Programme Manager - DRYDEV , World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Programme Manager - DRYDEV

 

About our organization

 

The World Agroforestry Centre (also known as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry or ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

 

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

 

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

 

About the position:

 

To manage overall DRYDEV programme and coordinate project activities in Kenya and Ethiopia.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

1.         Oversee the overall management and operations of the DRYDEV Programme (60%)

 

Oversee the overall management and operations of the DRYDEV programme, as per the strategy outlined in its Inception Report and its corresponding Programme Implemented Plan (PIP). This will include:

• overseeing the management of the programme’s budget (in close collaboration with ICRAF finance staff);
• supervising the Sahel Programme Coordinator;
• ensuring synergy and effective operational coordination between the Sahel and East Africa regions and among all the five participating countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger);
• coordinating and planning for the effective involvement of relevant ICRAF scientific and technical staff that are involved in the programme to ensure that meaningful contributions are made to enhance programme effectiveness;
• leading the preparation of programmatic reports and annual plans and budgets for the donor and providing regular briefs and updates on programme progress to the Programme Advisory
• Committee, ICRAF’s Senior Leadership Team, and other relevant bodies;
• facilitating annual planning and budgeting processes for the overall programme; and
• preparing for engagement of audit reviews and quality assurance procedures.

2.    Coordinate programme activities in Kenya and Ethiopia (25%)

 

This will include:

• liaising, negotiating, and developing the capacity of country level partners in Kenya and Ethiopia;
• coordinating and facilitating effective regional and intra-country team functioning, including ensuring that the strengths of all the participating partners are fully exploited;
• monitoring programme progress and quality and supporting country teams to devise and undertake relevant corrective measures as needed;
• supporting country teams prepare annual detailed implementation plans and budgets;
• ensuring partners are fully briefed on their responsibilities, deliverables, work plans, budgets, partnerships and programme status;
• coordinating the execution of work plans and assist in the translation the philosophy and objectives of the programme into appropriate methods and approaches, in order to ensure quality and effective programme delivery;
• coordinating the work of ICRAF technical and administrative staff under the programme, including ensuring they are fully briefed on their responsibilities, deliverables, and work plans, as well as available budgetary resources;
• facilitating the East Africa Programme Coordination Committee meetings; (ix) supporting the identification of policy and institutional constraints and prioritization of key intervention areas;
• supporting partners to strengthen or build institutions and relationships for better targeting. interventions, and to enhance policy influence; and
• supporting the development of appropriate documentation (policy briefs, position papers, communication messages, position statement) for engaging in policy processes.

3.  Support the process of embedding the options-by-context (OxC) approach into the programme (5%)

 

Support the process of embedding the options-by-context (OxC) approach into the programme, including participating in multi-disciplinary teams as they engage with farmers in the identification and contextual tailoring of promising options and participatory action learning initiatives, as per the programme’s Inception Report.

 

4.         Support DRYDEV’s monitoring and impact functions (10%)

 

Support DRYDEV’s monitoring and impact functions, with a particular focus on Kenya and

Ethiopia, as per the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) strategy outlined in

DRYDEV’s Inception Report.

 Other Responsibilities

• Lead and facilitate research/scientific input to support options by context
• Identify and take action to mitigate potential risks within your work area

Required Academic and Professional qualification:

• A minimum of Master’s Degree in business, management, economics, agriculture, forestry or related field.
• (PhD will be an added advantage).

Required relevant working experience:

• At least 10 years of progressive experience managing international development projects, with substantive experience managing of multi-country projects.
• Experience in working in both a development and research organization an advantage.
• Proven experience in people management, strategic planning, risk management, project management software, and project management techniques and tools.
• Experience of working in similar fields in the Sahel or Horn of Africa.
• Track record of exemplary management of complex, multi-stakeholder projects and programs.
• Experience with participatory approaches, especially related to farmer innovation would be an advantage.

Skills and Competencies:

• Social science research and monitoring and evaluation experience a distinct advantage.
• Shares knowledge and experience; good communicator and facilitator.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complex situations.
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
• Willingness to travel frequently to support partners.
• Demonstrable evidence of the following: critical thinking and problem solving skills, planning and organizing, decision-making, communication skills, negotiation skills, teamwork, multicultural sensitivity and delegation.
• Very strong English speaking and writing skills, with fluency in French being a distinct advantage

Terms of offer:

 

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is remunerated on International terms. The appointment will be for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a nine (9) months’ probation period.

 

How to apply:

 

Go to http://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies.Applications will be considered until 20th November 2015. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.