Chabash Development and Health Initiative (CDHI)
Job Title: Business Development Officer
Organization: Chabash Development and Health Initiative (CDHI)
Location: Jakusko, Yobe State, Nigeria
Reports To: Project Manager
Supervises: Assistant and Project Support Staff/Facilitators
Employment Type: Full-Time Project Staff
Project: WFP-supported Integrated Food System and Resilience Project
Application Deadline: 15 September 2026
About CDHI
The Chabash Development and Health Initiative (CDHI) is a women-led national NGO registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC/IT/NO 85190) and operating across Northeast and Northwest Nigeria.
CDHI works to empower individuals and communities to live healthy and productive lives through integrated interventions in health, nutrition, protection, WASH and livelihoods. The organization partners with international organizations and government agencies to deliver sustainable, community-driven solutions that strengthen local systems and promote equity.
Job Summary
The Business Development Officer will lead the technical implementation of market-driven interventions, value-chain development, micro-enterprise growth and financial inclusion under the WFP-supported Integrated Food System and Resilience Project in Jakusko LGA, Yobe State.
The Officer will work to support smallholder farmers, women and youth to move from subsistence production towards commercially viable and sustainable businesses.
The role will involve building relationships with farmer cooperatives, agro-processing hubs, financial institutions, market actors, agro-dealers, off-takers and private-sector businesses to strengthen market access and economic resilience within target communities.
Key Responsibilities
1. Market Mapping & Value Chain Analysis
- Conduct market assessments and value-chain analyses.
- Assess commercial opportunities for key agricultural commodities.
- Conduct feasibility assessments for business and market opportunities.
- Identify market actors, buyers, suppliers and other relevant stakeholders.
2. Agro-Enterprise & Cooperative Development
- Support the establishment and registration of farmer cooperatives.
- Strengthen women-led agro-processing groups and youth businesses.
- Provide capacity-building support to community enterprises.
- Help groups develop sustainable business models.
3. Value Addition & Post-Harvest Business Support
- Develop business models for post-harvest hubs and processing units.
- Support commercialization of solar-powered cold storage facilities.
- Support grain storage and other post-harvest businesses.
- Identify opportunities to reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmer income.
4. Financial Inclusion & Savings Groups
- Support Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).
- Facilitate access to appropriate financial services.
- Support microfinance and other financial inclusion opportunities.
- Promote appropriate digital financial solutions for beneficiaries.
5. Market Access & Private-Sector Linkages
- Connect farmer groups with local markets and buyers.
- Establish linkages with off-takers, agro-dealers and private-sector actors.
- Support farmers to access fair and sustainable markets.
- Help reduce dependence on exploitative middlemen.
6. Business Skills Training
- Develop and deliver entrepreneurship training.
- Train beneficiaries on financial literacy and record keeping.
- Support training on pricing, marketing and business planning.
- Build beneficiaries’ understanding of business risks and opportunities.
7. Monitoring & Economic Progress
- Monitor the financial performance of supported groups.
- Track income levels, loan repayment and business sustainability.
- Collect and analyze relevant business and market data.
- Prepare regular analytical reports for project management.
Who Can Apply?
This position is suitable for experienced professionals with a background in agribusiness, business development, agricultural economics, marketing, development economics or related fields.
Candidates should have practical experience supporting rural businesses, farmer organizations, VSLAs, value chains, market systems or livelihood programmes.
Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Qualifications & Experience
Education
Applicants should possess:
- Bachelor’s degree or HND in Agribusiness, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Marketing, Development Economics or a related field.
Professional Experience
- 3–5 years of professional experience in enterprise development, value-chain promotion, microfinance or agribusiness interventions.
- Experience working within humanitarian or development programmes is highly desirable.
- Experience in Northeast Nigeria is an advantage.
Technical Expertise
Candidates should have demonstrated knowledge or experience in:
- Market Systems Development (MSD).
- VSLA management.
- Post-harvest commercialization.
- Smallholder farmer market linkages.
- Agribusiness and rural enterprise development.
- Business planning and financial analysis.
Community Engagement
- Experience training rural self-help groups.
- Experience working with women’s cooperatives.
- Experience supporting youth entrepreneurs.
- Ability to facilitate community-based business and financial training.
Language & Local Context
- Professional fluency in English.
- Strong fluency in Hausa.
- Good understanding of local markets, trading routes and business environments in Yobe State.
Core Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Strong understanding of agribusiness development and rural value chains.
- Knowledge of inclusive market systems.
- Strong negotiation and enterprise coaching skills.
- Ability to engage effectively with private-sector actors.
- Ability to develop and analyze business plans.
- Ability to understand income statements and market opportunities.
- Excellent facilitation and training skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication abilities.
- Good data collection, analysis and reporting skills.
- Ability to use relevant market monitoring and reporting tools.
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Strictly adhere to CDHI and WFP zero-tolerance policies on sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
- Ensure that market linkages, financial services and project benefits are provided without sexual coercion, corruption or favoritism.
- Promote safe business and financial activities that protect women and youth from exploitation.
- Support safe, accessible and confidential reporting mechanisms for beneficiaries and community members.
Compliance & Ethics
The successful candidate must:
- Follow humanitarian principles and Do-No-Harm practices.
- Apply WFP Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) principles.
- Maintain transparency, fairness and impartiality in group selection and project support.
- Follow anti-corruption standards.
- Respect local customs, market dynamics and traditional leadership structures.
- Comply with CDHI policies on Conflict of Interest, Code of Conduct, Anti-Fraud and Child Safeguarding.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application form:
Apply for Business Development Officer – CDHI
Application Closing Date: 15 September 2026
Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Important: The link you just provided is the same application link included with the Agronomy Assistant vacancy. If CDHI intends applicants for the Business Development Officer to use the same form, the above is correct.
