Federal Ministry of Water Resources Recruitment

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has received a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) towards the cost of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of the credit towards payment for consultancy services in the form of an individual consultants as:

Job Position: Administrative and Finance Officer

Reference No: FMWR / TRIMING / 2020 / INDV / CS / 02
Job Locations: Kano / Jigawa / Zamfara / Sokoto
Name of Project: Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria
Project ID No: P123112

Overview

• The TRIMING Project is seeking to recruit individual Professional Experts (Consultant) in the above-named area with experience in investment operation relating to the management of Farmers Management and Service Centers in TRIMING Project Sites of Kano River Irrigation Scheme (KRIS) Kadawa in Kano State; Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme (HVIS), Auyo in Jigawa State; Bakalori Irrigation Scheme (BIS), Talata Mafara in Zamfara State and Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Scheme (MRVIS), Goronyo in Sokoto State.
• A set of the individual experts working as a Team will under the supervision of their respective FMC Board of Trustees (BoTs) primarily support the TRIMING Project Management Unit (PMU) in the Management of Farmers Management and Service Delivery Centers in each Project Site.
• The four Farmer Management and Service Delivery Centers (FMC5) have been registered under the Nigeria’s Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 (CAMA) as companies limited by shares.

The Objective of the Assignment and Duration:

• The purpose of the FMCs is to address challenges faced by small-scale farmers in four irrigation schemes of BlS HVIS, KRIS, and MRIS. Identified constraints include, but are not limited to, access to quality inputs, mechanization services, advisory services, and credit.
• The FMCs are also envisioned to act as catalysts strengthening managerial capacities of smallholder farmer cooperatives and apex cooperatives that are the majority shareholders in the FMCs.
• The FMCs objective is to transform irrigation agriculture into a commercially viable investment, leading to improved productivity, reduction in post-harvest losses, improved quality of commodities, and a more efficient and predictable marketing system.
• The FMCs are also envisioned to improve farmers’ access to financial services.
• The duration of individual subject matter experts for this assignment will be for initial period of two (2) years, with the possibility of annual renewal for the project duration subject to work requirements and satisfactory performance.

Functions of FMCs
The function of FMC5 for this assignment in liaison with National Project Coordinator (NPC) will primarily include, but not limited to the following:

• Warehouse (and pack houses for tomato) development to encourage large off-taker interest and allow for cleaning, grading, insurance, farmers’ access to credit facilities using warehouse receipt system and long-term storage and improve quality of onward supply. It is expected that warehousing will also help to buffer the price for paddy farmers.
• Facilitation of inputs supply and agro-dealer support and development
• Facilitation of mechanization services
• Facilitation of finance for scheme value chains
• Market facilitation to support establishment of long-term offtake contracts and contribute to the creation of more competitive, inclusive, and resilient market systems
• Provision of technical services and advisory – extension services, business development, accounting, and bookkeeping services to cooperatives, etc.

Job Description
Provide support to FMC management in the following areas:

• Maintain bookkeeping and financial management systems to ensure proper recording and smooth operations in the FMC
• Ensure up-to-date books of accounts for the FMC operations
• Ensure filings of statutory financial returns/reports (deduction, remittance, and filing of local taxes including personal income tax (PAYE) and withholding tax (WHT)
• Review supporting documents to ensure accuracy, relevance, and validity of documents before recording entries
• Maintain FMC bank accounts and prepare monthly bank reconciliation statements, and reconcile the FMC petty cash monthly
• Prepare monthly/annual management account. Initiate and coordinate annual internal and external audit of FMC accounts/books
• Coordinate and ensure that resources (financial, equipment, and other material) are organized and in place to achieve planned targets for production and marketing
• Finalize operation budgets for work plan and coordinate monthly production of cash forecasts to enable effective budget management
• Maintain and coordinate the implementation of accounting and internal control procedures
• Finalize operation budgets for work plan and coordinate monthly production of cash forecasts to enable effective budget management
• Provide support to general manager for implementing a control system to track progress of FMC operational plans, monitor achievement of production and marketing targets, ensuring that variations are identified and addressed promptly through appropriate action
• Support knowledge management within the FMC, establish a central database of contacts, and identify local resources
• Provide other administrative support to staff and farmers as may be required from time to time
• Any other tasks as may be assigned by the general manager.

