Senior Program Officer Full-time Job

About CNFA:

CNFA is a global leader in fostering private sector agricultural development to increase incomes, improve food security, and enhance the sustainability of agriculture. CNFA helps smallholders increase agricultural production and rural incomes through improved agronomic practices, market linkages, financial access, and other innovations. Active in 43 countries around the world, CNFA’s work is grounded on the principle that markets offer the best pathway to prosperity.

Project Description:

The anticipated USAID-funded Resilient Governance in Niger (RGN) Activity will support the Government of Niger (GON) at the national, regional, and local levels to establish the foundations for accountable and citizen-responsive governance, a crucial ingredient for resilience. RGN will aim to ensure a more citizen-responsive and accountable GON is more able to develop and execute strategies, plans, and budgets that focus on and achieve development goals in partnership with civil society and other stakeholders, delivering for the people of Niger.

Job Summary:

CNFA is seeking a Senior Program Officer (SPO) to manage technical and operational project activities related to accountable and citizen-responsive governance, supporting GON at the national, regional, and local levels, in Niger. The Senior Program Officer is responsible for ensuring that assigned programmatic interventions are implemented effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner to meet project goals and objectives. S/he will provide technical support and guidance to the project team and partners in planning, implementing, and monitoring governance-related activities. The Senior Program Officer should demonstrate a commitment to accountability, citizen-responsive governance, and delivering for the people of Niger.

Responsibilities:

Manage the implementation of technical activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives and work plan.

Conduct assessments and analyses of governance-related challenges and opportunities at the national, regional, and local levels.

Provide technical support to government counterparts, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in designing and implementing citizen-responsive governance initiatives.

Support the development of capacity-building programs for government officials and civil society actors to enhance their skills and knowledge in accountable governance and citizen engagement.

Facilitate dialogue and collaboration among government, civil society, and private sector actors to promote inclusive governance processes.

Support monitoring and evaluation efforts to measure the impact of governance interventions and identify areas for improvement.

Document lessons learned and best practices from project activities and disseminate them to relevant stakeholders.

Maintain close communication with the project team and partners, ensuring timely information sharing and coordination.

Represent CNFA in meetings and events related to accountable governance and citizen engagement.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, governance, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum of five years of experience in project management, governance, and/or international development.

Strong understanding of governance principles, including accountability, transparency, and citizen participation.

Experience working with government institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in Niger or similar contexts.

Demonstrated ability to design and implement effective governance interventions.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Fluency in French and English required. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Niger is an asset.

Experience working on USAID-funded projects is highly desirable.

Experience in mentoring and capacity building is an asset.

Strong Microsoft Office skills and literacy, specifically in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

CNFA is an international agricultural development organization specializing in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives. We build strong local and global partnerships to increase incomes, improve food security, and enrich the environment.