Latest Job Openings at Propcom Mai-karfi

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Propcom Mai-karfi (PM) is a market-driven programme funded by UK aid which aims to reduce poverty in northern Nigeria by intervening in markets that matter the most to poor households. We are recruiting to fill the position below:     Job Title: Consultant for Feasibility Assessment - Commercially driven agricultural extension provision: Industry analysis and intervention opportunities Location: Abuja Description

• Feasibility assessment - Commercially driven agricultural extension provision: Industry analysis and intervention opportunities

Background

• Propcom Mai-Karfi is a DFID programme aimed at increasing incomes for the poor in northern Nigeria through enhanced employment opportunities and improved productivity in selected agricultural market systems in northern Nigeria. Propcom Mai-karfi recently was awarded a 3 years extension (2018-2021) with particular focus on the North East (NE) States and 3 North West states- Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states. The aim is to influence INGOs in the NE states to shift from humanitarian to development and to implement market recovery and systems development programmes across the targeted states.
• Over the years and from our work in northern Nigeria, we have discovered information services to be a primary need in northern Nigeria and can make valuable contributions to market systems on their own.. Faced with logistical and financial challenges, agricultural extension system in most part of the country has become weak or non-existent. This is not unexpected given that extension service is traditionally funded by government whose funds have competing priorities. Although the gnawing access gap is an opportunity for other players to provide a fee-paying service to rural farmers, this has not happened perhaps due to the fact that agri extension is perceived to be a ‘free service’.
• So far, PM’s attempts at addressing agri-extension has been intervention-based, working with individual private sector partners to address specific information needs that will unlock farmer productivity within the partner’s sphere of influence. For instance, in the agricultural inputs space, PM has cost-shared the partners investments in setting up demo plots, using field agents for interpersonal communication with farmers and the distribution of flyers. In other cases like poultry and livestock, radio programmes and community outreaches have been deployed through veterinary partners, all of these in an attempt to pass on new technology, develop farmer capacity, provide business advisory and facilitate empowerment. Whilst this has been largely successful, it has been limited in scale and failed to address the underlying missing market capacity - absence of agricultural extension service providers.
• No doubt, the agricultural extension market system is crucial to sustainably building the necessary capacity amongst farmers for the expected growth and development in agricultural sector in Nigeria. PM is yet to survey the market to determine availability of commercially-driven extension service organisations, challenges to growing the sector, farmers willingness to pay for extension services or engagement in any pilot directed at addressing the core constraints to extension services. In view of this, there is need to undertake an assessment to identify the challenges and opportunities for creating innovative solutions to address agricultural service provision in the North. Innovative solutions that will leverage ICT to reach more farmers in hard-to-reach locations such as in the NE. Ultimately, Propcom Mai-karfi envisions a future where smallholder farmers understand the value of Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) and are willing and pay for extension services.

Duration of Assignment:

• The assignment is to be completed in four weeks from date of commissioning.

Purpose

• PM is seeking the services of consultant(s) who will engage to conduct an analysis of the extension service delivery space/industry in northern Nigeria, with emphasis to the following states: Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba.

Activities The activities are divided into 3 components with associated outputs: Component 1 - Analysis of the onsite agricultural extension service market:

• 1. Mapping of existing extension service organisations in the region, private and public-run, including academic institutions:
  • o outlining active and inactive organisations/states
  • o Extension services density across selected states – extension workers to farmers ratio and reasons for same.
• Qualitative survey to identify active and non-active extension workers:
  • a. Scope of work
  • b. Reported business model and profits
  • c. key drivers of success and challenges
• Outline viable onsite agricultural extension models:

Output:

• Database/inventory with GPS location of ‘viable’ and dormant agricultural extension agents and their organisations.

Component 2 - Willingness to pay study:

• Farmers willingness to pay for agricultural information; what services are they willing to pay for, types of information and delivery channel
• Agricultural input suppliers’ willingness to pay and use the services of extension workers to drive product knowledge
• Identify those companies (input suppliers) willing to pay to leverage extension service providers’ network.
• Identify off-takers willing to pay for market information to help with aggregation.

Output:

• List of agri-inputs organisations and off-takers willing to pay and use the services of extension agents.

Component 3: offsite agricultural extension market (E-extension):

• Identify existing platforms and providers of E-extension services in Nigeria
• Meet with service providers to understand and document their business model, reach and comparative costs
• Recommend affordable e-extension platforms to pilot information dissemination to farmers, with feedback mechanism– affordable to Smallholders and economically sustainable as a business.

