JOBS AT THE WEST AFRICA SEED ALLIANCE (WASA)

THE WEST AFRICA SEED ALLIANCE (WASA): The USAID-funded West Africa Seed Alliance (WASA) SEEDS project has as its primary objective to establish and support a sustainable private seed industry capable of ensuring that small scale farmers have affordable, timely and reliable access to improved and high quality seeds varieties and planting materials by playing a leading role in the growth and development of variable agricultural input systems in USAID and WASA, supporting the overall growth of the west Africa agricultural sector, (WASA) and improving the agricultural enabling environment. The USAID funded project maximizing Agricultural Revenue and key Enterprises in Targeted sites (Markets) project aims of expanding economic opportunities by increasing agricultural, WASA, USAID, output and value added processing. In a collaborative effort between WASA/SEEDS and MARKETS. The WASA/SEEDS project is seeking suitable candidates for the following positions.

Job Positions:

COUNTRY COORDINATOR (m/f)

The WASA/SEEDS Country coordinator will be based in Abuja and will report to the WASA/SEEDS chief of party based in Ghana. Duties include
Coordinate all seed and agribusiness activities carried out by WASA/SEEDS in Nigeria and in support of the MARKETS project aims at expanding economic opportunities by increasing agricultural output and value added processing in collaborative effort between WASA/SEEDS and MARKETS. The WASA/SEEDS project is seeking available candidates for the following positions

Country Coordinator (M/F): The WASA/SEEDS Country coordinator will be based in Abuja and will report to the WASA/SEEDS Chief of party based in Ghana. Duties include:
Coordinate all seed and agribusiness activities carried out by WASA/SEEDS in Abuja/Nigeria and in support of the MARKETS project:
Manage the WASA/SEEDS term in Kana and Abuja, Develop annual work plans and budgets and make sure that agreed-upon deliverable are met. He/She will be responsible for reporting on the project progress on the work. Closely with the MARKETS team on appropriate strategies strengthen the seed value chain in Nigeria. Develop and appropriate M&E scheme for the project and report on M&E indicators.

Qualifications:
Minimum of a Msc in Agric Science or marketing. Minimum of ten years in Agricultural sector development (USAID project experience will be a plus).
Excellent knowledge of the Nigeria agricultural sector with emphasis on agre-processing and value addition.
Experience in seed sector development will be a plus, Experience in the private agricultural sector at senior level, Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, Computer literate and Nigeria national.

SEEDS SYSTEM MANAGER (M/F):
The seed systems manager will be based in Abuja and will work under the supervision of the WASA/SEEDS Regional Seed production specialist (based in Bamako, Mali) and will report administratively to the country coordinator based in Abuja Duties include:
Work closely with the Kano based WASA/SEEDS team to maintain wherence and transparency within the programme, Responsible for all seed related program activities in support of the overall MARKETS goals and objectives; Responsible for sourcing improved varieties of key crops (Maize, rice, sorghum, sesame, and cassava) from National, regional and international sources, plan crop demonstrations with agro dealers and farmer netweork. Facilitate seed production in collaboration with WASA/SEEDS partner seed companies/ seed producers that have potential to become fully fledged commercial seed enterprises.

QUALIFICATION:
Minimum Msc Agriculture or related degree with a minimum of 5 years professional practical experience in seed production as well as a background in seed certification, quality control procedures and marketing skills, knowledge of input marketing or agribusiness; strong knowledge of seed policy is a plus; excellent verbal and written communication skills, computer literate with word, Excel, and power point software; fluency in written and spoken English acknowledge of Local Languages is a plus.

MODE OF APPLICATION: Send your CV and a cover Letter including three (3) references to wasanigeriarecuit@gmail.com

Closing DATE: 25 – 04 – 2009.