Job Overview

AgDiL is seeking a State Team Lead in Abuja with 7 years’ experience to coordinate agricultural development, market systems and stakeholder partnerships.

State Team Lead at AgriFood Digital Library and Resource Center

Posted: August 14, 2026
Deadline: Not specified
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Field: Agriculture / Agro-Allied
Experience: 7 years
Remuneration: Competitive consultancy package

Job Overview

AgriFood Digital Library and Resource Center (AgDiL) is identifying an experienced State Team Lead for a proposed multi-year agricultural development programme focused on strengthening Nigeria’s ginger and sesame value chains.

The programme is expected to work across selected states, with activities covering agricultural productivity, climate-smart agriculture, enterprise development, market systems strengthening, and last-mile service delivery.

The State Team Lead will be responsible for coordinating implementation within an assigned state. The position combines programme management, team leadership, stakeholder engagement, private-sector development, performance monitoring, and operational oversight.

This is a potential deployment opportunity during the programme preparation stage. Appointment and deployment are subject to project award and funding approval.

About AgriFood Digital Library and Resource Center

AgriFood Digital Library and Resource Center is focused on supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing access to useful resources, expert mentorship, and a supportive business community.

The organization works within the agri-food development space, where access to information, technical support, business resources, and stronger connections between market participants can help agricultural enterprises grow.

For this proposed programme, the focus is on strengthening the ginger and sesame value chains through improved productivity, enterprise development, market systems, climate-smart approaches, and better last-mile services.

Organization website: agdil.com

What the State Team Lead Will Do

The State Team Lead will serve as the main coordination point for programme implementation in the assigned state. The role requires someone who can connect programme strategy with practical field delivery while keeping teams, partners, resources, and performance targets aligned.

Lead State Programme Implementation

Key responsibilities will include:

• Planning and coordinating programme activities in line with approved workplans, budgets, and implementation schedules.
• Developing state-level implementation plans and tracking programme milestones.
• Coordinating technical specialists, field officers, consultants, and support teams.
• Monitoring implementation progress and addressing operational challenges that could affect delivery.
• Ensuring programme resources are used effectively.
• Providing implementation updates and strategic advice to programme management.

The successful candidate will need to balance strategic planning with practical problem-solving, particularly when field conditions require adjustments to the original implementation plan.

Build Partnerships Across the Agricultural Sector

Stakeholder engagement will be a major part of the position.

The State Team Lead will build and maintain relationships with:

• State government institutions and local authorities.
• Private-sector companies.
• Producer organizations and farmer groups.
• Financial institutions.
• Research organizations.
• Development partners.
• Other relevant agricultural market actors.

The role will also support partnerships that improve access to quality agricultural inputs, finance, extension services, aggregation, processing, and markets.

A key objective will be helping different participants in the ginger and sesame value chains work together in ways that improve competitiveness and create commercially sustainable opportunities.

The State Team Lead will represent the programme at state-level meetings, technical working groups, stakeholder forums, and other coordination platforms.

Monitor Performance and Maintain Quality

The position includes responsibility for ensuring that implementation remains on track and meets agreed standards.

The State Team Lead will:

• Supervise state implementation teams.
• Monitor progress against programme targets.
• Support corrective action when activities fall behind expectations.
• Work with the MERL team to ensure programme data and evidence are collected properly and on time.
• Review lessons and stakeholder feedback to improve implementation.
• Encourage an adaptive approach when field experience shows that changes are needed.
• Help technical teams keep interventions practical and responsive to beneficiary needs.

Manage Compliance, Risk and Reporting

The successful candidate will also have an important role in programme accountability.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements.
• Supporting adherence to safeguarding, financial, and operational procedures.
• Identifying implementation risks and developing appropriate mitigation measures.
• Reviewing state-level workplans, reports, activity documentation, and implementation updates before submission.
• Maintaining accurate records of activities, stakeholder engagements, and results.
• Supporting donor missions, audits, programme reviews, and monitoring visits.

Strong documentation and communication will therefore be important alongside leadership ability.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should have a Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following areas:

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Economics
• Agribusiness
• Rural Development
• Project Management
• Business Administration
• Development Studies
• A related discipline

A Master’s degree is an added advantage.

The vacancy requires a minimum of seven years of progressive experience managing agricultural development, enterprise development, market systems, or donor-funded programmes.

Candidates should also demonstrate experience in:

• Leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Coordinating programmes involving multiple stakeholders at state or regional level.
• Understanding agricultural value chains and market systems.
• Private-sector engagement and enterprise development.
• Working with government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, private companies, and farmer organizations.
• Managing workplans, budgets, implementation schedules, and operational resources.

Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills are expected.

Applicants should also be comfortable using Microsoft Office applications and programme reporting tools.

Additional Experience That May Be an Advantage

The following experience is listed as preferred:

• Leadership of multi-state agricultural development programmes.
• Work on donor-funded market systems or private-sector development initiatives.
• A professional certification in Project Management or a related discipline.

These qualifications are not presented as mandatory requirements in the vacancy, but they may strengthen an applicant’s profile.

Who Is This Role Suited To?

This position is aimed at an experienced programme or development professional who can manage people and partnerships while maintaining a clear focus on implementation results.

Candidates whose backgrounds combine agricultural development with programme management, market systems, private-sector engagement, or donor-funded projects may find the responsibilities particularly relevant.

The role also requires someone comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders. Experience dealing directly with government, businesses, farmer organizations, financial institutions, and development partners should therefore be clearly presented in the CV.

Remuneration

The vacancy states that the position comes with a competitive consultancy package. No specific amount has been disclosed.

Important Application Note

The original vacancy instructs applicants to use “Communications Manager – Solicitation Phase Application” as the email subject.

That subject does not correspond with the advertised State Team Lead position. Because this appears to be an inconsistency in the source vacancy, applicants should verify the correct email subject with AgDiL or through the official application channel before submitting their documents.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application Tips

For a senior programme leadership position, applicants should avoid submitting a generic CV if possible.

Give particular attention to experience involving programme leadership, agricultural value chains, stakeholder coordination, budgets, workplans, private-sector engagement, market systems, donor-funded projects, and team management.

Your one-page cover letter should focus on the experience that directly connects you to the proposed programme rather than simply repeating information already contained in your CV.

Because the programme is still subject to award and funding approval, applicants should also understand that this is an opportunity for potential deployment rather than a confirmed project implementation appointment.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are instructed to either apply online on AgriFood Digital Library and Resource Center (AgDiL)  recruitment platform: or send an updated CV and a one-page cover letter to:

jobs@agdil.com

The CV should highlight relevant technical and leadership experience.