Agricultural Production Specialist – APS (Value Chain for Northern Nigeria Programme) at Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS)

The Federal Ministry of  Agriculture and Food Security is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies in the Nigeria’s  agricultural sector, to sufficiently provide food for an increasing population, adequate supply of raw materials to a growing industrial sector, effectively expand the market for crop, livestock, agro and agro-allied products, continually create employment opportunities, and to widely diversify the economy, for national development.

The Ministry provides resources to the sector for the implementation of various  projects and programmes. The efforts is complemented with the support and funding from donor partners in the implementation of various agricultural projects and programmes in the country.

Applications are invited from suitable candidates to fill the position below for the National Programme Management Unit of the Value Chain for Northern Nigeria Programme:

Job Title: Agricultural Production Specialist – APS (Value Chain for Northern Nigeria Programme)

Location: Wuse 2, Abuja (VCN National Programme Coordination Office (NPCO))
Job Type: Contract
Reports to: National Programme Coordinator.
Participating States: Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano.

Background
The Value Chain for Northern Nigeria (VCN) Programme is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, implemented through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the French Development Agency (AFD). The overall development objective of VCN is to increase incomes, food security, and resilience of smallholder farmers and other value chain actors in Northern Nigeria through competitive, climate‑resilient, and inclusive agricultural value chains. Specifically, the Programme aims to transform priority agricultural value chains in Northern Nigeria to drive food security, employment, and inclusive economic growth, with a strong focus on women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

The Programme is financed through multiple financing sources, including IFAD and AFD loans and will run until 31 March 2034 (financial closure: 30 September 2034). Implementation of the programme will be based on a decentralised approach through federal and state programme implementation units under the coordination of the Federal Department of Development Partners Projects (FD‑DPP). The National Programme Coordinating Office (NPCO) will be based in Abuja, and the State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU) in each participating state. The participating states are: Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano.

The NPMU will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including: National Programme Coordinator, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, Agricultural Production and Rural Infrastructure Specialists, Rural Institutions Development Specialist, Knowledge Management and Communication Specialist, Food & Nutrition Specialist, ICT4D Support Specialist, Gender & Social Inclusion and GALS Specialists, Climate & Environment Specialist, Financial Controller, Accountant, Finance Officer, Senior Internal Auditor, Procurement Specialist and Officers, and National administrative and HR support staff. State Programme Implementation Unit will mirror these functions (with a few exceptions) at the state level, ensuring strong fiduciary oversight, timely reporting from SPIU, and harmonized accounting procedures resulting in an effective last‑mile delivery.

Governance and accountability will be anchored in a National Steering Committee, supported by technical committees as required, to provide policy guidance, ensure alignment with national priorities, and resolve strategic bottlenecks. The implementation of the project will include high-risk operating environments, hence project staff/specialists at both National and State levels must possess the skills and expertise to work in fragile areas, demonstrating a high level of sensitivity to conflict and crisis situations.

Additionally, prior experience of project staff/specialist in remote project monitoring and implementation using dedicated tools to effectively track project activities would be crucial.

Position Overview

• Under the direct supervision of the National Programme Coordinator (NPC), the APS will be responsible for the overall management of activities related to productivity enhancement of smallholder farmers, working in close collaboration with the Food and Nutrition Specialist, Value Chain Specialist, Gender, Youth & Social Inclusion Specialist, Environment & Climate Specialist at the NPCO, and the State  Agricultural Production Officers (SAPO) and State Rural Infrastructure Officers at the SPIU.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and supervision to the SAPOs in the implementation of all production activities.
• Facilitate the introduction and cultivation of climate-resilient, high-yielding, and pest/disease tolerant crop varieties.
• Liaise with relevant service providers in the timely procurement and distribution of inputs (seeds, fertilizers) to farmers.
• Oversee the contracting of private sector extension service providers to strengthen existing CASP extension agents, State government extension agents (ADPs), and lead farmers on GAPs.
• Represent the NPC and speak at periodic meetings on production activities and during field visits to the states.
• Consolidate the state AWPBs for the Subcomponent and contribute to the drafting of yearly Programme progress reports of the NPCO.
• Work closely with other technical departments in the Federal Ministry of  Agriculture & Food Security, the National  Agricultural Seed Council, public and international research institutions, the private sector, etc.
• Perform other duties as directed by the NPC.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Academic Education:

• At least a Master’s or higher-level university Degree in Agronomy, Crop Production, and other relevant disciplines.

Professional Certification:

• Active membership in a recognized professional project management, management or agricultural body is an added advantage.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years relevant professional experience including seven (7) years in similar role implementing agro-productivity enhancement activities of internationally funded agricultural development projects, preferably with IFAD, World Bank, AfDB, or similar multilateral development organizations.
• Experience with international organisations, public sector institutions, and/or donor funding agencies in implementing agricultural projects.
• Experience in training and capacity building.
• Experience interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills and basic knowledge of M&E.
• Good writing skills and computer literacy.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and local Northern Nigerian languages.
• Computer literacy in Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Email Clients (Outlook), Video Conferencing (Zoom, Teams), and Web Applications.

Personal Competencies:

• Results-driven leadership
• Problem-solving orientation
• Excellent communication
• Integrity and independence
• Team builder

Terms and Conditions

• Contract Duration: Two-year staff contract with annual performance evaluation, renewable depending on satisfactory performance.
• Travels: Regular travel to State PCOs in Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano. Occasional travel for IFAD/AFD missions and training.

Reporting and Location:

• Located in Abuja, FCT, and will report directly to the National Programme Coordinator.

Remuneration

• Competitive package commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with FGN/IFAD/AFD salary scales for nationally recruited project staff.

Application Deadline 
6th September, 2026 at 12:00 noon.

METHOD OF APPLICATION 
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) applications in ten (10) copies, including one original and nine (9) photocopies, properly sealed and clearly marked at the top right-hand cover “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT UNDER THE FGN/IFAD/AFD-VCN PROJECT.”

Each envelope should include a CV and an application letter with a cover letter suited for the position being applied for.

The sealed envelope should be addressed and delivered to:
The Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Food Security,
c/o Director, Federal Department of Development Partners Projects,
Fadama House, No. 1, Eldoret Close, Off Aminu Kano Crescent,
Wuse II – Abuja.