicAreas and Cross-cutting Themes

Monitor, review and evaluate current policies and regulations in Nigeria for Our client’s StrategicAreas and Cross-cutting Themes that support and promote access to financial services

Identify and develop advocacy opportunities in Our client’s Strategic Areas and Cross-cutting Themes that promote financial inclusion in Nigeria
Work with senior government representatives to develop and implement policies that promote financial inclusion, and identify and resolve related challenges
Monitor the impact of new policy initiatives that promote financial inclusion in Nigeria, and highlight those that are due to Our client’s intervention, as part of Our client’s performance management (Logical Framework reporting)
Work closely with the Head of the CBN’s Financial Inclusion Secretariat to support monitoringand delivery of relevant objectives in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy

Stakeholder Management

Continuously cultivate and deepen strategic partnerships with key stakeholders (including leading financial institutions that can serve as ‘financial inclusion champions’) that have a role in deepening financial inclusion in Nigeria and provide opportunities to support the development of Our client’s programme areas
Organise stakeholder events to discuss and debate pertinent issues that will support and drive the deployment of large scale formal financial inclusion initiatives in Nigeria
Where required, lead the Programmes Team in designing and constituting working groups orsimilar bodies, including regulators and operators, in order to promote the development and implementation of innovative, relevant, affordable and reliable financial products/services for the low income population in Nigeria

Support the Communications Officer and Chief Operating Officer in developing and executing effective marketing strategies for key stakeholders that increase awareness of the issues limiting the growth of financial inclusion and provide recommendations for addressing these issues
Represent Our client at public events and in public communications, as directed by the CEO

Additional Responsibilities

Provide strategic oversight and maintain accountability to the CEO on the progress andperformance of Our client’s Strategic Areas and Cross-cutting Themes

Identify and take actions to mitigate any risks associated with the Programmes Department
Manage the budget and track expenditure for Our client’s Strategic Areas and Cross-cutting Themes, as directed by the CEO
Take responsibility for own continuous professional development by proactively identifying and participating in formal/informal learning opportunities
Perform any other duties as required by the CEO

Staff Development

Lead, coach, and mentor the Programme Specialists to ensure customer focus and high standards of delivery
Ensure that any output from the Programmes Department meets Our client’s high standards of delivery
Develop a learning culture by sharing best practices and successes between the Programmes

Department and different parts of the organisation

Identify and provide ongoing formal/informal capacity development opportunities
Monitor, manage and report on the performance of Programme Specialists, including setting performance objectives and timelines, and conducting monthly reviews and annual performance appraisals

Job Competencies and Capabilities

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

Master’s degree in Economics, International Development, Finance, Business Administration or other related discipline, from a reputable institution
Minimum of ten years’ management experience within financial services and/or development institutions, including some expertise in product design and development
Diverse financial sector experience (banking/management consultancy/development/research)
In-depth experience (a minimum of five years) in 2 or more of Our client’s Strategic Areas and/or

Cross-cutting Themes

At least three years’ experience in undertaking and managing policy related initiatives
Deep understanding of the technical aspects of the Nigerian financial system
Demonstrated experience working in a complex or pioneering environment and in managing, and creating opportunities for change
Strong relationship management experience with the ability to effectively engage with a diverse

range of stakeholders at the highest levels

Experience in formulating, developing and implementing new strategies

Desirable

Project management experience and relevant certification
Financial modelling experience

Skills

Inspires and leads teams to achieve results and high standards of excellence
Works independently and as part of a team
Highly numerate, with strong analytical and problem solving skills
Proven ability to produce concise, well-structured and very high quality reports and presentations
Ability to synthesise and interpret large amounts of information and data
Experience in evaluating and monitoring proposals
Very high level of attention to detail and accuracy
Very strong verbal and written communication skills
Very strong presentation skills
Strong public speaking skills
Effective influencing and relationship building skills, including at senior levels
Strong advocacy skills
Advanced level competency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Fluency in other languages desirable

Personal Qualities

Commitment to the financial inclusion agenda
Energetic leader with a strong vision and passionate commitment for Our client’s strategic objectives
Gravitas, credibility and ability to initiate and develop strategic partnerships and alliances
Highly organised and efficient; able to multi-task effectively and prioritise work based on minimal direction and multiple competing priorities
Works well under pressure and able to meet deadlines
Can-do approach
Committed to delivering high quality results, with cost-effective use of resources
Driven and a self-starter
Innovative
Proactive with high levels of initiative
Resourceful with an enterprising attitude that is quick to search out alternative solutions to needs or problems
Positive, flexible, supportive attitude to work
Exhibits a helpful behaviour beyond strict job requirements
Discreet and respects confidentiality
Integrity and high personal ethical standards
Confident
Resilient

Remuneration: Competitive