Agribusiness and Livelihoods Advisor

Company Description

About SNV

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on our operations in Nigeria and SNV visit our website: www.snv.org

SNV has been present in Nigeria since 2020 and is currently seeking applicants for a full-time position for Agribusiness and Livelihoods Advisor on one of its Agriculture Project. The position is based in Abuja.

Overview of the Position

The Agribusiness and Livelihoods Advisor would will be responsible for providing technical insights and advisory services on products and interventions to projects. The Advisors will give input to Project Manager and project partners to meet the agreed objectives and realise successful interventions. The Advisor identifies opportunities and areas for improvement, to ensure quality delivery.

The Advisor understands youth demands and dynamics, as well as demonstrate capabilities to understand and appreciate empowerment of young women and men. The key responsibility of this position is to facilitate project activities implementation at county level, assisting in strengthening youth participation in agriculture, facilitate their engagement with producer organisations, markets and business actors, partnerships, mapping youth employment and entrepreneurship in agriculture value chain opportunities, mobilising them for self-employment and agribusiness ventures.

Job Description

The key responsibilities of the Agribusiness and Livelihoods Advisor will include the following:

• Lead the effective deployment and implementation of all sustainability and inclusive livelihood strategies and approaches to ensure youth and women are engaged as competitive entrepreneurs, employees and job creators in selected crop value chains.
• Lead the implementation of agribusiness development activities at the cluster level, with a strong focus on practical facilitation, market linkages, services and enterprise development.
• Contribute to annual, quarter and monthly planning, as well as regular reporting related to livestock and horticulture value chain and market system activities of the cluster
• Conduct sector assessments and market analyses of the livestock sector to identify agribusiness opportunities tailored to rural young women.
• Develop and implement the project annual activity plan in line with the targets and orientations of the Project annual work plan, monitor progress and anticipate challenges;
• This plan will indicate activities to be implemented to achieve youth and women targets and other project indicators and deliverables;
• Lead the implementation of the annual work plan,
• Innovate strategies that will improve availability and market uptake of diverse, nutritious, consumer responsive products from adapted crops.
• Facilitate and provide required technical support for market relevant and youth and women oriented, employability skills training and development in targeted counties;
• Strengthen the capacities of project partners, coaches and other stakeholders involved in youth support to achieve the project's objectives in terms of youth inclusion in agriculture sector;
• Support and partner with implementing partners to implement youth empowerment activities working with other technical project partners including coaching and accompaniment for work and market readiness.
• Support the Strengthening of research-informed policy instruments and investment readiness to create an enabling and attractive business environment for youth groups in adapted-crop value chains
• Forster public–private partnership agreements and institutional coordination mechanisms to enhance youth participation in adapted-crop value chains and markets.
• Ensure effective documentation and records of trained youth for self-employment, keep records of identified young agri-preneurs for coaching and market linkages facilitation;
•  Lead approaches/initiatives that ensure adapted-crop value chains are more efficient, better linked to markets, and supported by agribusiness development services.
• Prepare timely project activity reporting including youth selection, training and coaching progress and other deliverables from project partners.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Applicant must have relevant knowledge in both development and private Sector; good understanding and work experience in value chain development and agribusiness operations. She/he must have strong knowledge, passionate about green jobs for youth, and experience in climate smart issues in Nigeria.
• Master’s degree plus Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in relevant disciplines, such as: Agribusiness, Agricultural Economy or Business Administration and /or related field;
• At least five (5) years of experience in developing and implementing project, in larger and complex/multi-sectoral projects/programmes desired.
• Proven experience in project implementation having relevant understanding of value chain development and other events for value chain stakeholders.
• Result-orientation and ability to take initiatives under minimal supervision, and to reach targets.
• Strong agribusiness relationship management experience and focus with the ability to stimulate trust and confidence with clients and investors including managing various stakeholders,
• Good project management skills; ability to contribute to the project’s overall M&E system will be a plus;
• Excellent organising, negotiation, influencing and advisory/coaching and networking skills;
• Flexible approach to take on additional responsibilities as assigned/delegated;
• Willingness to travel to all project locations;
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills.

Key competencies

• Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change.
• Able to lead and take ownership of deliverables
• Ability to effectively communicate with farmers and entrepreneurs along the agricultural value chain.
• Strong interpersonal skills with excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with governments and the private sector including influencing skills and experience of working effectively in a matrix organisation.
• Able to support and energise multi-partner project teams.
• Experience in knowledge management and documentation.
• Team player and confident to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural setting.

Additional Information

Contract Type: Employment Contract

Contract Duration:  Two (2) year full-time National employment contract

Expected Start Date: 15 November 2026, depending on contract award date

Duty Station: Abuja, Nigeria

Application and Selection Process

How to apply 

If your credentials meet the outlined profile, and you feel inspired by this opportunity, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and motivation letter in English on Smart Recruiters. Deadline is October 19, 2026

NB: only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If this role isn’t the right fit but you’re interested in joining SNV in the future, we invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and our career page Vacancies | SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile.

Working at SNV 
At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth. We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future, expand your skills, and collaborate with a vibrant, global network of experts. At SNV your contribution matter, and your development is our priority.

We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote (international) career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with external backgrounds and experience. All with an inquisitive view and united in ‘ONE SNV’ working towards our purpose.

Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Reference and vetting check

At SNV, our belief in the CARE principles — Commitment to impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice — shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. These values guide how we welcome new team members, ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust, safety, and dignity for all.

As part of our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, we carry out reference and background checks for all determined positions, with particular attention to safeguarding. You will be invited to provide the contact details of [two] referees, and we will only approach them once you have given your permission. We handle this process with care, empathy, and strict confidentiality, using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for.

SNV is committed to safeguarding and to protecting children and adults from all forms of harm, with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of misconduct. As part of creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment, all staff, consultants, and partners are expected to uphold SNV’s safeguarding, child protection, ethical standards, and CARE principles. In line with these commitments — and as a participant in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) — SNV will request a Statement of Conduct from your previous employer(s), covering any substantiated findings of misconduct, to ensure a recruitment process that safeguards and protect the communities we serve.