Get a free C.V. review by sending your C.V. to submitcv@careerassociated.com or click the following link. Submit C.V.! use the subject heading REVIEW.

IMPORTANT: Read the application instructions keenly, Never pay for a job interview or application.

Click the Link Below to Get Targeted Job Updates

Sign Up For Targeted Job Updates Here

 

---

This is a two-year fixed-term co-terminus position fully financed with supplementary funds. Contract renewal depends on the fund availability and/or duration of the project. There is no guarantee of renewal or conversion into another kind of contract.

The African Agricultural Transformation Initiative (AATI) has been created by four founding partners, including the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, McKinsey & Company, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. AATI aims to foster inclusive and sustainable agricultural transformations across the African continent. 

Over five years (2021-2026), the AATI will seek to establish new (and strengthen existing) national agencies designed to support delivery of agricultural transformation policies and programmes, with the support of a central AATI unit to be housed at the IFAD offices in Nairobi, Kenya. In addition to the central unit, the AATI is expected to include a steering committee and an advisory board that will provide support and guidance. The central unit will be led by an Executive Director.

The AATI Deputy Executive Director will work under the direct supervision of the Executive Director to ensure the successful implementation of the AATI initiative. S/he works collaboratively with AATI partners and with staff in the national agencies supported by the AATI, as well as with relevant colleagues in IFAD country programmes where these agencies are located.

Job Role

The Deputy Executive Director (AATI) will support the Executive Director (AATI) on execution of the AATI by coordinating the execution of the programme of work of the AATI, notably by managing the delivery of high quality technical advisory and institutional support from the AATI central unit to the national agencies supported by the initiative, coordinating AATI communication and knowledge management activities, managing partnerships for AATI implementation, ensuring the effective functioning of the AATI governance structures, and managing reporting on AATI resources and results.

Key Functions and Results

Position Specifics:

A. Coordinating the execution of annual plans for support by the AATI central unit to national agencies in targeted countries

• Preparing annual AATI plans and coordinating their execution
• Providing high quality strategic guidance and technical advisory to the coordinators of national agencies supported by the AATI for their annual planning for agricultural transformation initiatives and in the execution of said plans 
• Coordinating information flows with, and support from the AATI central team to national agencies supported by the AATI, and regularly briefing the Executive Director about progress and challenges therein
• Proactively identifying challenges in the implementation of plans for institutional development and execution of agricultural transformation initiatives by national agencies supported by the AATI, and advising on their resolution
• Preparing regular updates on progress in the support to national agencies for reporting by the Executive Director to the Steering Committee
• Overseeing the implementation of exit strategies for AATI support to national agencies, to be developed under the leadership of the Executive Director

B. Coordinating AATI communication and knowledge management activities

• Developing AATI communication, knowledge management, and advocacy plans on an annual basis, and leading on their execution by overseeing the work of AATI central team staff assigned to this area of work
• Coordinating information flows among the national agencies supported by the AATI
• Leading planning and execution of a regular programme of learning activities on agricultural transformation and the AATI model of delivery on agricultural transformation, in collaboration with national entities supported by the AATI and with other leading actors in this domain
• Ensuring the quality of AATI knowledge and communication products

C. Managing partnerships for AATI implementation 

• Identify prospective partners for AATI implementation, including financial and knowledge partners, and advising the Executive Director on outreach and execution of new partnerships
• Ensuring that the AATI founding partners and new partners that may join the initiative have access to reliable and up to date information about the status of the initiative

D. Supporting the effective functioning of the AATI governance structures  

• Leading the production of regular reports on AATI implementation for the AATI steering committee and for AATI donors
• Overseeing the preparation of agendas and supporting material for meetings of the steering committee and advisory council meetings

E. Managing reporting on AATI resources and results

• Leading the preparation of the AATI results framework and on regular reporting against the framework
• Leading the preparation of annual budgets and supporting the Executive Director in their submission to the AATI steering committee
• Managing the AATI budget, under the guidance of the Executive Director

F. Any other duties as and when required by the Executive Director that are in line with this position and are aimed at achieving AATI’s objectives and goal.
 

