AgriBusiness Development Initiative (Over 200 Positions)

The SONGHAI Rivers Development Initiative is an integrated World Class farm; a centre for agribusiness enterprise training and transfer of skills to local farmers and a research centre focused on improving agricultural techniques and varieties. The initiative which is sited on 341 hectares of land is the largest of its kind in West Africa. It is a partnership between the SONGHAI Centre in porto Novo, Benin Republic and the Rivers State Government, which is developing the farm as the main hub of the State Agricultural Revolution. The 1st phase of the Centre will also include a Technology Park, an Industrial Area and a Production Facility. The Centre has openings for over 200 skill and semi-skilled agribusiness professionals and workmen.

SAMUELSON has been engaged by an Agency of the Rivers State Government to identify exceptional, hardworking, experienced and versatile individuals to fill the positions below. The Centre will offer a competitive remuneration package including exceptional career development opportunities.

(Project Management Team)

1.)  Accounts/Finance Head

Education

• Applicant should possess HND or B.Sc plus ACA or equivalent

Experience

• 10 years experience with the ability to use accounting software packages and prepare management reports is a must.
• All candidates must have been head of an accounts department in a large organization, preferably a development institution, but must versatile in cost accounting.

2.)  Communication Coordinator

Education:

• Applicant should have a good Bachelor degree and professional qualifications

Experience

• 10 years post-qualification experience.
• Candidate should have strong oral and written communication skills

3.)  Farm Operation Coordinator

Education:

• Applicant should have B.sc or M.sc in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Development Management or related discipline

Experience

• Should have 10 years minimum experience with experience in research, strategic planning, business development and corporate strategy implementation.
• Candidates must have excellent presentation skills
• Knowledge and experience in agriculture and the development sector will be a definite advantage.

4.)  Maintenance Officer

Education:

• Applicants should possess B.sc or MSc in Agricultural/Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Farm Mechanization.

Experience:

• Should have 5 years minimum experience in a mechanized farm plus registration with a recognized Nigerian Engineering body.
• The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, as well as a good understanding of farm facility management, fixed/movable machines will set the candidate apart

5.) Procurement Officer

Education:

• Applicant must possess B.sc or HND and professional qualifications in purchasing and supply management

Experience

• Should have 5 years minimum experience. Familiarity with the procurement processes of international development/ donor organizations will be an advantage.
• Candidates must have strong negotiation skills

6.)  Human Resources Officer

Education:

• Applicant should have B.sc or M.sc inEducation:, HMR, Development Management or relevant discipline

Experience

• Should have 5 years minimum experience as Head of HRM in a large organization.
• Candidates must be conversant with labour laws, team oriented, and performance management systems. Excellent interpersonal relationship skills will be required.

7.)  Accounting Assistant / Officer

Education

• Applicant must possess OND, HND or B.sc in Accounting , Finance or related degree. ACA will be an advantage

Experience

• Should have 5 years experience in conducting financial and systems audits and liaising with External Auditors is required.
• Experience in IT Systems Audits and Audit/Technical Report writing are also required.

8.)  Secretary

Education:

• Applicants must possess HND or B.sc in the humanities, Secretarial Studies, Development Management, Business Studies, HRM or related field 

Experience

• Should have 3 years minimum experience working in a leading organization. The ability to keep up with a fast-paced CEO must be demonstrated.
• Excellent organizational skills are required for the position, including ICT proficiency in MS Office Suite. Ability to speak and write in French will be an asset.

(Agro-Production Team)

9.)  Technical Officer (Crop Production /Soil Management)

Education:

• Applicant must possess HND or B.sc in Crop/soil Science or production

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years, with demonstrable passion for the production of cereals, roots and tubers of relevance to the food systems and agro-ecology of Rivers State

10.)  Technical Assistant/Officer (Agro-Forestry/Landscaping)

Education

• Applicant must possess OND, HND or B.sc in Forestry

Experience

• Should have 3-5 years practical experience in tree crops production including grafting techniques, landscape maintenance and lawn management.

11.)  Technical Officer (Vegetable Production)

Education:

• Applicant should possess OND/HND in Crop production

Experience

• Should have 3 to 5 years practical experience with bias for horticulture and strong knowledge and appreciation of practical techniques in organic agriculture, including the preparation and use of compost.

12.)  Technical Assistant/Officer (Livestock & Poultry Production)

Education:

• Applicant must possess OND/HND in Animal Science/production

Experience

• Strong knowledge of the management of small ruminants such as grass cutters, poultry, snails and livestock with 3 to 5 years hands-on experience in Poultry production and feed mill/biogas production, especially.

13.)  Technical Assistant/ Officer Fisheries/Aquaculture

Education:

• Applicant should have OND/HND or B.sc in Aquaculture or Fisheries

Experience:

• 3-5 years of practical experience

14.)  Technical Assistant (Post Harvest Handling/Processing)

Education:

• Applicant should have OND in Food/Nutrition science, Food Processing or Industrial Chemistry

Experience:

• 3-5 years of practical experience

15.)  Technical Officer (Post-Harvest Handling and Processing)

Education:

• Applicant must possess HND or B.sc in Food Science and Processing

Experience

• Knowledge of instrumentation and quality standards in the Food sector in Nigeria.
• Experience in one or more of these areas would be an advantage. Dry fruits, palm oil, PKO, soya oil & cake, fruit juice, jam, pastry, diary products, cassava, rice, smoked fish, meat processing ; as well as handicraft.