Outputs:

• Viability report: Outline the viability of disseminating GAP information via different electronic channels to farmers.
• Contact list of E-extension service providers - scope of crops and livestock and geographic coverage if applicable.

Deliverable The expected deliverables are as follow:

• Research plan, with indicators and method of assessment of agriculture extension service providers', smallholder farmers’ and private sectors’ willingness to pay and cost analysis of e-extension services
• A detailed report outlining the following:
  • The evolution of extension services and the key issues in northern Nigeria
  • Opportunities for onsite and offsite extension service provision
  • List of viable extension service providers/organisations (private or public, and electronic)
  • Recommendations on commercially viable options for targeted beneficiaries
  • Annexes to include source/reference documents
• Presentation of findings to PM and stakeholders.

Methodology The general approach and the main steps to be followed to conduct the assignment is:

• Desk review of the agricultural extension programs in northern Nigeria
• Quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis
• Submission of a report within stated timeframe.

Qualification and Required Competency

• Advanced University Degree in Economics, Development Policy, Agriculture, or related fields
• Good knowledge of the agricultural sector and extension services related issues in northern Nigeria and West Africa
• Experience in agricultural market research
• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory and government policy around agricultural extension in Nigeria.
• Project management experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Fluency in Hausa is an added advantage.

Interested and qualified candidates/firms should send a proposal containing the following below where applicable via email to: [email protected] and copy [email protected] Using the subject line “Feasibility Assessment-Agric Extension Services”.

• A brief outline of the organisation and services offered, including:
  • Full legal name, jurisdiction of incorporation and address of the company
  • Year business was established
  • Copy of CAC registration and tax identification number
• Proposed research plan, indicating how you will undertake each component of the assessment
• Evidence of similar work done
• Contact details of relevant references
• CV of Lead Consultant.

  Job Title: Technical Implementation Consultant Location: Abuja Background

• Partnering with the private sector and government agencies, Propcom Mai-karfi uses a ‘making markets work for the poor (M4P)’ approach to create systemic changes in agricultural and rural markets in northern Nigeria so that poor people get a better deal for their businesses and have access to vital goods and services.
• During its first phase which ran from 2012 to 2017, Propcom Mai-karfi raised the incomes of 628,000 poor men and women in northern Nigeria by a cumulative NGN 9 billion. The programme also stimulated more than NGN17.6 billion in private sector investment into the rural economy.
• Now in its 3-year extension phase which runs till March 2021, PM is focused on post-conflict market development and climate smart agriculture initiatives in the north east (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi states), as well as continuing markets for the poor interventions in the DFID partner states of Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna. During this phase, the programme aims to increase the incomes of an additional 350,000 rural poor people by 2021.

Location and duration of assignment:

• The Consultant will work from the Procom Mai-Karfi office in Abuja with regular travel across Nigeria.
• This position will be effective from 1st April 2019 to September 2019.

Reporting:

• The Consultant will be working closely with the Tier Lead and the Market Manager in charge of mechanisation.

Purpose PM is seeking technical experts with business development experience to support programme activities in the following areas:

• Tractor/Mechanisation
• Irrigation for Rural Poor
• ICT4Agric
• Labour Saving Devices
• Clean Energy.

Activities

• Conduct market analysis, strategic planning and branding of selected themes other partners across Nigeria
• Identify new partners that will enhance and expand activities in these programmatic areas
• Build effective value-adding relationships between selected areas and prospective and existing agents, partners, clients and farmers
• Identify and monitor business opportunities for selected areas
• Develop and oversee implementation of business strategy for selected areas
• Investigate existing products and services and conduct competition analysis to measure them against competitors
• Develop and oversee implementation of an operations plan with effective means of handling business deals operations and activities, and measures for improving customer satisfaction and loyalty
• Organize and manage the development of an investment promotion strategy.
• Carry out research and associated studies according to the programme’s needs, and the development priorities of selected themes
• Any additional duties and activities assigned.

Outputs / Deliverables

• Submission of detailed final reports on each area of work covered with information on the effectiveness and efficiency of strategies used.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Agriculture or other related areas.
• 3-5 years of experience in agricultural mechanisation or a related area
• A proven track record of providing actionable solutions in business and enterprise development
• Knowledge in conducting value chain analysis
• Knowledge in developing business plans and concept notes
• Knowledge in strategy development
• Experience in implementing development projects
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills
• Excellent organizational, time management skills, communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
• Critical thinker and problem solver.

Demonstrated ability to manage/deliver the Services in terms of:

• Proven subject matter expertise
• Past relevant performance
• Availability
• The daily fee rate to be charged for providing the services.