Key Performance Indicators

Position specific: The Deputy Executive Director (AATI) will be evaluated on the following key performance indicators based on the major functional activities described above:

A. Coordinating the relationship between the AATI central unit and national agencies supported by the initiative

• Annual AATI plans are prepared in a timely manner for endorsement by the Executive Director and the steering committee
• The Executive Director and steering committee are regularly briefed about progress in the national agencies supported by the AATI
• National agencies supported by the AATI are regularly convened to share information and learning

B. Coordinating AATI communication and knowledge management activities

• 1 AATI communication, knowledge management, and advocacy plan is developed and executed annually

C. Managing partnerships for AATI implementation 

• At least one new partner for AATI implementation identified and engaged for each country supported by the AATI every year

D. Supporting the effective functioning of the AATI governance structures  

• Agendas and supporting materials prepared for at least 4 meetings of the AATI Steering Committee 

E. Managing reporting on AATI resources and results

• 1 annual AATI report produced per year

Working Relationships

The Deputy Executive Director (AATI) will report to the Executive Director (AATI), coordinate the work of the central team, work in close coordination with the national agencies supported by the initiative, and work collaboratively with AATI partners and with IFAD country team staff in countries where AATI is supporting national agencies. Subject to opportunity, s/he will also support the Executive Director in interacting with external donors and partners.

Knowledge sharing will involve:

i) discussions with clients and stakeholders at country, regional and global levels;
ii) regular dialogue and collaborative efforts among its donors (particularly the members of the AATI steering committee) and technical partners (particularly the members of the AATI advisory board);
and
iii) organization of focused client and service provider workshops/round tables on specific AATI-related issues.

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational Competencies:

Level 2:

• Building relationships and partnerships – Builds and maintains strategic partnerships internally and externally
• Communicating and negotiating – Acquires & uses a wide range of communication styles & skills
• Demonstrating leadership – Leads by example; initiates and supports change
• Focusing on clients – Contributes to a client-focused culture
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating – Challenges, innovates & contributes to learning culture
• Managing performance and developing staff – Manages wider teams with greater impact on others and on the organization
• Managing time, resources and information – Coordinates wider use of time, information and/or resources
• Problem-solving and decision-making – Solves complex problems and makes decisions that have wider corporate impact
• Strategic thinking and organizational development – Staff in management and/or strategic leadership roles
• Team working – Fosters a cohesive team environment

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent). Areas – political science, management, economics, international relations, law, international  development, rural development, agricultural economics or related fields. Degree must be an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.

Work experience:

•    At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of specialization, particularly in the formulation of technical guidance and input to development programmes;
•    Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
•    Position-specific experience: Strong ooperational and programme delivery experience in the international environment and familiarity with international financial institutions and financing mechanisms and procedures. Experience in international policy frameworks related to global issues, and experience in partnership building is an asset.

Position-specific experience:

•    Demonstrated programme management experience; 
•    Demonstrated experience in supporting policy reforms and institutional change (private or public sector), preferably in Africa and including institutional capacity building of governments to deliver policies promoting agricultural transformation;
•    Demonstrated experience in roles requiring collaboration with a diverse set of partners in a multi-stakeholder governance structure as well as ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy; 
•    Deep knowledge of issues related to agricultural transformation in sub-Saharan Africa.

Languages:

• English (4 – Excellent)
• French (3 – Good)

Skills:

•    Confidentiality and Discretion, Establishes self and division as trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by maintaining high level of discretion and confidentiality in assignments; demonstrates sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters; drives good governance and is a “Culture Carrier” demonstrating IFAD institutional conscience through; 4 
•    Resources Management, Know-how in the management of human, financial and material management of IFAD resources; 4 
•    Programme/Project development, management, Know-how in Programme/Project development, implementation, management ;4 
•    Stakeholder management, Strong alignment capabilities and consultation skills, building on effective interactions and relationships with different stakeholders (e.g. for the co-creation of communication material with member states) and ability to build and maintain a strong network (e.g. with journalists, media outlets, etc.) ;4 
•    IFAD partners, Knowledge of IFAD’s partners’ functioning and mandate , such as the public sector (e.g. governments and policy, institutions and system), non-state actors (NGOs, CSOs, Foundations, etc.) and private sector actors ; 4 
•    Collaboration, Successfully work toward a common goal with others by communicating clearly, actively listening to others, taking responsibility for mistakes, and respecting different perspectives of stakeholders; 4
•    Basic ICT & digital fluency,  High level of digital literacy and ability to quickly get familiar with new digital tools (e.g. ability to carry out EPR data entry and extraction when budgeting; monitoring security systems, uploading content to inter/intra-net websites, etc.); 4
•    Verbal communication,  Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language; 4
•    Data management, Data collection, cleaning, transformation and consolidation ; data-base architecture & development ; data presentation; 4
•    Business acumen, private sector knowledge, Outstanding ability to synthesize and simplify complex technical information for a variety of (non-technical) audiences; 4

Other Information

* This is a two-year fixed-term co-terminus position fully financed with supplementary funds. Contract renewal depends on the fund availability and/or duration of the project. There is no guarantee of renewal or conversion into another kind of contract.

IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD’s Human Resources Policy, the President can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

IFAD is committed to achieving gender diversity. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

.

.

Click Here to Apply