Jobs at Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture ( CNFA )

CNFA is a not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to stimulating economic growth in the agricultural sector by nurturing entrepreneurship, private enterprise and market linkages. CNFA specializes in fostering private sector investments in training, new technologies and marketing as a means to increase the overall competitiveness of agricultural value chains, to expand exports, and to develop skills in the rural workforce. CNFA assists smallholders in increasing household-level food security and nutrition through improved agricultural practices, introduction of new varieties, diversification of crop production, food preservation and storage, development of farmer-based organizations (FBOs) and strengthened linkages to markets. We are recruiting to fill the position below:   Job Title: Admin & Finance Specialist Location: Kaduna Project Background

• CNFA is currently seeking applications from qualified candidates for the USAID funded Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestle Maize Quality Improvement Partnership (M-QIP) project. This project will focus on enhancing the quality and safety of maize and soybeans in the Kaduna State by reducing aflatoxin and other contaminants.

• The Admin & Finance Specialist will be responsible for the overall financial, administrative, and procurement management of the project. This position reports directly to the Team Leader and is based in Kaduna.

• Manage all administrative, financial, and procurement processes;
• Ensure smooth implementation of project financial activities, including (but not limited to): timely and accurate bank reconciliations, invoicing, monitoring of expenditure levels against budget and funding obligations, financial projections, submission of monthly financial reports to CNFA HQ, etc.;
• Oversee basic bank transfers and office accounting;
• Ensure timely payments to consultants and vendors.
• Oversee the management of the financial filing system (both paper and electronic), in coordination with CNFA’s internal controls;
• Oversee project start up and close out including country registration, VAT and other tax related issues, management of country bank accounts, etc.;
• Other duties as assigned;

• Nigerian National;
• Previous experience working in Kaduna State preferred;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience providing administrative and financial support;
• Minimum of a Bachelors' degree or Higher National Diploma in Administration or Finance, or a professional certificate in administration or finance;
• Knowledge of banking and cash management activities;
• Ensure all financial and procurement activities are in compliance with CNFA and USAID policies;
• Manage procurement of project supplies, services, and other items in accordance with CNFA and USAID policies;
• Ability to work well in diverse teams but also productive working individually with minimum supervision;
• Prior USAID or other international donor experience, knowledge of USAID regulations strongly preferred;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe applications;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Oral and written fluency English mandatory.

• CNFA is currently seeking applications from qualified candidates for the USAID funded Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestle Maize Quality Improvement Partnership (M-QIP) project.
• This project will focus on enhancing the quality and safety of maize and soybeans in the Kaduna State by reducing aflatoxin and other contaminants.

• The Training and Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for one of three zones within the Kaduna State that oversees the training and technical knowledge of 40 volunteer trainers that provide support to farmers, input suppliers, and grain aggregators in mitigating aflatoxin and other contaminant levels.
• This position reports directly to the Senior Technical Advisor and is based in Kaduna.

• Support implementation of project activities within the assigned region, with specific attention to achievement of planned projects impacts, in line with project documents and donor standards;
• Ensure that the volunteer trainers delivery quality and accurate trainings to beneficiaries at all time and regularly assess their knowledge and abilities and provide support where needed;
• Ensure proper and valid data collection from project beneficiaries to support monitoring and evaluation;
• Facilitate the delivery of training and technical assistance to volunteer trainers and beneficiaries per guidance from the Senior Technical Advisor;
• Facilitate and participate in training events scheduled in the assigned region;
• Lead site visits, provide relevant information and conduct presentations on assigned projects for M-QIP management, USAID and Nestle representatives, other interested parties, etc. as requested;
• Conduct regular GIS mapping activities that monitor aflatoxin and other contaminant levels in their assigned areas using approved testing techniques;
• Maintain regular communication flows with project beneficiaries and volunteer trainers to assess progress, challenges, successes, and divergence from planned activities;
• Other duties as assigned;

• Nigerian National;
• Previous experience working in northern Nigeria, or specifically Kaduna state strongly preferred;
• Experience conducting trainings and managing field activities;
• Familiarity with agricultural extension and value chain development;
• Familiarity with GPS mapping and tagging and other GIS topics;
• Knowledge of aflatoxin mitigation techniques at the production, harvest, post-harvest, and storage stage preferred;
• Minimum of a Bachelors’ degree or Higher National Diploma in Agronomy, or a closely related field;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience required, previous work with USAID or other international donor funded programs preferred;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Oral and written fluency in Hausa and English mandatory.