Program Technical Advisor

Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations and a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our companies. We are an inclusive organization who believes diversity and differences only make us stronger. We are disruptive because by challenging convention, we innovate and maximize the good we can do in the world. We promote interconnectedness because complex problems require comprehensive, integrated solutions. And we are agile, because the world changes rapidly and we move at the speed of change. Our more than 800 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world's most vulnerable people break the poverty cycle and lead healthy lives.

At Corus we value every employee's specialized area of expertise and nurture professional growth. We promote an engaging and supportive work environment, where employees feel enabled and driven to innovate, learn and collaborate. And because our companies often function as partners, our employees have the opportunity to work across our enterprise family.

Corus is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our worldwide workplace, and we believe that social justice and respect for the human dignity of every person are fundamental to all we do as an organization.

Further details about the organization can be found at: https://corusinternational.org

Lutheran World Relief (LWR), member of Corus International is seeking applications for the recruitment of Program Technical Advisor for its TRACE project, based in Ikom/Akure, Nigeria.

The Program Technical Advisor will lead the development and implementation of zonal work and will ensure strong local stakeholders' engagement. The Program Technical Advisor will provide technical guidance, capacity strengthening and supervise Agriculture extension Officers in each zone.

The Program Technical Advisor will report to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP).

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Sciences. agronomy, agricultural economics or relevant field or equivalent experience.
• 5 - 7 years demonstrated experience in cocoa field operations - nursery to harvesting.

• Must have technical expertise in the cocoa value chain, Natural Resources Management, cocoa traceability system & cropping.
• Practical field experience in managing farmers / out-grower / contract farming, business development services, and agricultural extension services.
• Proven experience in donor funding, NGOs, and cocoa certification/sustainability program.
• Understanding of cocoa seedlings production, crop management, and buyback of produce.
• Knowledge on agro-climate, soil fertility, disease & pest control, farmers organization strengthening.

• Experience with market development approaches, such as cocoa and agricultural value-chain development (linking producers to markets) programming.
• Has previous experience in the cocoa value chain, youth and women enterprise, cocoa traceability system, project management and related fields.

• Commitment to the values ​​of Corus and be able to model these values ​​in dealings with colleagues and partners: accompaniment, gratitude, vocation, stewardship and innovation. Understanding and commitment to development and agriculture in Nigeria.
• Demonstrated ability to use analytical skills, meet deadlines, and work on multiple projects simultaneously is preferred.
• Experience in developing cross-cultural materials and information for promotional purposes.
• Strong community and cross-cultural skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software programs.
• Knowledge of visa procedures for international staff preferred.
• Ability to work independently as well as coordinate with teams.
• Energetic, organized team player with strong problem-solving skills.

• The duties of the job require regular attendance of at least 5 days/week. The employee must be available to work outside normal office hours or on weekends as required. Corus has a hybrid work policy, allowing 50 percent of work to be done remotely.
• This position must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in different locations, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.
• Follow Corus Code of Conduct helping to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation, and trafficking in persons.
• Adhere to the Organizational Core Values of Inclusion, Disruptive, Interconnected and Agile.