Project Manager Horticulture at SNV

In its new Strategic Plan period (2019 – 2022), SNV will more explicitly aim for systems change during project preparation and implementation by strengthening institutions and kick-starting markets that help many more to escape poverty beyond our projects. We will continue to position ourselves as a premium organization and invest in making knowledge flow to and from the frontline.

Our Climate and Business Product builds on SNV’s extensive experience working with the private sector and provides an approach to support agri- and energy-businesses to increase productivity and incomes, in a way that responds to growing climate risks. This requires transforming the overall functioning of the agriculture and energy sectors, the relationships within them, and the technologies adopted. To drive the sectors towards more climate-smart outcomes requires a conducive enabling environment and innovative finance. Our interventions help to kick-start markets and leverage finance, providing lasting climate solutions at scale. Our growing portfolio of work offers demonstrable climate-smart business cases that can be further adapted and scaled by others. Our Climate and Business Product builds on SNV’s extensive experience working with the private sector and provides an approach to support agri- and energy-businesses to increase productivity and incomes, in a way that responds to growing climate risks. This requires transforming the overall functioning of the agriculture and energy sectors, the relationships within them, and the technologies adopted. To drive the sectors towards more climate-smart outcomes requires a conducive enabling environment and innovative finance. Our interventions help to kick-start markets and leverage finance, providing lasting climate solutions at scale. Our growing portfolio of work offers demonstrable climate-smart business cases that can be further adapted and scaled by others.

Project Background

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria is preparing for the release of the tender for a horticulture and food security project in Nigeria. The project aims to contribute to a sustainable transition of Nigeria’s food system: from a system based on food imports, low productivity, and depletion of natural resources, to an integrated, inclusive sustainable food system, capable of providing sufficient, healthy, and nutritious food to a growing (urban) population. The project locations are expected to be Kaduna and Kano states, and the project office to be located in Abuja.

The Project Manager will steer a team of 5-7 staff in Abuja and additional field staff, and report to the SNV country director based in Mali. The team leader will also represent SNV in Nigeria and has limited additional responsibilities regarding SNV Nigeria profiling and the development of new projects. The project duration is for four years and the total budget 10 million euro.

• Job Position: Project Manager Horticulture Nigeria (contingent on donor award)
• Job Location: Abuja, Nigeria

The Project Manager is responsible for leadership and coordination of program planning and management; coordination of programmatic themes; political analysis and will be in charge of the following:

• Execute overall project management;
• Guide the project set-up, including developing work plans, budgets, and competence table with financial responsibilities and mandates;
• Build, strengthen and manage partnerships with regional governments, key partners, institutions, and stakeholders;
• Manage donor relations;
• Overall management of all human, physical and financial resources related to the project;
• Monitor performance of the project management team to ensure all milestones set in the annual work plan are met, develop mitigation plans to reduce risks, and take corrective actions to remedy any deviation from the work plans;
• Account and report to SNV and the donor on project performance;
• Guide knowledge development, documentation and communication, and branding in close collaboration with the donor;
• Identify follow-up funding and partnership possibilities and business development.
• Manage change processes related to sustainable intensification, market/value chain development, finance, enabling environment, and education in the horticulture sectors.

• A relevant post-graduate qualification in Business Administration, Agronomy, Agricultural Economy or related field;
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive responsibility and work experience in managing and implementing multi-faceted donor-funded development projects, preferably in West-Africa;
• Previous working experience in Nigeria will be a strong asset;
• Several years of experience with agricultural market systems, value chain development, and inclusive business;
• Solid experience in project management, fund management, and budgeting, of which at least three years in a challenging environment;
• Excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with the private sector, civil society, donors, and governments;
• Ability to strategically inspire and energize project teams;
• Multidisciplinary profile to support the different specialists in the team;
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation;
• Demonstrated experience in multi-stakeholder engagement;
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting, and presentation skills;
• Fluency in English is required;
• Willingness to travel to all project locations, including areas with a high-risk profile.
• Experience in horticulture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, fragile economies, and the seed sector will be an advantage.

Contract Duration: 2 years international employment contract with possibility of extension, contingent on donor award

Closing Date:
1st January 2022

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online