Agribusiness Project Director Association of African Business Schools (AABS)

Agribusiness Project Director The Association of African Business Schools (AABS), established in October 2005, is an organization comprised of 27 member schools, dedicated to strengthening management, business and leadership education in Africa. AABS seeks to work with a core group of African business schools to address critical knowledge and skills gaps in business, management and leadership core competencies among Agricultural Development stakeholders and across the Agribusiness value chain. The Role An exciting career opportunity is open for the position of a Project Director on a 50% basis for the AABS Agribusiness project. The Agribusiness Project will lead to the development and delivery of Agribusiness management training programmes for the African context. The successful candidate will be the champion of this project, serving as a liaison between the Gates Foundation, local and international partners and member schools of the consortium and ensuring the overall project objectives are met. Responsibilities · Plan strategy and approach for achieving project objectives and ensuring sustainability of the project beyond the grant period. · Lead brand building efforts in the Agribusiness sector through the building of appropriate networks and relevant stakeholder engagement · Establish project milestones and ensure project milestones are completed on-time with appropriate quality and adherence to standards · Drive effective project planning and oversee monitoring and evaluation activities · Identify project risks and implement mitigation approaches · Discuss and resolve project issues · Manage donor relationships including grant reporting, expectations and budget oversight. · Provide updates and reports to the Project Advisory Board and AABS Board Experience and Qualifications · Minimum of a Postgraduate Degree in Business, Agribusiness, Management or a related field with 10 years of relevant experience. Professional qualifications in the field of International Development will be an added advantage. · A minimum of 5 years’ experience in working in and exposure to Sub-Saharan Africa. Work experience in East/Western Africa will be an added advantage. · Ability to build sustainable relationships and to leverage relationships to secure and develop opportunities. · Ability to communicate effectively and proven influencing, networking and social skills. · Experience in developing grant/fundraising proposals. · Experience in working with leading international donor and development organisations. · Experience in managing consortium initiatives and/or working with academic institutions. Interested applicants should submit their curriculum vitae and copies of qualifications by 1st August 2012 to dinah@aabschools.com. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.