Knowledge Management and Communication 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: Knowledge Management and Communication 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

• The Knowledge Management & Communication (KMC) Officer will have overall responsibility for coordinating, supporting, and facilitating the KMC activities related to the Program implementation. The Officer will work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation (ME) Specialist to provide leadership, guidance, and capacity building in KMC and ME. The Specialist will develop and implement the Program Knowledge Management, Communication and Learning Strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the implementation of the KMC strategy.
• Prepare a KMC plan of action at NPCO with strategic input from the SPCO.
• Develop and manage relevant databases.
• Develop relevant guidelines for enhancing institutional culture of learning and knowledge-sharing.
• Guide staff on information collection, processing, and information dissemination methods.
• Ensure that innovative experiences, learning, and good practices are captured, synthesized, documented, and shared continuously within the Program, the relevant stakeholders, and with the IFAD and AFD Country Offices.
• Play a leading role in external relations, building relations with media personnel, liaison and public relations for more media visibility of the program.
• Ensure that the relevant tools and processes are in place for implementing staff to collect, process/analyze, store, and share information and  knowledge, and ensure relevant staff have the capacity to use them.
• Foster partnerships and linkages for broader knowledge-sharing and learning with other related initiatives, aiming at synergy and alliance building.
• Put in place systems to facilitate the collection, analysis, documentation and sharing of lessons and good practice.
• In close collaboration with the M&E Specialist, ensure the effective  management of the KMC of the Program, including quality management, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation; ensure that information systems are integrated.
• Provide technical backstopping and guidance to capacity-building activities of the Program.
• Establish information technology requirements for effective implementation of the KMC and Learning strategy.
• Assess and establish appropriate communication channels to be used for different stakeholders.
• Plan and coordinate all communication and advocacy campaigns through mass media, newsletters, stakeholder meetings, and other communication channels as appropriate.
• Develop and disseminate information and knowledge products as appropriate.
• Facilitate the Program’s annual review workshops, impact assessment studies, Mid-Term Reviews, and completion.
• Assist in developing communication tools to enable monitoring and evaluation of the Program’s activities.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of the Program’s KMC and Learning strategy.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Academic Education:

• At least a master’s or higher-level university degree in a field related to  communications, journalism, agriculture, and information technology or a related discipline.

Professional Certification:

• A member of a recognized professional body for knowledge and/or communication, such as the Association of Certified Knowledge Management Professionals (ACKM), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), or a related professional body, is an added advantage.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience including seven (7) years in a similar role implementing knowledge management and/or development communication in development projects, preferably in the agriculture and rural development sector.
• Experience in training and capacity building.
• Experience of interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills and basic knowledge of M&E.
• Proven experience in knowledge documentation and advocacy; demonstrated capacity to develop and oversee the development of knowledge products demonstrating impact and enhancing learning among stakeholders.
• Experience in developing and implementing communication strategies for agricultural development projects.

Computer Literacy:

• Possesses very good computer literacy in Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Email Clients (Microsoft Outlook), Video Conferencing (Zoom, Microsoft Teams), and Web Applications.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Personal Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills and ease in interpersonal relationships;
• Reliable and responsible personality and capacity to work under demanding professional circumstances and in an international environment;
• Excellent coordination and negotiation skills;
• Excellent planning, organizing, and recordkeeping skills;
• Good team player while being independent and able to work autonomously.
• Results-driven leadership: Ability to drive results in a time-constrained environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Integrity and independence: Commitment to fiduciary standards with the ability to maintain professional independence.

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

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.