TechnoServe Country Manager, Zimbabwe
Reports to: Regional Director for West and Southern Africa
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
Travel: moderate domestic and international travel, as required
I. TechnoServe Background:
TechnoServe is an international, non-profit economic development organization founded in 1968 out of a conviction that a vibrant private sector is an essential foundation for economic growth and poverty reduction. TechnoServe undertakes targeted, catalytic technical assistance and other programming to increase the competitiveness of entrepreneurs, businesses and industries that in-turn provide sustainable employment, inclusion of the poor and increased incomes. TechnoServe operates in 25 developing countries with over 1000 employees. A substantial portion of our work is in agriculture, enhancing farm productivity and commodity quality and addressing gaps in processing and other agribusiness capacities. Our programs increase smallholder access to new technologies, aggregation and storage mechanisms, markets, critical information and finance. TechnoServe also undertakes structured programs to identify and support high potential entrepreneurs in various sectors through leadership mentoring networks, formalization support, access to capital and development of sustainable business services such as accounting, finance, marketing and human resource management.
Critical to Zimbabwe’s recovery from severe and prolonged economic crisis is the revitalization of the nation’s once successful agricultural economy. Central to this process is the restructuring of the nation’s agriculture and agro-processing sectors to be more inclusive of smallholder farmers and rural communities. Doing this will ensure that this critical mass of Zimbabweans can contribute to and benefit from these sectors. Developing innovative models to increase inclusion in the agricultural economy is, therefore, at the heart of TechnoServe/Zimbabwe’s mission.
Zimbabwe has entered into an exciting period of growth. Since the formation of the Unity Government in 2009, the Zimbabwean economy has been on the rebound. GDP grew by more than 5% in the year 2009 and 2011 and growth is projected to reach 8% in 2010, driven in part by an improving agriculture sector.
II. Program Description:
Launched in 2010, TechnoServe/Zimbabwe is currently engaged in a range of innovative initiatives, including mobile technology solutions for smallholder farmers and transformation of the poultry industry. Building on our recent successes, TechnoServe aims to grow the country program to become the premier entity in Zimbabwe for facilitating pro-poor business growth.
To achieve this goal, we are seeking a dynamic, innovative leader who can take the country program to the next level in order to achieve greater impact and build TechnoServe’s brand in Zimbabwe.
The primary purpose of this role is to lead all aspects of TechnoServe’s operations in Zimbabwe to achieve sustainable economic development in a cost-effective manner.
• Impact: Strategically select areas of work, partnerships and methodologies that most effectively contribute to poverty reduction, and assure excellence of implementation through quality management and evidence-based decision-making.
• Leadership: Develop, inspire and enable a team of Zimbabwe and international professionals to deliver high quality results; manage human resources, finance and back office functions to optimize cost-effectiveness
• Fundraising: Secure funding to sustain and grow TechnoServe’s contribution to the economic development of Zimbabwe.
III. Position Description:
The duties and responsibilities of this position fall into three broad categories: Leadership, Fundraising and Operations.
Leadership
• Regularly develop and adapt the country strategic vision and direction and execute it in keeping with TechnoServe’s overall strategic plan
• Identify and pursue innovative solutions to poverty reduction
• Establish and foster relationships with a broad network of donors, practitioners, government representatives and business leaders in the Zimbabwean economic development field, assimilating and contributing to new developments in the sector
• Recruit, orient and provide for the professional development of highly effective staff in all functions
• Motivate, inspire and enable a team of Zimbabwean and international professionals to deliver high quality results
Fundraising
• Identify opportunities where TechnoServe can play a role in catalyzing competitive, inclusive industries and entrepreneurship
• Undertake industry assessments, market research and other analytical exercises to identify opportunities for TechnoServe to achieve its mission
• Secure funding for the country program by developing concepts, leading sound project design and writing winning proposals
• Cultivate and maintain TechnoServe in-country partner and donor relationships, including:
- USAID and other US government agencieso Local government, bilateral and multilateral development/donor organizations
- Foundations and relevant local NGOs
- Private sector associations and corporations
Operations
• Oversee the design, planning and high quality, timely execution of TNS programs in the field
• Design and execute robust monitoring and evaluation of program outputs and outcomes
• Ensure cost-effective delivery of donor and client commitments, including reporting
• Oversee all TechnoServe Zimbabwe financial affairs, including budgets, adherence to effective internal financial controls and review of monthly financial reporting
• Act as legal representative of TechnoServe/Zimbabwe in all government, media and partner affairs
• Govern all TechnoServe related entities in Zimbabwe in accordance with Zimbabwean law
IV. Required Skills & Experience:
• Advanced degree in business, economics, agriculture or related field with 10-15 years solid professional experience with progressively higher levels of responsibility
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience leading a business unit or large-scale project with responsibility for all aspects of operations
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in developing countries, preferably in east or southern Africa
• Private sector experience in management consulting, agri-business and/or food processing, financial services or equivalent sector preferred; strong entrepreneurial skills required
• Good working knowledge of economic development, agricultural value chains and entrepreneurship promotion
• Demonstrated ability to form, motivate and lead a diverse team to achieve results
• Proven capacity to represent an organization among a diverse range of stakeholders and to fundraise effectively
• Clear evidence of operations management and administration skills
• Strong diplomatic skills to support effective work with government, implementing partners and donors
• Strong analytical, as well as oral and written communications skills
• Fluent reading, writing, speaking and computer literacy skills in English
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