About you

The ideal candidate should have demonstrated experience in agro-processing, manufacturing, food safety, or enterprise development, with a strong understanding of the operational and technical aspects of processing industries. They should possess a proven track record in strengthening SME competitiveness, including experience in business incubation, enterprise support, or the management of processing clusters that enhance productivity, market access, and innovation. Experience working with small and medium-sized enterprises to improve efficiency, compliance, and growth within agricultural or industrial value chains will be highly valuable.

In addition, the candidate should have experience managing or coordinating donor-funded or consortium-based agricultural and industrial development projects, ensuring effective collaboration among stakeholders and successful project implementation. Familiarity with national food regulatory systems, including standards such as NAFDAC and SON, as well as knowledge of export requirements and value chain development, is essential. Exposure to renewable energy solutions or circular economy models in processing is considered an added advantage, particularly where these approaches support sustainability, resource efficiency, and climate-resilient agro-industrial development.

• Plan and coordinate the Processing and Manufacturing components of the programme, ensuring activities align with project goals, budgets, and quality standards.
  
• Oversee establishment and management of shared processing hubs, aggregation centers, and small-scale manufacturing clusters.
  
• Facilitate enterprise diagnostics to identify capacity gaps, compliance challenges, and equipment needs of youth-led processing businesses.
  
• Support development and implementation of quality assurance frameworks, including GMP, HACCP, and food traceability systems.
  
• Ensure processing and manufacturing activities integrate environmental sustainability and energy efficiency practices.
  
• Support the Technical Integration Manager in aligning processing outcomes with market demand, supply chain efficiency, and employment targets.
  
• Liaise with regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC, SON, NAQS and state ministries to facilitate product registration and compliance certification.
  
• Represent the Processing and Manufacturing component at consortium, stakeholder, and technical working group meetings.