Manager, ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO)

FRENCH VERSION ATTACHED ECOWAS RICE OBSERVATORY (ERO) CALL FOR APPLICATIONS ERO Manager Position at a Glance Position Manager, ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO) Organization ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO) / ECOWAS Commission Location Abuja, Nigeria Reporting to ERO Board and ECOWAS Commission Supervised by Director of Agriculture and Rural Development — ECOWAS Commission Contract type Individual Consultant — 1-year renewable, based on performance and funding Closing date May 5th, 2026 – 11:59 PM GMT Reference ARAA/ERO/2026/SCI013 1. Background and Context 1.1 The ECOWAS Rice Agenda West Africa's rice sector is a cornerstone of regional food security, yet a persistent structural deficit means the region currently produces only 60% of its own demand. Per capita rice consumption is among the highest in the world — ranging from 100 to 200 kilograms per person per year, depending on the country — while domestic production continues to fall short of meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population. In 2014, the ECOWAS Commission adopted the Rice Offensive, a strategic framework to foster a sustainable revival of rice cultivation in West Africa and to support the National Rice Development Strategies (NRDS) of Member States towards achieving rice self-sufficiency. A Regional Action Plan (2020–2025) was subsequently developed to operationalize these commitments. More recently, the Regional Rice Roadmap (2025–2035) was validated by stakeholders as the unified framework guiding investments and targeted interventions in the rice sector for the coming decade. 1.2 The ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO) Established in December 2021 jointly by the ECOWAS Commission and its development partners — including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AfDB, World Bank, GIZ, AfricaRice, AGRA, JICA/CARD, FCDO, and the Islamic Development Bank — the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO) is the specialized regional multi-stakeholder coordination platform for accelerating rice self-sufficiency in West Africa. Hosted at the ECOWAS Commission's Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development (DADR) in Abuja, ERO coordinates rice-sector programs, public and private investments, and policy recommendations for key decision-makers. Its governance structure comprises a Board, chaired by the ECOWAS Director of Agriculture and Rural Development; four Technical Committees; national chapters, progressively being established across all ECOWAS Member States; and a multi-actor General Assembly convened annually. ERO's mission is to facilitate collaboration, catalyze growth, and track progress, driving the region toward a competitive, sustainable, and resilient rice production sector that contributes to rural economic growth, poverty reduction, and equity for women. It was created to align political commitment, financial resources, and technical expertise toward a shared vision of strengthening coordination in the West African rice sector, in line with the ECOWAS Rice Agenda – Rice Offensive and the Rice Action Plan (2025–2035).

2. The Role The ERO Manager is the chief executive of the ERO Secretariat. This is a leadership role that requires an individual who can close investment deals, drive bold strategy into results, and serve as the principal face of the ERO platform before governments, the private sector, development partners, and regional institutions. What We Are Looking For • Deal-maker: Proven track record mobilizing capital and closing major investment partnerships across agriculture or agricultural infrastructure. • Business pragmatism: Ability to translate vision into action and attract private investment into seed multiplication, paddy production, and processing. • Skilled negotiator: Experienced at engaging senior government officials and navigating cross-border political and institutional dynamics. • Visionary leader: Capacity to inspire diverse stakeholders to rally around the shared agenda of rice self-sufficiency and regional food security. • Change agent: Credible, decisive, and focused on moving ERO from planning to execution. 3. Key Responsibilities The Manager will provide leadership and manage the day-to-day activities of ERO.. This position reports to the ERO Board, under the supervision of the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development. 3.1 Strategic and Operational Coordination • Manage daily Secretariat operations, ensuring seamless alignment between governance standards and project execution. • Provide support and coordinate activities of the ERO by organizing and preparing the virtual and physical ERO Board and technical committee meetings on a regular basis; • Work closely with the ECOWAS Rice Agenda Coordination mechanism to ensure effective implementation of the Regional Rice Road Map in alignment with national and regional agricultural and food security policies. • Work with the other ECOWAS rice projects, programs and initiatives to advise the ERO Board and provide input to ECOWAS Commission Rice Agenda on policies, investment prio