Procurement Assistant (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: Procurement Assistant (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 Procurement Officer and the overall guidance of Procurement Specialist, the Procurement Assistant will support in smooth completion of various activities on procurement of the programme.
• The Procurement Assistant will directly assist the Procurement Specialist in the overall coordination of the Procurement activities of VCN.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the management of the data file and the appropriate filing of the electronic and hard copies of the procurement documents and reports.
• Assist in preparing the monthly procurement reports
• Merging of quotations and verification of the same.
• Participate in the preparation of the annual Work Plan and Budget for the Procurement Unit
• Serve as a regular link between the Procurement Unit and other components.
• Participate in bid opening and  management of bids.
• Facilitate correspondence with contractors and suppliers
• Assist in preparing the Procurement Plan.
• Assist in updating the Contracts Register.
• Assist with Internal & External audit exercises.
• Filing and retrieval of all procurement documents.
• Any other task that may be assigned as and when deemed necessary.

Required Qualifications and Experience
Academic Education:

• At least a Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following fields: Procurement  Management, Supply Chain Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Management, Finance or a related field.

Professional Certification:

• A partly qualified member of any of these Professional Bodies: CIPS, CILT, and CISCM or related professional body.

Professional Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years post-qualification relevant professional experience, of which three (3) years are specifically in the management of procurement activities of internationally funded agricultural development projects, preferably with IFAD, World Bank, AfDB, or similar multilateral development organizations.
• Ability and proven experience in multitasking and working effectively under pressure.

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.
• Experience in working with donor-assisted projects – an advantage.
• Good communication and team building

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.

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.