About the Opportunity

• Connexus is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Private Sector Engagement (PSE) & Enterprise Development Specialist for the anticipated USAID/Nigeria Value Chain Activity. The PSE & Enterprise Development Specialist will be responsible for engaging private sector actors and fostering partnerships, promoting innovation, and enhancing the productivity and profitability of agricultural value chains. Note: this is a preliminary position description and may be clarified further after solicitation release.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Design and implement strategies to engage private sector actors, including agribusinesses, input suppliers, and service providers, among others, to drive inclusive and competitive agricultural market development.
• Identify, assess, and cultivate strategic partnerships with private sector actors, including agric-MSMEs, investors, and industry associations.
• Conduct market assessments, value chain analyses, and feasibility studies to identify business constraints and opportunities for private-sector enterprise development.
• Develop and implement innovative business models, value-added services, and market-driven solutions to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of agricultural enterprises.
• Collaborate with relevant government agencies, NGOs, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for private sector investment and enterprise development.
• Facilitate capacity-building activities, including training, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions for private sector actors to share techniques, strategies, and models for growing and developing their businesses.
• Contribute to Activity reporting, documentation, and knowledge management activities, including capturing lessons learned, best practices, and success stories related to PSE and enterprise development programming.
• Stay abreast of latest developments, research findings, and innovations in PSE and enterprise development, and adapt approaches, as necessary, to reflect newest and most relevant innovations and principles.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business, Agricultural Economics, or another relevant field with a minimum of 9 years of professional experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project; or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Agricultural Economics, or another relevant field with a minimum 11 years of experience, preferably for USAID or another donor-funded project.
• Experience designing and implementing strategies to build the capacity of private sector actors and proven track record of building and managing partnerships with the private sector, government, and other stakeholders.
• Strong technical expertise in market analysis, business development, value chain development, access to finance.
• Excellent written communication skills, including ability to contribute to high-quality project reports.
• Fluency in English required and other local languages desired.
• Must be authorized to work in Nigeria.