Food And Nutrition Specialist (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: Food And Nutrition Specialist (Value Chain for Northern Nigeria Programme)

Location: Wuse 2, Abuja (VCN National Programme Coordination Office (NPCO))
Job Type: Contract
Reports to: Directly to the 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 FNS will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating the implementation of the nutrition interventions of VCN at the national level.
• He/she will work closely with the IFAD/AFD nutrition focal points (country and regional) to ensure the operationalization of nutrition mainstreaming in the programme investments.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct the analysis of the food security and  nutrition situation in the  project locations and develop the programme nutrition strategy;
• In close liaison with other NPCO staff, ensure adequate integration of nutrition in the  Project documents, such as the Programme Implementation Manual during the start-up phase, M & E system, AWPB, and Progress reports;
• In collaboration with the M&E Specialist and State-level nutrition specialists, ensure adequate data collection on nutrition indicators and entry in the Programme’s M&E database (e.g. develop terms of reference for baseline/end line studies);
• In close liaison with the IFAD staff, support the documentation of best practices and lessons learned for in-country and global dissemination;
• Establish and maintain working relationships with the line ministries (such as agriculture, health, gender, education) to build synergy in nutrition-sensitive interventions in project interventions and establish coordination mechanisms;
• Support the NPC to establish local partnerships on nutrition (UN, Private sector, CSO) to support implementation and technical assistance;
• Facilitate the implementation of nutrition activities in close collaboration with relevant stakeholders (e.g., implementing partners, extension workers, community service providers);
• Develop a nutrition communication strategy in the programme interventions, including development of campaign messages, training events/forum, materials;
• Coordinate capacity building and training sessions on nutrition-sensitive interventions for project staff, implementers and extension workers;
• Track and document substantive data and information on food security and nutrition indicators and maintain regular progress reporting, especially at supervision, midterm and completion;
• Work collaboratively with VCN technical experts, including gender, youth and climate, in the implementation and documentation of interface on nutrition outcomes;
• Perform other duties as required in the overall operations of the programme.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Academic Education:

• At least a Master’s or higher-level university degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutritional Science, Public Health Nutrition, food science, or equivalent in a field related to food security and other relevant disciplines.

Professional Certification:

• Active membership in a recognized professional food and nutrition body, such as the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, British Dietetic Association (BDA), Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Federation of Nutritional Therapy Practitioners (FNTP), or equivalent is an added advantage.

Professional Experience:

• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, including seven (7) years in a similar position implementing food and nutrition initiatives/activities of internationally funded agricultural development projects, preferably with IFAD, World Bank, AfDB, or similar multilateral development organizations.
• Experience in mainstreaming nutrition in rural/agricultural development projects.
• Experience in training and capacity building is required. Knowledge of the interactions between nutrition, gender, youth, and climate change.
• Experience of interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills and basic knowledge of M&E.
• Strong knowledge of and experience in the country’s dietary system is preferred.
• Computer Literacy: Possesses very good computer literacy in Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Email Clients (eg., Microsoft Outlook), Video Conferencing (Zoom, Microsoft Teams), and Web Applications.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and local Northern Nigerian languages.

Personal Competencies:

• Results-driven leadership: Ability to drive results in a time-constrained environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Problem-solving orientation: Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues systematically.
• Excellent communication: Ability to convey complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders and to engage constructively with government counterparts.
• Integrity and independence: Commitment to fiduciary standards with the ability to maintain professional independence.
• Team builder: Capacity to mentor staff, standardize practices across dispersed teams, and foster accountability.

Terms and Conditions

• Contract Duration: The duration of the assignment will be a two-year staff contract with annual evaluation of performance in line with the respective job description in accordance with the recommendation of the FMAFS, and 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, the 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.