State Team Lead (Ekiti), Upcoming Advocacy Project at Ikore International Development Limited

About the Role

• 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.

Key Responsibilities

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.