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting or relevant discipline from an accredited institution.
• He or She must have three to five years’ experience in administrative and accounting fields, experience in an gribusiness organization is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping packages.
• Must be able to use basic packages and spreadsheets to generate presentations and reports; operate confidently on the internet to send e-mail and source information.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Administrative skills and ability to manage deadlines
• Good communication and interpersonal skills on all levels within and outside organization
• Ability to manage and resolve conflict among aggrieved employees
• Knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting and accounting software
• Knowledge of local tax laws and regulations, and their application where and when necessary
• Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Fluency in English and knowledge of Hausa is an added advantage.

Consultant EOI / Shortlisting Criteria

• Interested individual consultants should submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV) with all the necessary document attached such as copies of engagement letters etc. and other supporting information that the CV demonstrates that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services.

The short-listing criteria are:

• Evidence of General qualifications of the consultant (Education, Training, and work Experience
• Adequacy for the Assignment: Evidence of general experience in area of expertise listed above
• Evidence of specific experience in/of particular area of expertise in general management, workshop/ equipment management and administration/finance or similar fields as it is applicable to area of expertise
• Proven experience of project management, administration and financing, especially in Nigeria’s private sector.

Proposed Remuneration
Negotiable.

Job Position: Workshop and Equipment Manager

Reference No: FMWR / TRIMING / 2020 / INDV / CS / 02
Job Locations: Kano / Jigawa / Zamfara / Sokoto
Name of Project: Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria
Project ID No: P123112

Overview

• The TRIMING Project is seeking to recruit individual Professional Experts (Consultant) in the above-named area with experience in investment operation relating to the management of Farmers Management and Service Centers in TRIMING Project Sites of Kano River Irrigation Scheme (KRIS) Kadawa in Kano State; Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme (HVIS), Auyo in Jigawa State; Bakalori Irrigation Scheme (BIS), Talata Mafara in Zamfara State and Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Scheme (MRVIS), Goronyo in Sokoto State.
• A set of the individual experts working as a Team will under the supervision of their respective FMC Board of Trustees (BoTs) primarily support the TRIMING Project Management Unit (PMU) in the Management of Farmers Management and Service Delivery Centers in each Project Site.
• The four Farmer Management and Service Delivery Centers (FMC5) have been registered under the Nigeria’s Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 (CAMA) as companies limited by shares.

The Objective of the Assignment and Duration:

• The purpose of the FMCs is to address challenges faced by small-scale farmers in four irrigation schemes of BlS HVIS, KRIS, and MRIS. Identified constraints include, but are not limited to, access to quality inputs, mechanization services, advisory services, and credit.
• The FMCs are also envisioned to act as catalysts strengthening managerial capacities of smallholder farmer cooperatives and apex cooperatives that are the majority shareholders in the FMCs.
• The FMCs objective is to transform irrigation agriculture into a commercially viable investment, leading to improved productivity, reduction in post-harvest losses, improved quality of commodities, and a more efficient and predictable marketing system.
• The FMCs are also envisioned to improve farmers’ access to financial services.
• The duration of individual subject matter experts for this assignment will be for initial period of two (2) years, with the possibility of annual renewal for the project duration subject to work requirements and satisfactory performance.

Functions of FMCs
The function of FMC5 for this assignment in liaison with National Project Coordinator (NPC) will primarily include, but not limited to the following:

• Warehouse (and pack houses for tomato) development to encourage large off-taker interest and allow for cleaning, grading, insurance, farmers’ access to credit facilities using warehouse receipt system and long-term storage and improve quality of onward supply. It is expected that warehousing will also help to buffer the price for paddy farmers.
• Facilitation of inputs supply and agro-dealer support and development
• Facilitation of mechanization services
• Facilitation of finance for scheme value chains
• Market facilitation to support establishment of long-term offtake contracts and contribute to the creation of more competitive, inclusive, and resilient market systems
• Provision of technical services and advisory – extension services, business development, accounting, and bookkeeping services to cooperatives, etc.

