About Partners of the Americas

Partners of the Americas (POA), a private voluntary organization engaged in development in the Western Hemisphere. POA’s network of Chapters across the Americas, Middle East and Africa forms the core of our work. We also welcome individuals, organizations, and higher education institutions as members. Inspired by President Kennedy and founded in 1964 under the Alliance for Progress, Partners of the Americas is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with international offices in Washington, D.C. 

The USDA Food for Progress Nigeria project, implemented by Partners of the Americas (POA) under USDA funding, focuses on poultry and aquaculture within the Agriculture and Agricultural Trade sectors. The project’s objective is to increase productivity in these areas and expand trade by strengthening market systems, improving compliance with international standards, and fostering public-private partnerships.

Position Summary

Partners of the Americas (POA) seeks an experienced Technical Lead, US Exports for USDA Food for Progress Nigeria, a multi-year initiative focused on poultry and aquaculture within Agriculture and Agricultural Trade. The program aims to expand agricultural trade to and from Nigeria by increasing poultry and aquaculture productivity, improving access to trade finance, and reducing non-tariff trade barriers, implemented across Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Edo, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). 

This position serves as the technical lead for supporting American farmers in exporting their products to Nigeria. The Technical Lead will equip U.S. producers, exporters, and commodity cooperators with trade finance tools such as credit guarantees, credit insurance, and SBA export working capital solutions; build the capacity of Nigerian commercial banks and importers to access and execute transactions using U.S. export credit facilities; and organize major three-day U.S.-Nigeria Buyer-Importer Matchmaking Conferences. 

This position reports to the Technical Director. The Technical Lead, US Exports will be based in Lagos, Nigeria, with regular domestic travel within Nigeria.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Lead the formulation, implementation, and tracking of all project interventions aimed at driving cumulative U.S. agricultural commodity exports. 

• Deliver virtual workshops and customized technical assistance for U.S. producers, agricultural exporters, and commodity cooperators on U.S. export financing instruments.

• Plan and execute targeted workshops and advisory services for Nigerian commercial banks and agricultural importers to facilitate enrollment, eligibility approval, and active utilization of the USDA GSM-102 program. 

• Conceptualize, organize, and execute major three-day U.S.-Nigeria Buyer-Importer Matchmaking Conferences, connecting American agricultural producers and cooperators directly with qualified Nigerian buyers. 

• Build and sustain collaborative technical partnerships with U.S. agricultural trade associations such as USSEC, U.S. Wheat Associates, and U.S. Grains Council, and with Nigerian import federations, feed millers, and agribusiness aggregators. 

• Establish rigorous verification and tracking tools to record U.S. export sales volumes, trade credit utilization, and commercial deal pipelines resulting from project interventions. 

• Ensure full compliance with POA and donor marking requirements and communication standards across all buyer conferences, trade publications, and media engagements. 

• Prepare high-quality technical inputs for annual work plans, semi-annual performance reports, success stories, and buyer conference evaluation summaries. 

• Maintain close coordination with local port authorities and Nigerian trade ministries to ensure smooth trade execution and resolve market bottlenecks. 

Team Management 

• Develop team capacity, deepen understanding of roles and responsibilities, and assist in career development. 

• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance and achieve goals. 

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback formally and informally with regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews. 

• Create and maintain a mutually respectful work environment where team members strive for excellence. Hire, mentor, and direct team members as needed. 

Responsibilities of All Partners’ Team Members 

• Have a clear and deep understanding of POA and donor policies and standards to comply with programmatic, financial, administrative, procurement, logistics, human resources, and security processes.

Job Specifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in management and technical leadership roles in international agricultural trade, trade finance, export development, or agricultural market facilitation, specifically focused on U.S.-Africa trade flows. 

• Professional with an advanced degree (preferably a master’s degree) in International Trade, Agricultural Economics, International Business, Agribusiness, Economics, or a related field.

• Expert technical knowledge and practical experience operating U.S. government export financing programs, including USDA GSM-102, EXIM Bank credit insurance, and SBA export working capital facilities. 

• Proven track record organizing international B2B buyer-seller matchmaking conferences, trade missions, and facilitating high-value commercial trade transactions between international suppliers and African importers. 

• In-depth understanding of Nigerian import regulations, commercial banking procedures, foreign exchange systems, port clearance operations (e.g., Lagos Apapa and Tin Can), and feed commodity market dynamics (poultry and aquaculture). 

• Established technical network with agricultural commodity cooperators, agribusiness exporters, and major Nigerian feed millers and importers. 

• Advanced proficiency in English with superior written and oral communication skills; working knowledge of local languages (Yoruba, Hausa, or Igbo) is desirable. 

• Knowledge of project management tools such as Smartsheet and data management platforms such as Power BI and trade analytics tools is desirable.

To Apply 

Please submit a CV and cover letter to amusa@partners.net with the subject “Technical Lead, US Exports”.  Please note that only finalists will be contacted.

Partners is Proud To Be An Equal Employment Opportunity And Affirmative Action Employer. Partners Does Not Discriminate In Employment On The Basis Of Race, Color, Religion, Sex (Including Pregnancy And Gender Identity), National Origin, Political Affiliation, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Disability, Genetic Information, Age, Membership In An Employee Organization, Retaliation, Parental Status, Military Service, Or Other Non-Merit Factor.