Policy and Partnerships Officer at Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Limited

Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition LimitedProject Scope 

The RISE (Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable Economies) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), is a five-year initiative aimed at promoting climate-resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. The project will be implemented by MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) in partnership with Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition Ltd. Together, the two organizations will work to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs within the Rice, Maize, Groundnut and Soybean value chains, particularly women and youth in Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano states. The initiative aligns with Canada’s aim to address gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability throughout its implementation.

Overview

The Policy and Partnerships Advisor will lead engagement with government and private stakeholders and relevant partners to shape and influence policy dialogues on the RISE program. The Advisor will ensure alignment between project objectives and national/regional priorities and champion evidence-based advocacy to enhance systemic impact and sustainability.

Role Responsibilities

Policy Analysis and Strategic Engagement

Analyze national and sub-national policies, frameworks, and institutional landscapes relevant to agriculture (in focus value chains), trade, gender, and climate change.
Identify policy opportunities and constraints limiting smallholder farmers, agri-SMEs, women, and youth in value chains.
Design and implement advocacy strategies that elevate the voices of women’s groups and youth-led enterprises in relevant policy forums and decision-making spaces.

Stakeholder Relations and Partnership

Build and maintain strong relationships with government ministries, regulatory bodies, regional institutions, and civil society actors.
Represent the RISE project in policy forums, working groups, and multi-stakeholder platforms.
Coordinate with MEDA and other consortium partners to ensure unified and strategic external positioning.

Advocacy and Influence

Lead the design and execution of advocacy campaigns to promote evidence-based recommendations from project learnings.
Prepare and disseminate policy briefs, position papers, and stakeholder communication materials.
Facilitate dialogue between grassroots stakeholders and policy actors to ensure inclusive policymaking.

Knowledge Translation and Learning

Translate research and MEL findings into actionable policy insights and influence strategies.
Organize learning events, policy roundtables, and knowledge-sharing workshops.
Contribute to documentation of lessons learned, case studies, and policy impact narratives.

Role Requirements

Master’s degree in public policy, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, International Relations, or a related field.
At least 5 years of progressive experience in policy engagement, advocacy, or stakeholder relations in development or public sector settings.
Proven track record of influencing public policies and coordinating multi-stakeholder advocacy efforts.
Strong understanding of Nigeria’s policy environment in agriculture, trade, gender, and climate resilience.
Demonstrated ability to advocate for gender-responsive policies and build partnerships that promote women's and youth participation in agricultural and economic systems..
Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with political acumen and diplomacy.
Experience working on donor-funded projects is desirable
Proficiency in producing high-quality policy content (briefs, reports, talking points).
Knowledge of participatory and inclusive policy development processes.