Job Description

• Provide support to the general manager for the development and management of infrastructure to support intensive commercial farming and for facilitating access to relevant farming inputs and mechanization. The equipment and inventory manager will:
• Establish and maintain an inventory of FMC assets
• Monitor and facilitate maintenance of existing infrastructure (warehouses, pack houses, and other facilities) and equipment to support effective and profitable management of estates
• Working closely with specific managers, plan for infrastructure and facility development of the scheme to ensure their continued economic and social viability
• Support sector-level cooperatives to manage land preparation and procurement of appropriate equipment, facilities, and other materials
• Identify need for amenities and, working with the general manager, facilitate provision of these by exploring various models of public private partnerships
• Manage regular and systematic procurement of agricultural inputs, including equipment tools and agrochemicals
• Oversee and ensure maintenance of equipment
• Facilitate establishment of demonstration plots in partnership with inputs suppliers and technology providers.

Qualifications

• First Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering / Agriculture and five years’ experience working in an agriculture mechanization company or commercial agriculture enterprise.

Consultant EOI / Shortlisting Criteria:

• Interested individual consultants should submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV) with all the necessary document attached such as copies of engagement letters etc. and other supporting information that the CV demonstrates that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services.

The short-listing criteria are:

• Evidence of General qualifications of the consultant (Education, Training, and work Experience
• Adequacy for the Assignment: Evidence of general experience in area of expertise listed above
• Evidence of specific experience in/of particular area of expertise in general management, workshop/ equipment management and administration/finance or similar fields as it is applicable to area of expertise
• Proven experience of project management, administration and financing, especially in Nigeria’s private sector.

Proposed Remuneration
Negotiable.

Job Position: General Manager (GM)

Reference No: FMWR / TRIMING / 2020 / INDV / CS / 02
Job Locations: Kano / Jigawa / Zamfara / Sokoto
Name of Project: Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria
Project ID No: P123112

Overview

• The TRIMING Project is seeking to recruit individual Professional Experts (Consultant) in the above-named area with experience in investment operation relating to the management of Farmers Management and Service Centers in TRIMING Project Sites of Kano River Irrigation Scheme (KRIS) Kadawa in Kano State; Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme (HVIS), Auyo in Jigawa State; Bakalori Irrigation Scheme (BIS), Talata Mafara in Zamfara State and Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Scheme (MRVIS), Goronyo in Sokoto State.
• A set of the individual experts working as a Team will under the supervision of their respective FMC Board of Trustees (BoTs) primarily support the TRIMING Project Management Unit (PMU) in the Management of Farmers Management and Service Delivery Centers in each Project Site.
• The four Farmer Management and Service Delivery Centers (FMC5) have been registered under the Nigeria’s Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 (CAMA) as companies limited by shares.

The Objective of the Assignment and Duration

• The purpose of the FMCs is to address challenges faced by small-scale farmers in four irrigation schemes of BlS HVIS, KRIS, and MRIS. Identified constraints include, but are not limited to, access to quality inputs, mechanization services, advisory services, and credit.
• The FMCs are also envisioned to act as catalysts strengthening managerial capacities of smallholder farmer cooperatives and apex cooperatives that are the majority shareholders in the FMCs.
• The FMCs objective is to transform irrigation agriculture into a commercially viable investment, leading to improved productivity, reduction in post-harvest losses, improved quality of commodities, and a more efficient and predictable marketing system.
• The FMCs are also envisioned to improve farmers’ access to financial services.
• The duration of individual subject matter experts for this assignment will be for initial period of two (2) years, with the possibility of annual renewal for the project duration subject to work requirements and satisfactory performance.