(Agro-Mechanization Team)

16.)  Officer In-charge (Tractors, Farm Mechanization and Instrument Fabrication)

Education:

• Applicant must possess HND in Agricultural/Mechanical Engineering or Farm Mechanization

Experience:

• 7 years with license to operate heavy farm equipment.

17.)  Officer In-charge (Fabrication and Maintenance)

Education:

• Applicant must possess HND in Agricultural/mechanical Engineering or Farm Mechanization

Experience:

• 7 years with licence to operate heavy farm equipment.

18.)   Assistants/Officers (Fabrication and Maintenance)

Education:

• Applicant must possess OND/HND in Agricultural/Mechanical Engineering of Farm Mechanization.
• Candidates with Trade Test/City & Guilds/NABTEB recognized certificate in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering will be considered

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years of experience on a mechanized farm mechanization with licence to operate heavy farm equipment.

 (Human Capital Development/Training)

19.)  Training Coordinators

Education:

• Applicant must possess B.sc or M.sc inEducation:, HRM, Development Management or relevant discipline

Experience:

• 7 years of proven track record in stimulating and sustaining a training strategy and maintaining a pipe of intended trainees.

20.)   Training Officers

Education:

• Applicants should possess BSc inEducation:, HRM, Development Management, Agriculture, AgriculturalEducation:. Agriculture Economics or relevant discipline.

 (Marketing, Sales & Product Outlet)

21.)  External Sales Executives

Education:

•  Applicants must possess B.sc in Marketing / Business Administration

Experience:

• Should have 5 years experience. Strong strategic thinker with the ability to plan ahead and be good at time management.
• Must have people skills, the ability to negotiate, persuasiveness and a drive for success.
• Candidate must be dynamic, easy going, quick thinking with the ability to listen and think out of the box.
• Ownership of a Driver’s license is essential.
• Young females are highly encouraged to compete for this role.

22.)  Garden Sales Assistants (Female)

Education:

• Applicant must possess WASCE/GCE/OND.

Experience:

• Should have 3 to 5 years post – WASCE / GCE / OND. Must pay attention to detail, be pleasant and friendly.

(Community Relations; M and E)

23.)  Community Liaison Officers

Education:

• Applicant should possess OND / HND or B.sc in AgriculturalEducation, Agricultural Economics, BusinessEducation:, Community Relations, Rural Sociology or related field.

Experience:

• 3 - 5 years experience but must be local indigenes with the willingness to ride a motorcycle.

24.)   M and E Officer

Education:

• Applicant should have B.sc in Project Planning, Agricultural Economics or related field

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years experience in M&E and in conducting Impact Assessment Studies

Communication/Agro-Tourism

25.)  Coordinator (Agro-Eco Tourism)

Education:

• Applicant must possess HND or B.sc in Marketing or relevant degree

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience in Tourism – business savvy and with knowledge of current development issues, as well as the culture of the Rivers people.
• Must possess valid drivers licence.

26.)  Communications Officer

Education:

• Applicant must possess HND I B.sc in Mass Communications, Journalism, Pubic Relations, Media Studies and professional qualifications

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years previous experience is an advantage

27.)  Tour Guides (on 6 Monthly Contract)

Education:

• Applicant must possess HND / B.Sc in Mass Communications, Agricultural Education, English or French (added advantage).

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years experience - must be able to understand basic agricultural processes and to explain same to visitors.

28.)  Restuarant / Conference Centr Assistants

Education:

• OND Hotel & Catering Management, Library Studies or relevant degree.

Experience:

• 3 to 5 years experience is an advantage - must be amiable and organized.

Medical

29.)  Medical Officer

Education:

• Applicant must possess MBBS

Experience:

• Should have 3 to 5 years post – NYSC in a registered hospital or clinic

30.)  Nurses

Education:

• Applicant should have SRM

Experience:

• 3 years experience

31.)  Vetenary Officer

Education:

• Applicant should have DVM

Experience:

• should have 5 years post NYSC in a farm

Application Deadline
5th July, 2011

Method of Application
Interested candidates, with the required experience, should send their applications with CVs and contact details (including day time telephone numbers and e-mail Address), on or before 5th July 2011 to: [email protected] or P.O. Box 5924, Marina, Lagos.

Attention:
The Divisional Director
Samuelson Consulting Limited
Reference: Songhai Centre

CVs submitted should be presented in the order listed below:

 1. Full Name of Candidate with Surname in Capital Letters
 2. Postal/Contact Address
 3. E-mail Address
 4. Mobile Telephone Number
 5. Date of Birth
 6. State of Origin
 7. LGA
 8. Marital Status
 9. Number of Children
 10. Present Employment Status
 11. Name of Current Employer
 12. Address of Current Place of Employment
 13. Current Salary
 14. Names ofEducation:al Institutions Attended / Dates / Qualifications Attained
 15. Professional Qualifications Attained / Professional Body/Date Qualified
 16. Earliest Date of Availability for Assumption of Duty, if Appointed
 17. Other Non – Academic Interests
 18. Other Relevant Information
 19. Names / Profession or Occupation / Office Addresses / E-mail Addresses / Telephone Number of at least 2 Referees

Candidate sending their CVs by e-mail must do so in MS Word format (No Scanned CVs or PDF, JPG or HTTP files please).
Please note that only shortlisted candidate will be contacted.