Since 2005, ECOWAS has adopted a regional agricultural policy (ECOWAP) attached to the Detailed Programme for the Development of African Agriculture (PDDAA). After a first generation covering the period 2005-2015, ECOWAP/PDDAA has a second generation of agricultural investment and food and nutrition security programmes (PRIASAN at the regional level and PNIASAN at the country level) focused on Malabo’s commitments.

As part of the implementation of this agricultural policy, the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA) has been ARAA and has a mandate to "ensure the technical implementation of regional investment programmes and plans that contribute to the operationalization of ECOWAS agricultural policy, drawing on institutions, agencies and regional actors with proven competences."

The ARAA has so far under its coordination thirteen (13) regional projects/programs. These projects/programs contribute to the achievement of ECOWAP's four specific objectives: i) Contribute to increasing productivity and agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries production through diversified and sustainable production systems, and to reducing post-production losses, (ii) Promote contractual, inclusive and competitive agricultural and agri-food value chains geared towards regional and international demand, and in a regional market integration perspective, iii) Improving access to food, nutrition and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable populations, iv) Improving the business environment, governance and financing mechanisms for the agroslvyopastoral and fisheries and agri-food sectors"

In its mission, the ARAA has set up a technical operations division to provide technical supervision for all projects and programmes. In addition to this mission, it is strengthening the technical capacity of national and regional executives in various areas. The aim of this action is to enable the West African region to have the human resources to support the effort to implement the National Agricultural Investment and Food Security Plans (PNIASAN) and the Regional Agricultural Investment and Food Security Programme (PRIASAN) the various interventions in the field of agricultural and rural development.

In order to support the implementation efforts of the NIASN and to enable young graduates of the ECOWAS space to gain relevant experience in the field, ARAA wants to recruit two professional trainees in the field of food security

Task and Responsibilities

Under the responsibility of the Head of the Technical Operations Division of the ARAA, and the technical supervision of the Food Safety Programme Officer the trainees will be required to perform the following tasks:

• Support the collection and capitalization of information on food and nutrition security,
• To monitor the processing of program files under the supervision of the operational division,
• Contribute to the production of briefing notes by providing the necessary data,
• Contribute to the development of project coordination meeting reports
• Building databases on potential partners (NGOs, nationals, federations of NGOs, fact-making organisations)
• Contribution to the analysis of project documents submitted in the context of various programmes (stripping, gathering of information, drawing up minutes, etc.)
• Support monitoring of field actions
• Participate in the management of knowledge across all programs;
• Participate alongside ARAA in the daily monitoring of field projects under implementation;
• Contribute to the drafting of technical reports on the implementation of the activities of the various projects
• Perform any other activity requested by ECOWAS

Qualifications / Experiences/Skills

• At least a bachelor's degree in agriculture, agro-economics, zootechnics, animal health, plant protection, food security, or any other related discipline;
• Have general qualifications in the areas of policy and development programme at least at the local level, environmental management and natural resources, agri business and value chains, sustainable agriculture, project management, agricultural information collection;
• Have at least 2 years of field experience in project management at the national level, agribusiness, agricultural entrepreneurship
• Have experience with local NGOs or farmers' organizations;
• Have a perfect mastery of computer tools (the following software: Word, Excel, Power point).

Language

Having mastered one of ECOWAS' three working languages (English, French, Portuguese) is required. A good linguistic (written and oral) knowledge of a second working language of the Commission would be an asset.

Location, Duration and Start of Mission

The internship will be at the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA). Interns may be required to conduct field missions or participate in meetings both in and out of headquarters. The duration of the internship is six (6) calendar months from the date of notification to the trainee, this duration is renewable only once.

Nominations file

The application file consists of:

• A letter of expression of interest, including the time of availability;
• A recent resume detailing work experience and similar assignments;
• Three professional references (names and surnames, current functions, functions at the time of collaboration with the trainee, email and telephone contacts);
• Copy of the bachelor's degree in agriculture, agro-economics, zootechnics, animal health, plant protection, food security, or any other related discipline;
• Copy of the work or service certificates rendered, listed in the resume.

NB: Any incomplete file will be rejected.

Nominations

Applications are received by July 24, 2020 at 4:00 PM GMT, by hand or email filings at the following addresses:

• Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), 83, Rue de la Pasture, Lomé, Togo (in closed folder with title or name: "Candidate, for the position of professional trainee in the field of food and nutrition security in support of the Technical Operations Division of the ARAA"
• Email : procurement.consultants@araa.org
• Subject: "Professional intern in the field of food and nutrition security in support of the Technical Operations Division of the ARAA"

NB: Applications that will not be marked "Professional Trainee in The Food and Nutrition Security in Support of ARAA's Technical Operations Division" will not be considered.

Selection method

The consultant will be selected using the qualification-based selection method as defined in the ECOWAS Public Procurement Code. An interview session will be organized on the basis of a short list of short-listed consultants.

Only shortlisted applications will be contacted. The ARAA reserves the right not to act on this expression of interest.