Market/Value Chain Infrastructure Consultant at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD)

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) received a loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards the cost of the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), and intends to use part of the proceed towards carrying out various consultancy and non consultancy service activities.

The VCDP hereby invites eligible/qualified individual consultants to express interest in offering the services below:

Job Title: Market/Value Chain Infrastructure Consultant

Locations: Abuja, Enugu, Nasarrawa or Kogi

Programme Summary

• The VCDP is an investment programme presently being implemented in the six states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Ogun, Niger and Taraba. Three additional states of Kogi, Nasarrawa and Enugu are to further participate in the programme.

The programme includes the following components:

• Agricultural Market Development which includes Support to value addition and market linkages, Support to market infrastructure):
• Small Holders Production Enhancement which includes (Support to farmers organization and Support to small holders production) and
• Programme Management and Coordination.

The VCDP intends to expand/ update her data base of individual consultants. Eligible individual consultants are invited to indicate interest in working for the programme at any off:

• National Programme Management Unit, Abuja
• Enugu State Programme Management Unit, Enugu
• Nasarrawa State Programme Management Unit, Keffi.
• Kogi State Programme Management Unit, Lokoja

Programme Objective and Target
The Programme’s objective is that the incomes and food security of poor rural households engaged in production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava in the Programme Area are enhanced on a sustainable basis.

The primary target groups are:

• Poor rural households engaged in the cassava and rice value chains (VCs) who cultivate not more than 5 hectares of land under rice/cassava); and
• Small-scale processors (processing capacity of an average of 2 MT/day for cassava and 4 MT/day for rice) and traders, with emphasis on women and youth.

The secondary target groups include:

• Downstream stakeholders, particularly processors Linked to a large number of the primary target groups;
• Local government councils (LGAs) and communities strengthened to sustainably manage the marketing infrastructures supported by the Programme; and
• Private sector operators strengthened to provide quality services demanded by smallholder farmers and processors.

Specific Task Includes the Following

• Carrying out engineering/architectural designs, specifications and cost estimates for market infrastructure (roads, irrigation schemes, storage facilities, markets, water supply and sanitation, agro processing buildings, land development activities.
• Carry out survey I contour mapping in respect of land development and road infrastructure interventions. Render capacity building services.
• Support the preparation of Manuals/Guidelines and capacity building initiatives in the operation and maintenance of market infrastructure for sustainability.
• Provide support services in the evaluation of tenders/bids for market infrastructure.
• Certify payments for the Works against the relevant Bill of Quantities and issue the Interim Payment Certificates, the Final Payment Certificate and other certificates, including Taking Over Certificate, as required under the Civil Works Contract;
• Approve and monitor the contractor’s construction program and method statements, verifying that they are consistent with the implementation schedule for the Project;
• Planning and execution of construction supervision and contract administration, including effective and regular supervision of the works, maintenance of project records, correspondence and diaries, as well as quality control/material testing to ensure that the Works are executed in accordance with the Contract;
• issue notices to the contractor advising of any non-compliance with Environmental Mitigation measures, as set out in the contract documents.
• Carry out market infrastructure assessment and thematic studies.

Qualification and Experience
The requisite qualifications of the Individual Consultants shall include the following:

• A minimum of first Degree/HND in Civil, Highway, Irrigation, Water, Structural, Agricultural Engineering, Land Surveying, Building, Quantity Surveying, Land Surveying, Architecture and with registration with relevant professional body.
• A minimum of Ten (10) years’ experience In rural/market Infrastructure construction and management in DONOR ASSISTED PROJECTS in any of the fields mentioned above is required.

Criteria for Evaluation
The Following criteria will be used in evaluating the individual consultants:

• General-Education, Qualification, Membership of Professional bodies
• Specific Experience related to assignment
• Participation in similar assignments in IFAD and other donor projects
• Adequate knowledge of the terrain/environment.
• Eligible Individual Consultants should submit their detailed Curriculum Vitae with covering letter indicating area of interest.

Application Closing Date
12pm; 18th September, 2019.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit two hard copies (by hand or post) of their Expression of Interest (EOI) in sealed envelopes with the interested area of specialization clearly marked on the top left-hand corner of the envelope. This submission should be addressed to the undersigned at the stipulated addresses below:
The National Programme Coordinator,
FGNIIFAD Value Chain Development Programme,
4, Batna Close, Off Agadez Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture, Enugu.
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Nassarrawa State Ministry of Agriculture, Nassarrawa
OR
Office of the Permanent Secretary,
Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture, Lokoja.