Interested and qualified candidates should send their Curriculum Vitae with relevant experience to: [email protected] and copy [email protected] , [email protected]     Job Title: Market Analyst and Business Development Consultant Location: Abuja Description

• Terms of reference for: Market Analyst and Business Development (with experience in the energy sector)

Background

• Partnering with the private sector and government agencies, Propcom Mai-karfi uses a ‘making markets work for the poor (M4P)’ approach to create systemic changes in agricultural and rural markets in northern Nigeria so that poor people get a better deal for their businesses and have access to vital goods and services. During its first phase which ran from 2012 to 2017, Propcom Mai-karfi raised the incomes of 628,000 poor men and women in northern Nigeria by a cumulative NGN 9 billion. The programme also stimulated more than NGN17.6 billion in private sector investment into the rural economy.
• Now in its 3-year extension phase which runs till March 2021, PM is focused on post-conflict market development and climate smart agriculture initiatives in 9 states of north (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba and Yobe), as well as continuing markets for the poor interventions in the DFID partner states of Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna. During this phase, the programme aims to increase the incomes of an additional 350,000 rural poor people by 2021.
• Early in 2018, PM supported a private sector partner by investing to set-up fabrication sites in Jigawa and Adamawa states and facilitating awareness creation by developing a marketing strategy and conducting marketing campaigns (radio jingles, market storms and demonstrations, talk shows and cooking demonstrations) for improved efficiency cook stoves in rural households of Northern Nigeria. The aim was to provide a sustainable solution to the energy needs of rural households, contribute to the mitigation of Green House Gases (GHGs) and reduce deforestation. These fabrication facilities have been up and running and the partner has been able to engage with the market to produce and sell stoves, either subsidized or at full commercial price. Till date, only about 10,000 stoves have been sold (over 80% at a subsidized price to rural households). Assumptions regarding uptake of improved efficiency cook stoves by target beneficiaries have proved incorrect; the stoves produced by PM’s partner are amongst the cheapest on the market, yet the rate of uptake remain low. Also, there are indications that awareness is relatively low, and the targets may not be the very rural poor who would rather utilize materials within their community to improve fuel efficiency.
• At this point, PM wants to undertake an evaluation around who should be target beneficiaries, assess the business viability and marketing strategies for reaching the poor with improved efficiency cook stoves; and seek multiple private sector partnerships to drive the intervention across programme states.

Duration of the Assignment:

• This assessment is expected to be undertaken within 30days, before the end of April 2019.

Purpose

• PM is seeking a market analyst with business development experience in the energy sector to conduct a market analysis to identify the market opportunities and potential partners for the supply and marketing of energy-saving cook stoves in the 9 Northern states of Nigeria.

Activities

• Review PM current strategy
• Map out producers and suppliers of improved/clean cook stoves in Nigeria; brands, product features, price, their business model (or distribution chain and reach, promotional activities) and the perceived or known end users of the products
• Sample major state distributors to determine the level of awareness for improved cook stoves and their customer profile
• Identify the market segment with the most potential for purchasing improved/clean cook stoves - middle class, urban poor, rural poor, catering businesses, corner shops, etc
  • Clear indication of their current energy costs
  • Outline of the value proposition for investing in improved/clean cook stoves over current practice - Total costs, efficiency, performance, etc
  • GBL PC01 SOP01 TL07 Request for quotation 4 / 5
• Estimate the market size and growth opportunities for improved/clean cook stoves and its by-products
• Determine other existing opportunities for addressing the energy needs of rural households through marketing solutions (4Ps +C)

Outputs

• Market Analysis report containing market size and growth potential for cook stoves and its by-products, and other opportunities for addressing energy needs of rural households other than the cookstoves
• Recommended customer segments for improved cook stoves and options of business models to deploy
• Contact list of improved/clean cook stoves importers/fabricators and their business model
• List of those fabricators and importers that have indicated interest to co-invest with PM in target states.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• 3 to 4 years’ experience in business development and analysis
• Demonstrable experience in development consultancy and providing alternate environmentally friendly energy solutions
• Computer literate with excellent communication skills
• Experience in providing succinct market analysis report
• Ability to pull a team together in order to work effectively.
• Ability to work within the specified time frame.
• Proven understanding regarding dynamics in the energy sector of Nigeria.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit as one attachment a CV to: [email protected] and copy [email protected] Using “Energy Market Analyst and Business Developer” as the subject of the email. Method of assessment

• There will be an evaluation event, and individuals/Agencies will be assessed based on their ability to provide the plan of how they intend to carryout task as stated under the purpose and quality of their proposal.

  Application Deadline 20th March, 2019.

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