IFDC Vacancy in Abuja for a Policy Economist

IFDC is a nonprofit public international organization addressing critical issues such as agricultural sustainability, international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency.
It accomplishes this through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise in developing and transitioning nations.

IFDC's results-oriented projects cover specialties from agribusiness to engineering and technology development, from management information systems to crop nutrient management, policy reform and market development.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Policy Economist Seconded to ECOWAS

Tracking Code: 20120218
Location: Abuja
Type of contract: Full-time
Duration: One-year contract, renewable based on performance and availability of funding
Indicative starting date: January, 2016

Context

• IFDC’s North and West Africa Division (NWAFD) is currently managing two regional projects funded by USAID West Africa (WA): the West Africa Fertilizer Program (WAFP) and the C4 Cotton Partnership (C4CP). Both projects seek to directly support USAID/WA’s efforts to sustainably increase agricultural productivity in the region and its goal for the 2015-2019 performance period of broad-based economic growth and resilience advanced by West Africans.
• Both projects’ ability to achieve their goals hinges on the establishment of effective collaboration mechanisms with regional institutions that play a critical role in addressing development constraints in West Africa: the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); the West and Central Africa Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD); the West African Economic and Monetary Union (French acronym-UEMOA); the Permanent Inter-States Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (French acronym - CILSS); and the Network of Farmers’ and Agricultural Producers’ Organizations in West Africa (French acronym - ROPPA).

• The incumbent will provide technical assistance needed to improve the ability of both WAFP and C4CP to achieve their goals through the establishment of effective collaboration mechanisms with regional institutions. He/she will:
• Advocate, as appropriate and needed, on behalf of USAID/IFDC initiatives;
• Provide at least monthly updates on all ECOWAS activities related to USAID/IFDC ongoing work and current and potential initiatives;
• Liaise with ECOWAS officials, particularly in the Agriculture Department, regarding regional initiatives and issues related to the fertilizer and cotton sectors;
• Facilitate ECOWAS/IFDC coordination on planned fora, meetings, initiatives and implementation;
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the COPs of WAFP and C4CP or their designees.

• Education: A Master’s degree in Agricultural Policy, Agricultural Economics, Economics or a related field.

• At least five years of professional work experience, preferably in agricultural policy with government or international donor-funded projects/programs in the areas of fertilizer, food security or economic development
• Work experience in ECOWAS Member States (required) and with regional institutions (preferred).
• Demonstrated ethics, integrity and sound judgment;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with staff and counterparts from different countries and cultural backgrounds
• Ability and availability to travel to other countries as required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and French
• Competence in the use of computers and MS Office software
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

• A letter of motivation (maximum one page)
• An updated CV, including three references
• A copy of the highest diploma/degree, as well as training certificates related to the position.
• Original documents are to be presented once the candidate is selected.
• Qualified Nigerians and other West African nationals and women are strongly encouraged to apply;
• No phone calls please. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted