Apply: ECOWAS Programme Officer (Agribusiness)

By Development Diaries
November 11, 2020

Deadline: Ongoing

Location: Abuja, Nigeria

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is seeking to fill the position of Programme Officer, Agribusiness and Value Chains Development.

ECOWAS is a 15-member regional group with a mandate of promoting economic integration in all fields of activity of the constituting countries.

Responsibilities

Monitor and coordinate the implementation of ECOWAS regulations on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, etc
Participate in the activities of international agricultural regulatory bodies – IPPC, CODEX, EU standards, FAO standards
Facilitate the analysis and compilation of agrarian systems, agricultural value chains (especially strategic sectors decided by the highest decision-making body of ECOWAS)
Support the professionalisation and structuring of agricultural sectors value chains and related activities in the ECOWAS area (OHADA code versus ECOWAS regulations)
Support the development of tools for mastering the technical routes of production and marketing of high value-added agricultural products in the ECOWAS region
Develop public policy measures and mechanisms to increase market shares for agricultural commodities
Assist in the development of instruments allowing the labeling of ‘made in ECOWAS’ products (in connection with ETLS and the ECOWAS rules of origin) and support the establishment of ECOWAS rural production certification systems
Promote the creation of new outlets, local employment opportunities and promotion of agricultural jobs (reduction of unemployment and the exodus of young people)
Develop and disseminate tools to increase producers’ incomes by reducing post-harvest losses and the added value of agricultural value chain products
Create the conditions for the protection of rural workers against the risk of loss of income (unemployment, illness, old age, work accident)
Develop tools, projects and programme combating unemployment by stimulating new vocations among young graduates towards returning to the land creating wealth through jobs and income generated in value chains
Contribute to the development of a stock exchange for agricultural products
Work on the acquisition of knowledge and know-how, the capitalisation of knowledge and the transfer of skills on agricultural value chains
Facilitate the development of tools of measurement of public policies contributing to a better empowerment and complication of women, young people in professional agricultural umbrella organisations and in the agricultural value chain circuits
Make quantitative and qualitative analysis of agricultural data and participate in the drafting of capitalisation documents
Formulate and develop regional projects and actions on agri-value development chains to allow management to mobilise international funds

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Economy, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Agri-food or related field or any similar field from a recognised university
Five years of professional experience in the field of agri-business, development of agricultural sectors
Demonstrate practical experience in the development of agricultural sectors and markets, including sanitary and phytosanitary standards, etc
Good knowledge of the stakes and problems of the sector of agriculture and food in the ECOWAS area
Skills in agricultural policymaking, strategic planning, institutional and regulatory frameworks
Applied knowledge of ECOWAS policies on agriculture and rural development which may relate to specific field such as ECOWAS policies and regulations
Sound knowledge of logical framework methodology, result-based management and project

To apply and for more information, click here.