Capacity Development Officer at Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI)

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is a humanitarian, non-confessional, and independent organization founded in 1965 in Milan, Italy. For more than 50 years we have been dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and to supporting populations affected by wars, socioeconomic crises, or natural disasters in their path to recovery and sustainable development, by making use of the professionalism of local and international operators, and through our partnerships with public and private bodies and civil society organizations. COOPI- Cooperazione Internazionale started its operations in North-East Nigeria in July 2014 to carry out a rapid evaluation of the most relevant constraints suffered by the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) displaced by the food crisis and the insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin.

COOPI aims to support the most basic and pressing needs of communities affected by the conflict. COOPI is providing multi-sectoral emergency response to the IDPs, returnees, and host population focused on food security, nutrition, protection, and education. COOPI's main area of intervention is Yobe and Borno State and we are also present in Sokoto State, North West.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Capacity Development Officer

Location: Gashua - Bade LGA, Yobe
Employment Type: Full-time

Tasks of the expert

• We are seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Business Development Officer to join our team.
• The ideal candidate will have a passion for financial inclusion and a strong background in business development, particularly within food processing, vocational skills training, and the formation and management of VSLA groups.
• This role will involve identifying new business opportunities, building relationships with key stakeholders, and developing strategies to enhance our impact on the community.
• Conduct capacity development of participants (training of trainers, business model design and implementation, establishing linkages to additional business development services).
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with partner institutions and additional business development service providers.
• Oversee implementation of training and provision of additional business development services to MSMEs and ensure all activities are planned and delivered according to WFP standards.
• Support the formation and digitalization of VSLA groups
• Promote innovative food processing along the millet, sorghum, groundnut, horticulture and horticulture value chains
• Promote the creation of decent jobs for youths through agri-vocational skills training.

Key Responsibilities
Market Research and Analysis:

• Conduct thorough market research to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges within the food processing sector.
• Analyze competitor activities and market dynamics to inform strategic decision-making.

Business Development:

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities that align with our mission of creating decent jobs for the youth and financial inclusion.
• Develop and implement strategies to expand our participants' client base and increase revenue streams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create innovative solutions that meet the needs of the participants' target markets.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, financial institutions, and food processing businesses.
• Represent the organization (COOPI) at industry events, conferences, and networking functions to promote our initiatives and establish partnerships.

Program Development:

• Work closely with the program team to design and implement initiatives that support financial inclusion for youth and food enterprises run by the participants.
• Monitor and evaluate program outcomes to ensure alignment with program objectives.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare regular reports on business development activities, market trends, and program outcomes for management review.
• Maintain accurate records of stakeholder interactions and business development efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Agricultural Economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in business development, preferably in VSLA and food processing in an INGO.
• Strong understanding of financial inclusion principles and practices.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and implementing business strategies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite software.

Application Closing Date
31st January, 2025.