Climate Change and Environment Safeguard Specialist (CCESS) - Value Chain for Northern Nigeria Programme

Background
The Value Chain for Northern Nigeria (VCN) Programme is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, implemented through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the French Development Agency (AFD). The overall development objective of VCN is to increase incomes, food security, and resilience of smallholder farmers and other value chain actors in Northern Nigeria through competitive, climate‑resilient, and inclusive agricultural value chains. Specifically, the Programme aims to transform priority agricultural value chains in Northern Nigeria to drive food security, employment, and inclusive economic growth, with a strong focus on women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

The Programme is financed through multiple financing sources, including IFAD and AFD loans and will run until 31 March 2034 (financial closure: 30 September 2034). Implementation of the programme will be based on a decentralised approach through federal and state programme implementation units under the coordination of the Federal Department of Development Partners Projects (FD‑DPP). The National Programme Coordinating Office (NPCO) will be based in Abuja, and the State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU) in each participating state. The participating states are: Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano.

The NPMU will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team, including: National Programme Coordinator, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, Agricultural Production and Rural Infrastructure Specialists, Rural Institutions Development Specialist, Knowledge Management and Communication Specialist, Food & Nutrition Specialist, ICT4D Support Specialist, Gender & Social Inclusion and GALS Specialists, Climate & Environment Specialist, Financial Controller, Accountant, Finance Officer, Senior Internal Auditor, Procurement Specialist and Officers, and National administrative and HR support staff. State Programme Implementation Unit will mirror these functions (with a few exceptions) at the state level, ensuring strong fiduciary oversight, timely reporting from SPIU, and harmonized accounting procedures resulting in an effective last‑mile delivery.

Governance and accountability will be anchored in a National Steering Committee, supported by technical committees as required, to provide policy guidance, ensure alignment with national priorities, and resolve strategic bottlenecks. The implementation of the project will include high-risk operating environments, hence project staff/specialists at both National and State levels must possess the skills and expertise to work in fragile areas, demonstrating a high level of sensitivity to conflict and crisis situations.

Additionally, prior experience of project staff/specialist in remote project monitoring and implementation using dedicated tools to effectively track project activities would be crucial.

Position Overview

• The Climate Change and Environment Safeguard Specialist will be responsible to the National Project Coordinator (at the National Level) and the State Project Coordinator (SPC) at the State Level.
• The individual will manage the activities related to mainstreaming the environment and climate change adaptation into the VCN project to ensure a climate change and environmentally sustainable agricultural value chain.
• He or she will ensure the implementation of SECAP documents, including the SECAP Review Note, Environmental, Social and Climate Management Framework, Environmental, Social and Climate Management Plans, Targeted Adaptation Assessment, Integrated Pesticide Management Plan, Labour Assessment and Management Plan, Stakeholders’ Engagement Plan, Grievances Redress Mechanism, Water Management Plan, Waste Management, and any other plans. The individual will also identify opportunities for green growth, deepening climate adaptation and strengthening climate resilience along the value chain.
• He/she will also ensure that recommended mitigation and adaptation measures are adhered to. He/she will also develop sensitization and training schedules for awareness and capacity building in environment and climate change for stakeholders to ensure overall environmental sustainability of the VCN project.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop activities for the Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs).
• Oversee the implementation of the SECAP and the Environmental, Social and Climate Assessment Framework (ESCMF) to ensure full compliance with IFAD guidelines.
• Oversee the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP)
• Implement the Targeted Adaptation Assessment Work with the relevant staff to implement the Integrated Pesticide Management Plan, Labour Assessment and Management Plan, Stakeholders’ Engagement Plan, Grievances Redress Mechanism, Water Management Plan and Waste Management
• Monitor activity-specific environmental and social management plan for market infrastructure.
• In close consultation with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, track implementation of environmental and climate change activities
• Ensure the inclusion of climate resilience and environmental data collection in the baseline studies to be undertaken by the VCN.
• Plan and facilitate awareness creation and capacity building for stakeholders on environment and climate change issues in the VCN.
• Ensure adherence to environmental standards and discourage production and processing enterprises that are environmentally unsustainable.
• Work closely with climate services and extension services to improve dissemination of climate information and technology to farmers to guide farm activities.
• Facilitate training on waste valorization and integrated pest and agrochemical management value chains
• Create a baseline information for all specific project locations and develop an environmental information system within a GIS to monitor the project locations during the project life cycle!

