IITA Chief Officer for Management of Humidtropics

Chief Officer for Management of Humidtropics (Ref: DDG-R4D/COMH/CRP.1.2/10/12)

 Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Chief Officer for Management of Humidtropics.

 

IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

 

Humidtropics is the IITA-led CGIAR Research Program on Integrated Systems in the Humid Tropics (CRP1.2). This exciting new global research for development (R4D) program targets systems that affect up to 1.5 billion rural people, most of whom operate within smallholder farming systems in which livestock and production are intimately linked. The program focuses on increasing the available options and strengthening the capacity of poor and vulnerable people to improve their livelihoods and living environment. The strategy is based on promising innovations and technologies for agricultural systems in the humid tropics that will result in vibrant communities, economic success, educated people, and environments that encourage health and well-being.

 

We are looking for a suitably qualified and enthusiastic person to fill the challenging position of Chief Officer for Management of Humidtropics The Chief Officer will be responsible for the positioning of Humidtropics as a leading R4D program, supporting the management of the diverse R4D operational teams spread in action areas across tropical Asia, Americas and Africa, and supporting the communication between important stakeholders such as beneficiaries, advisory committee, management committee, investors and R4D partners. The Chief Officer will work directly under the management of the Director of Humidtropics and collaborate with the R4D management of IITA (the Lead Center) and the other CGIAR Research Programs.

 

Position/Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Chief Officer will include:

·         Support the Humidtropics Director in strategic management of the Humidtropics internal and external organizational relations with key stakeholders such as staff, partners and investors.

·         Support the Humidtropics Director in leading the program planning.

·         Lead the monitoring and evaluation activities.

·         Support the Director in ensuring timeliness and quality of program deliverables and that contractual obligations such as financial and technical reporting are met.

·         Support the Director in preparing and managing contracts with the CGIAR Consortium Board as well as between the Lead Center (IITA) and the Humidtropics partners.

·         Improve and support Humidtropics-wide communication capacity and knowledge management capacity.

·         Support the Director in leading the management of Humidtropics internal and external capacity building efforts.

·         Represent Humidtropics as needed.

 

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have Master degree or PhD in a relevant field.

                  

Core Competencies:

·         At least 8 years of experience in a relevant management area with increasing responsibilities.

·         Extensive experience in strategic communication with a demonstrated track record of success.

·         Experience with planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects, including participatory methods.

·         Significant experience with and knowledge of agricultural research and/or development work in the humid tropics.

·         Excellent leadership skills and sensitivity to cross cultural issues and ability to work with multicultural and multi-disciplinary teams.

·         Demonstrated strategic thinking, planning and management skills.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills in English language are required with proficiency in other international languages (French and/or Spanish) viewed as a strong asset.

·         Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and gender awareness.

·         Commitment to gender equity and diversity.

·         Willingness to travel.

 

Duty Station: Humidtropics Executive Office at IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria.

 

General information: Initial appointment is for three years. IITA offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars.

 

Applications: Applications including curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/irs-online-application

 

Closing Date: 31^st October 2012

 

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.