Value Addition Agro-processing Consultant

Focus of the Role

TBI is scoping for a Value Addition Agro-processing expert to support the GIP workstream of the PACE project. This individual will work closely with the Head of Unit, Project Lead, Mechanisation Lead, Value Chain Lead, Good Agronomic Practices Lead among other specialists; supporting them and key states and ministries alongside the Delivery Advisor to facilitate the development of the priority value chains and agricultural markets. This is a short-term independent consultancy contract for 6 months.

Job Introduction

Overview of services (deliverables):

The Project for Agriculture Coordination and Execution (PACE) in the Office of the Vice-President has been set up with responsibility for the coordination of the implementation of two flagship programmes: the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) and the Green Imperative Project (GIP) - a partnership with Brazil to improve access to mechanization and technology in Nigerian agriculture. PACE also supports the Agric for Food and Jobs Plan (AFJP) through overseeing the smallholder farmer enumeration exercise.

Green Imperative Project (GIP)

The Green Imperative Project is a €995m in-kind loan to support the Nigeria-Brazil bilateral development programme. This programme aims to transform the agricultural sector in Nigeria through a total Agricultural Technology Transfer package. The plan is to have service centres in each of the 774 local governments in Nigeria: 632 of these will be Type 1 while the remaining 142 service centres will Type 2 - for Agro-processing.

Key Responsibilities

The agro-processing will be around six value chains:

The main responsibility of the role is to develop the Type 2 Service Centres: this is through improving market-oriented value addition along the selected value chains for economic diversification and strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian processing capacity and quality control. Additionally, the role involves understanding political economy constraints, identifying constraints, gaps and opportunities along the value chain and proposing practical, market and government systems solutions to these constraints. The role will also require travel across Nigeria.

Person Specification

• The role must be filled by a candidate with the right to work in Nigeria
• Significant  experience working in the Agro-processing sector especially with medium to small manufacturing enterprises, producers, traders, enterprise groups, rural financing institutions/banks, and research/policy associations
• Experience in designing and implementing projects aimed at improving manufacturing in agriculture and linkages with markets
• Strong knowledge and demonstrated ability to nurture and/or build effective partnerships with the stakeholders within and outside the agricultural and manufacturing sectors
• Knowledge of the use of ICT and eCommerce in agricultural value chains is desirable and good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools
• Significant Africa experience with a strong preference for Nigerian contextual experience
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision
• Ability to present information in a concise, insightful and structured manner, both in written and oral form
• A relevant University degree

Please note that we may be closing this role earlier due to the high volume of applications received.

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.