The Role

The Head, Agricultural Value Chain Development & Partnerships will lead the design, development, coordination, and optimization of Produce for Lagos' agricultural value chain ecosystem. The role is responsible for building strategic partnerships that strengthen production, aggregation, processing, logistics, financing, market access, and structured trade across priority agricultural commodities.

Reporting directly to the Director of Research & Business Development, the successful candidate will work closely with government agencies, farmers, cooperatives, commodity associations, aggregators, processors, financial institutions, development finance institutions (DFIs), research institutions, development partners, logistics providers, retailers, and export organizations to create a resilient, efficient, and commercially sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

The ideal candidate must possess strong commercial acumen, deep knowledge of agricultural markets, stakeholder management expertise, and the ability to build high-impact partnerships that drive investment, food security, and inclusive economic growth.

Key Responsibilities

Agricultural Value Chain Development

Develop and execute comprehensive value chain development strategies across priority agricultural commodities.
Identify bottlenecks within production, aggregation, storage, transportation, processing, distribution, and market access, and implement sustainable solutions.
Strengthen linkages among farmers, aggregators, processors, logistics providers, retailers, exporters, and institutional buyers.
Drive initiatives that improve productivity, quality assurance, traceability, and post-harvest management.
Promote climate-smart and sustainable agricultural practices across the value chain.

Strategic Partnerships

Develop and manage strategic partnerships with Federal and State Government agencies, development partners, DFIs, NGOs, commodity associations, research institutions, and private sector organizations.
Negotiate and execute Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), strategic alliances, and partnership agreements.
Build collaborative relationships that unlock technical assistance, funding opportunities, market access, and investment.
Coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives that advance Produce for Lagos' strategic objectives.
Maintain strong engagement with donor agencies and international development organizations.

Market Development & Commercial Linkages

Expand structured market access for farmers and agribusinesses.
Identify new domestic and international market opportunities.
Strengthen relationships with off-takers, processors, retailers, exporters, manufacturers, and institutional buyers.
Develop initiatives that improve commodity commercialization and value addition.
Facilitate structured commodity trading and offtake arrangements.

Producer Development

Support the organization and strengthening of farmer cooperatives and producer organizations.
Develop programmes that improve farmer productivity, business management, and market readiness.
Promote inclusive participation of women, youth, and smallholder farmers within agricultural value chains.
Coordinate technical capacity-building programmes for producers and value chain participants.
Drive adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and quality standards.

Investment Promotion

Identify investment opportunities across agricultural value chains.
Facilitate investment partnerships between private investors and agricultural enterprises.
Collaborate with financial institutions to improve access to finance for producers and agribusinesses.
Support development of bankable agricultural investment opportunities.
Promote blended finance and innovative financing mechanisms.

Stakeholder Engagement

Serve as the primary relationship manager for agricultural ecosystem stakeholders.
Coordinate regular stakeholder engagement forums.
Build trust among producers, investors, government agencies, and private sector partners.
Resolve partnership issues and strengthen collaboration across the ecosystem.
Represent Produce for Lagos at conferences, investment forums, and industry engagements.

Policy & Sector Development

Monitor emerging agricultural policies, market trends, and regulatory developments.
Provide strategic recommendations that improve competitiveness and value chain efficiency.
Support policy advocacy initiatives that enhance agricultural investment and food security.
Collaborate with relevant government agencies on agricultural development programmes.

Monitoring, Performance & Reporting

Establish performance indicators for value chain development initiatives.
Monitor partnership performance and programme outcomes.
Prepare periodic reports on ecosystem growth, partnership effectiveness, and market performance.
Utilize data and market intelligence to support evidence-based decision-making.

Qualification & Skills

Minimum of 15–20 years of progressive experience in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural value chain development, rural development, agrifinance, or related sectors.
Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, or related discipline.
Master's degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Development Studies, Business Administration, or a related field is highly desirable.
Demonstrated experience developing agricultural value chains and market systems.
Strong understanding of agricultural production systems, commodity markets, structured trade, food security, and agricultural financing.
Proven track record in building strategic partnerships across public and private sectors.
Experience working with development finance institutions, donor agencies, multilateral organizations, and government programmes.
Strong commercial negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
Excellent project and programme management capability.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
High level of financial and commercial acumen.
Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams.
Experience in policy engagement and agricultural sector development.
Strong relationship management and influencing skills.
Experience working in multicultural and cross-functional environments.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and agricultural data management tools.