Functions of FMCs
The function of FMC5 for this assignment in liaison with National Project Coordinator (NPC) will primarily include, but not limited to the following:

• Warehouse (and pack houses for tomato) development to encourage large off-taker interest and allow for cleaning, grading, insurance, farmers’ access to credit facilities using warehouse receipt system and long-term storage and improve quality of onward supply. It is expected that warehousing will also help to buffer the price for paddy farmers.
• Facilitation of inputs supply and agro-dealer support and development
• Facilitation of mechanization services
• Facilitation of finance for scheme value chains
• Market facilitation to support establishment of long-term offtake contracts and contribute to the creation of more competitive, inclusive, and resilient market systems
• Provision of technical services and advisory – extension services, business development, accounting, and bookkeeping services to cooperatives, etc.

Job Description

• The general manager will work under supervision of and report to the FMC Board of Trustees.
• He or she will work closely with leadership of farmer cooperatives to promote the activities of the FMC and to ensure buy-in from members of the cooperatives.
• He or She will take leadership in planning production activities for the target value chains in order to ensure adequate availability of inputs and mechanization services to achieve production targets.
• He or She will lead development of a more efficient marketing system for targeted value chains by identifying and building alliances with potential off-takers or aggregators and building capacities of farmers through their cooperatives to engage in joint marketing through the FMC facilities.
• He or She will lead planning and coordinating production, value preservation, and marketing of scheme commodities.
• He or She will also be expected tp ensure close monitoring of scheme operations to maintain Sound financial and management practices by the FMC.

Areas of responsibility would include, but not limited to – To deliver the vision of a modern and commercially viable FMC, the general manager will provide:

• Leadership: Implement the strategy of the shareholders for a commercially viable and profitable FMC
• Budget and resource management: Manage the budget for FMC operation and management
• Sustainability and business planning: Lead work with value chain specialists in developing sustainable and appropriate business models for each promoted value chain
• Relationship management: Promote the FMC among the appropriate stakeholders in the region
• Monitoring and reporting: Supervise and provide technical advice for the management of agricultural production on the scheme to ensure FMC/cooperatives achieve set targets of production.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in relevant discipline; five to seven years’ experience working with a large agribusiness company, preferable trading in commodities.
• Must be able to use basic packages and spreadsheets to generate presentations and reports; operate confidently on the internet to send e-mail and source information.

Essential Experience and Skills:

• Experience of growing start-ups and/or of leading large organizations, working to international standards
• Exposure to agricultural initiatives using modern agricultural technologies
• Experience of organization development and/or institution building activities
• Experience of training and capacity building activities at the grassroots level
• Sound entrepreneurial skills and business know-how
• Experience in managing out-grower schemes
• Experience in managing successful agribusiness start-ups will be an added advantage
• Knowledge and understanding of agribusiness in Nigeria
• Excellent representational and negotiation skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Fluency in Hausa is an added advantage

Consultant EOI / Shortlisting Criteria

• Interested individual consultants should submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV) with all the necessary document attached such as copies of engagement letters etc. and other supporting information that the CV demonstrates that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services.

The short-listing criteria are:

• Evidence of General qualifications of the consultant (Education, Training, and work Experience
• Adequacy for the Assignment: Evidence of general experience in area of expertise listed above
• Evidence of specific experience in/of particular area of expertise in general management, workshop/ equipment management and administration/finance or similar fields as it is applicable to area of expertise
• Proven experience of project management, administration and financing, especially in Nigeria’s private sector.

Proposed Remuneration
Negotiable.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their expression of interest via e-mail or hard copy (all relevant documents must also be submitted) to the address below depending on the area of location:
ATTN: National Project Coordinator,
Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria Project,
Federal Ministry of Water Resources,
Plot 1402, Abba Kyari Street, Off Adesoji Aderemi Street,
Apo – Abuja, Nigeria.
TeI: +2348038391469, +2348052048706.

Important Information / Notice

• The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and employment of Consultants (under IBRD loans and IDA Credit and Grants) by World Bank borrowers. January 2011 edition and revised in July 2014 (Consultants Guidelines) setting forth the World Bank Policy on Conflict of Interest.
• Interested consultants may obtain further information from the address below during office hours 08:00 and 17:00 (Local time Monday to Friday) and /or send an email to the National Project Coordinator at address info@triming.org
• The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the position can be found at the following website: www.triming.org
• Each successful candidate has to make arrangements on his / her personal security in the course of discharging his / her official responsibility.