Job vacancies at FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
CAREER OPPORTUNITY: TECHNICAL ASSISTANT TO THE ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE SAFEGUARDS OFFICER
Organization: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Programme: Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme
Location: Kano State, Nigeria
Duration: 12 Months (Renewable based on performance and programme needs)
Funding Partners: African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the AfDB, IFAD, and IsDB, is executing Phase 1 of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme across Imo, Kano, Kaduna, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun States, and the FCT. The initiative is designed to develop agro-processing clusters, strengthen agricultural value chains, reduce post-harvest losses, create sustainable markets, promote value addition, and drive rural employment.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Technical Assistant will work directly under the Environment & Climate Change Safeguards Officer to manage, monitor, and document all Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguards across programme activities:
Frameworks & Documentation: Standardize templates, update guides, and develop comprehensive E&S management and monitoring frameworks.
Compliance & Review: Review draft SAPZ E&S instruments, action plans, Terms of Reference (ToR) for sub-project studies, and monitoring reports prepared by participating states to ensure compliance with Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and loan covenants.
Field Monitoring & Coordination: Support E&S field visits, coordinate third-party monitoring activities, assess data quality from external consultants, and track progress via the E&S project tracker.
Capacity Building & Engagement: Facilitate E&S workshops and train project staff on operational safeguards. Liaise with national regulatory authorities for document approvals and official disclosures.
Reporting & Strategy: Support mid-term performance reviews, consolidate monthly E&S reports for donors, and contribute to annual work plans, budgets, and performance indicators.
Direct Support: Carry out additional E&S tasks as assigned by the National Programme Coordinator.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Criteria Requirements
Education Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Impact Assessment, Sociology, Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a closely related discipline.
General Experience At least 10 years of professional experience in E&S sustainability and safeguard reviews.
Sector Experience Minimum 5 years of extensive experience handling agricultural infrastructure projects.
Donor Experience Proven background with donor-funded projects (e.g., AfDB, IFAD, IsDB, World Bank). DFIs experience is an advantage.
Technical Skills Expertise in ESIA, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, stakeholder engagement, quantitative/qualitative data analysis, and technical report writing.
EVALUATION & SELECTION CRITERIA
Selection will follow IFAD and IsDB Procurement Procedures. Candidates will be evaluated against a 100-point scale (Minimum qualifying score: 75 points):
Appropriate Skills & Qualifications: 25 Points
Competency & Experience in Similar Positions: 25 Points
Similar Experience on Donor-Funded Projects: 30 Points
Communication Skills in English: 20 Points
APPLICATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested individual consultants must submit a complete application package comprising:
Updated Resume / Curriculum Vitae.
Description of similar assignments successfully executed.
Evidence of experience under similar operational conditions.
Proof of availability of relevant technical skills.
Written Technical Proposal (Maximum of 2 pages).
Financial Proposal.
HOW TO APPLY
Expressions of Interest (EOI) must be delivered in person in a sealed envelope clearly marked:
“ENGAGEMENT OF A TECHNICAL ASSISTANT TO SUPPORT THE SAPZ PROGRAM”
Physical Address for Submission:
Aminu A. Iliyasu
State Programme Coordinator,
State Programme Implementation Unit (Kano State SAPZ),
State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
No. 127 T/G Shanu, Beside Arewa Radio (Wazobia Cool FM),
Farm Centre, Kano State, Nigeria.
Inquiries & Contact Information:
Email: aminu.iliyasu@kanosapz.org
Phone: +234 (0) 803 395 8399
Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Monday to Friday)
Important Notes:
Late submissions will be rejected.
Only shortlisted applicants scoring 75 points will be contacted for the next stage.