Required Qualifications and Experience
Academic Education:

• At least a master’s or higher-level university degree in Agriculture, Geography, Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Climate Sciences, or Rural Development or related fields.

Professional Certification:

• An active member of a Climate Change and Environment Safeguard professional body such as the Environmental Society of Nigeria (NES), Certified Environmental & Social Standards Certification, Environmental and Safety Manager (CESM), Environmental Management & Disaster Risk Reduction Institute (EMDRRI) Certified, or an equivalent professional body is an added advantage.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, including seven (7) years in a similar role responsible for implementing Climate Change Adaptation, Environment and Natural Resource Management-related activities of internationally funded agricultural development projects, preferably with IFAD, World Bank, AfDB, or similar multilateral development organizations.
• Strong knowledge of climate change adaptation. Climate-related physical and transition risk assessment, climate-resilient development, climate change models, tools and/or datasets, etc.

Other Requirement:

• Experience in training and capacity building.
• Experience of interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills and basic knowledge of M&E.
• Good knowledge and experience in Geographic Information System (GIS) and environmental database development and remote sensing.
• horough knowledge of climate change adaptation and environmental and social safeguards and familiarity with all the governmental and non-governmental actors and stakeholders in the environment and climate change space at the national/state level.
• Proven experience in leadership and coordination of multidisciplinary teams and in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of complex projects.
• Strong practical experience in applying tools and instruments for mainstreaming climate adaptation and resilience, green growth, and climate finance into development concerns in investment operations.
• Familiarity with operations, policies and procedures of international financial institutions, and experience in processing and implementation of projects, is preferable.
• Computer Literacy: Possesses very good computer literacy in Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Email Clients (Microsoft Outlook), Video Conferencing (Zoom, Microsoft Teams) and Web Applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

Personal Competencies:

• Results-driven leadership: Ability to drive results in a time-constrained environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Problem-solving orientation: Proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues systematically.
• Excellent communication: Ability to convey complex information clearly to all stakeholders and to engage constructively with government counterparts.
• Integrity and independence: Commitment to fiduciary standards with the ability to maintain professional independence.

Terms and Conditions

• Contract Duration: The duration of the assignment will be a two-year staff contract with annual evaluation of performance in line with the respective job description in accordance with the recommendation of the FMAFS and renewable depending on satisfactory performance.
• Travels: Regular travel to State PCOs in Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara, Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi and Kano. Occasional travel for IFAD / AFD missions and training.

Undertaking:

• This is a full-time position, and the Project Coordinator for this assignment must not be engaged in any other on-going assignment in Nigeria or elsewhere at the time the employment contract comes into force.
• Non-compliance would lead to cancellation of the contract by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
• Falsifying personal data will also lead to disqualification.
• The Project Coordinator should not have a current business relationship with potential FBOs or any other project partner.

Reporting and Location

• Located in Abuja, the FCT, and will report directly to the National Programme Coordinator.

Remuneration

• Competitive package commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with FGN/IFAD/AFD salary scales for nationally recruited project staff.

Application Closing Date
6th September, 2026 at 12:00 noon.

How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) applications in ten (10) copies, including one original and nine (9) photocopies, properly sealed and clearly marked at the top right-hand cover "EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT UNDER THE FGN/IFAD/AFD-VCN PROJECT."

Each envelope should include a CV and an application letter with a cover letter suited for the position being applied for.

The sealed envelope should be addressed and delivered to:
The Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Food Security,
c/o Director, Federal Department of Development Partners Projects,
Fadama House, No. 1, Eldoret Close, Off Aminu Kano Crescent,
Wuse II – Abuja.

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