- The State Team Lead will provide overall leadership, coordination and technical oversight for programme implementation within the assigned state. The position is responsible for translating programme strategies into high-quality field implementation by coordinating Farmer Organization (FO) strengthening, farmer-led advocacy, stakeholder engagement, evidence generation and market systems interventions. Working closely with technical specialists, government institutions, private-sector actors and Farmer Organizations, the State Team Lead will ensure timely delivery of project activities, achievement of state-level targets, effective team management and compliance with programme standards. The role will also serve as the primary liaison between the programme and state-level stakeholders, promoting local ownership and sustainability of programme outcomes.
Programme Coordination and Implementation
- Lead implementation of all programme activities within the assigned state in accordance with approved workplans and project timelines.
- Technical coordination of Farmer Champions, Women Champions, Youth Innovation Ambassadors, Short-term consultants and facilitators engaged within the State.
- Coordinate the delivery of Farmer Organization strengthening, advocacy, communication, gender, evidence generation and market engagement activities.
- Ensure integration of technical interventions across project components.
- Monitor implementation progress and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
- Supervise state-based project staff and provide coaching and performance support.
- Coordinate workplans, field schedules and team assignments.
- Support preparation of state activity budgets and implementation plans.
- Coordinate logistics for field activities, meetings, trainings and stakeholder engagements.
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management
- Build and maintain productive relationships with State Ministries, Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs), Local Government authorities, Farmer Organizations, private-sector actors, financial institutions, research organizations and civil society partners.
- Represent the programme at state-level coordination meetings, technical working groups and stakeholder forums.
- Facilitate collaboration between Farmer Organizations and public and private sector actors to strengthen market systems and advocacy outcomes.
Farmer Organization Strengthening
- Coordinate identification, mobilization and engagement of participating Farmer Organizations.
- Support implementation of institutional strengthening and leadership development activities.
- Promote Farmer Organizations as sustainable advocacy, learning and market coordination platforms.
- Monitor organizational performance and institutional growth.
Farmer-led Advocacy and Community Engagement
- Coordinate implementation of farmer-led advocacy activities across the state.
- Support Farmer Organizations to identify advocacy priorities and engage relevant stakeholders.
- Oversee community mobilization, demonstration activities, peer learning events and advocacy campaigns.
- Promote inclusive participation of women, youth and underserved groups.
Monitoring, Learning and Reporting
- Monitor implementation against approved targets, indicators and workplans.
- Ensure timely collection, verification and submission of programme data and reports.
- Document lessons learned, success stories, innovations and implementation challenges.
- Support programme reviews, learning events and adaptive management processes.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Ensure programme activities meet approved technical and operational quality standards.
- Monitor compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies and project procedures.
- Support donor monitoring missions, audits and programme evaluations.
- Identify implementation risks and support mitigation measures.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Master's degree in Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Development Studies, Public Administration, Agribusiness, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
- Professional certification in Project Management or Programme Management will be an added advantage.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience implementing agriculture, rural development or market systems programmes.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating field implementation and supervising multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven experience working with Farmer Organizations, cooperatives, government institutions and private-sector actors.
- Experience implementing donor-funded programmes, preferably involving advocacy, institutional strengthening or agricultural value chains.
- Strong understanding of agricultural market systems, stakeholder engagement and community mobilization.
- Excellent coordination, leadership, communication and report-writing skills.
Language & Location Requirements
- Fluency in spoken and written English with excellent report writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively in the dominant local language of the assigned state is required.
- Ability to facilitate community meetings, stakeholder consultations and Farmer Organization engagements in both English and the relevant local language.
- Applicants must be a resident of choice of state or be willing to relocate immediately upon employment.