Partnerships Manager

AI summary

TechnoServe is hiring a Partnerships Manager to lead external engagement across public, private, and civil society sectors in Nigeria. The role focuses on building strategic partnerships with TVET institutions, ESOs, government agencies, and financial institutions to advance inclusive economic development, food processing, and waste-to-value activities for young women and persons with disabilities.

• Primary external-facing representative building trust across public, private, and civil society sectors
• Focus on inclusive sourcing, backward integration, and policy advocacy
• Engage TVET institutions, ESOs, government agencies, and financial institutions
• Support job creation for young women and persons with disabilities
• Work spans ten implementation states across Nigeria

Original source description

Partnerships Manager at TechnoServe ⏲ Aug 21, 2026, 8:10 AM ⋕ View all Sales & Business Development jobs TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs, and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives. We are recruiting to fill the position below: Job Title: Partnerships Manager Location : Nigeria Job Summary The ideal candidate will have exceptional networking and negotiation skills, deep understanding of multi-stakeholder collaboration, and proven ability to influence policy and practice in support of inclusive economic development. The Partnerships Manager will serve as a primary external-facing representative of the project, building trust and credibility with stakeholders across public, private, and civil society sectors. This role focuses on fostering inclusive sourcing, backward integration, and policy advocacy to create sustainable job opportunities for young women and persons with disabilities (PWD). The Partnerships Manager will build and manage strategic partnerships, engaging diverse stakeholders including processors, Technical and Vocational Education: and Training (TVET) institutions, Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs), government agencies, financial institutions, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to scale impact in food processing and waste-to-value (W2V) activities. Primary Functions & Responsibilities: Technical & Vocational Education: and Training (TVET) Engagement: Work with TVETs to align curriculum with industry needs and embed food processing and W2V content into existing programs Engage TVET instructors in project training programs and capacity building initiatives Establish and maintain relationships with TVET institutions, polytechnics, and universities across the ten implementation states Facilitate internship and apprenticeship opportunities for TVET students with processing companies and W2V enterprises Support TVETs in developing practical training facilities and updating equipment to meet industry standards Develop memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with TVETs for participant recruitment, training delivery, and internship placement Explore opportunities for certification and accreditation of project training through TVET institutions. Create pathways for TVET graduates to transition into employment or entrepreneurship in target value chains Enterprise Support Organization (ESO) & Business Development Services: Build capacity of ESOs to deliver inclusive business development services Leverage ESO networks for market linkages, peer learning, and advocacy. Engage business associations, chambers of commerce, and industry groups in project activities Support ESOs in developing specialized services for women-led and PWD-led enterprises Create referral mechanisms between the project and ESO networks for ongoing business support Partner with ESOs, business development service providers, and business membership organizations to extend project reach and impact Facilitate ESO participation in training delivery, business advisory services, and mentorship programs Government Relations & Policy Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with relevant government ministries, departments, and agencies at federal, state, and local levels. Engage with government initiatives such as Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), import substitution programs, and youth employment schemes to create complementarities and avoid duplication Participate in policy dialogues, working groups, and technical committees related to agricultural processing, youth employment, and inclusive development Support the development of regulations, standards, and guidelines that create an enabling environment for micro and small processors Advocate for policies that support gender inclusion, GBV prevention, PWD accommodations, and fair labor practices in food processing Facilitate project participation in government-led forums, exhibitions, and promotional events Monitor policy developments and regulatory changes that may affect project activities or target beneficiaries. Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) Collaboration: Engage OPDs in accessibility assessments of training venues, work environments, and project activities Document and share success stories of PWD participants to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusion. Collaborate with OPDs in developing tailored training approaches and reasonable accommodations Create platforms for PWD entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and connect with market opportunities Ensure PWD voices and perspectives inform project design and implementation through regular consultation Partner with OPDs for identification and recruitment of PWD participants Support OPDs in advocating for disability rights and inclusive employment in the food processing sector Establish and maintain strong working relationships with OPDs at national and state levels Partnership Performance & Adaptive Management: Establish clear partnership frameworks with defined roles, responsibilities, and mutual commitments Conduct regular partnership review meetings and adjustment of strategies as needed Document partnership processes, challenges, and solutions to inform adaptive management Ensure partnerships prioritize youth, women, and PWD through incentive mechanisms such as grants, recognition, or preferential access to project resources. Develop partnership success stories and case studies for communication and advocacy purposes Monitor partnership performance against agreed objectives and indicators Share lessons learned and best practices with project team to inform program design and implementation Requirements: Qualifications: Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, International Relations, or related field with 7 years of experience; OR a Master’s Degree with at least 5 years of experience. Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation skills with a proven ability to broker deals and find "win-win" solutions in complex multi-party discussions. Languages: Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Hausa, Yoruba, or Igbo is a significant advantage. Technical Experience: Experience: in agriculture, food processing, or agribusiness sectors, ideally with donor-funded programs. Proven Track Record: Must have demonstrated experience: creating job and work opportunities for youth, women, and disenfranchised populations. Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of policy advocacy processes and experience: influencing government policy Experience: organizing high-level events, forums, and multi-stakeholder dialogues Experience: working in Nigeria with donor-funded programs on youth employment, agricultural development, or private sector engagement Background in private sector development or public-private partnerships. Experience: with market systems development approaches and facilitative programming Prior work on gender equality and disability inclusion initiatives Established networks within Nigeria's food processing industry, government, or development sector Required Languages: Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in local languages (Hausa, Yoruba, or Igbo) is highly advantageous for stakeholder engagement. Travel: At least 50% of the time for partner meetings, stakeholder engagements, and field visits across the ten implementation states. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Solid understanding of Nigeria’s agriculture, employment, and social inclusion landscape, with experience: in policy engagement and inclusive market-based approaches. Proven ability to build and manage strategic partnerships across government and private sector stakeholders, including negotiation and facilitation of multi-party agreements. Strong strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and systems perspective, with the ability to identify and structure high-value partnerships aligned with project objectives. Technical knowledge of agribusiness value chains (soybean, sesame, tomato, ginger), youth employment, TVET systems, and circular economy concepts. Proficient in MS Office, CRM platforms, and virtual collaboration tools; adaptable, ethical, and collaborative in approach. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution skills, supported by project coordination and event management experience. How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply online View all Jobs in Nigeria Partnerships Manager job vacancies in Nigeria