Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa AGRA Careers

Job Reference: PID/TD/04/2023

The Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President Program Innovation and Delivery, the ideal candidate will be in-charge of overseeing the day-to-day activities and all CESSA operations. This includes ensuring that the set vision and long-term goals of CESSA as well as the implementation and monitoring the strategy is on track. The Director will be in-charge of all the staff in the 3 CESSA Units, Analysis and Knowledge Resource, Capacity Building and Technical Support and Catalytic Grants and Advisory Services. One of the cardinal objectives of CESSA is to serve as a go to hub for all seed related work and it is the responsibility of the Director to ensure that this is achieved. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the process of delivering CESSA offerings across all the 8-thematic areas.
• Responsible for financial planning, partnerships with key seed sector players, both public and private and the face of CESSA in various local, regional, or international fora.
• Work across Divisions to support new business development, knowledge management and in some instances, project delivery.
• Support AGRA management to mobilize resources to implement CESSA initiatives and AGRA work in general.
• Lead on the donor stewardship (Customer Relationship Management databased), support the facilitation of negotiations and signing of new funding agreements, while assisting in the implementation of AGRA’s Public-Private Partnership resource mobilization strategy.
• Ensure CESSA digital platform is regularly updated, and stakeholders can get information and knowledge tools as expected.
• Ensure that the grant funds, when awarded, are appropriately used for the intended purpose.
• Work with finance to generate reporting required for compliance and financial statement audits.
• Integrate tools to monitor grants for legal, financial, and program compliance including but not limited to ensuring that grant requirements are correctly documented in the grant files and database.
• Maintain regular communication with other AGRA/CESSA professionals to enhance CESSA relevance.
• Lead periodic Program Team staff meetings, including provision of work-related updates to ensure smooth running of program activities.
• Delivers together with and Team the preparation of donor reports, board reports, AGRA annual and quarterly reports.
• Influence partners to value, work with and support CESSA develop and strengthen seed systems in Africa.
• Influence grantees in employing best practices in executing the activities under the grants awarded for meeting the CESSA objectives.
• Align grantee achievements against targets and collaborate with relevant TALs and grantee to identify any consistencies for the grants.
• Champion integration of CESSA with other AGRA bodies of work and various AGRA funded projects.
• Motivate the team for solving problems around complex grant scenarios through consultations/liaison with finance and legal entities.
• Direct seamless delivery of CESSA offering to the intended beneficiaries.
• Lead annual planning process and development of CESSA budgets, workplans to ensure they are aligned with AGRA’s strategy.
• Assess, monitor, and document the grantmaking workflow processes, templates, reports and data to assure full compliance with internal controls and legal requirements.

Relevant Experience & Professional Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience of international development with demonstrable track record of working with donors.
• PhD or master’s degree in Agricultural sciences, Business Administration, Economics, or any other relevant field.
• Professional qualifications in relevant field(s), that enhances proficiency in analytical research, communication, leadership, and strategic planning or execution.
• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in international development leading strategic planning, corporate bottom-line performance management, and resource allocation and accountability decision-making. 
• At least 7 years of experience in a senior leadership role.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills and the ability to formulate recommendations and improve team dynamics.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including tact, patience, and acumen and the ability to work with many, diverse individuals, and groups across various functions.
• Skill in management and leadership with the ability to direct programs, staff, and cross-functional teams in an efficient and effective manner.
• The ability to maintain effective and harmonious relations with the organization’s stakeholders.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure, handle multiple priorities, tasks, demands and time- sensitive pressurized situations.

Job Reference: PID/TD/05/2023

The Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, Center of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA), the Team Leader, Capacity Building and Technical Support will be responsible for CESSA’s delivery of capacity building technical support activities, provide technical support, including sourcing, contracting, scoping and oversight of the Unit and manage key stakeholder relationships and development of delivery programs and services, and capacity building activities across various initiatives in CESSA.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a capacity building plan and curricula based on the analysis of the needs assessment and discussions with various partners with the support of the Training Coordinator and Digital Learning Management Specialist.
• Responsible for capacity building initiatives including convenings and exchange visits for partners and stakeholders including trainees.
• Ensure quality training is offered according to the identified needs. Training could be offered by teams within or outside CESSA.
• Responsible for ensuring that program activities are properly resourced for, and supplies are requested on time an according the systems and protocols.
• Direct and manage the implementation of high-quality program activities in line with grant agreements and with technical requirements.
• Integrate various Capacity Building frameworks covering all sections of the seed systems for targeted countries as per the training needs assessment from national SeedSAT assessments.
• Organize and provide an on-going support to the team by creating Capacity Building and Training Assessment opportunities.
• Monitor progress of activities against planned achievements, outcomes, and impact; evaluate the continued relevance and appropriateness of the intervention.
• Ensure that the progress reports and relevant donor reports are timely, of high quality and serve to inform management decisions.
• Influence through leadership by establishing certain moderators that integrate and shape the program into a solid team working towards a high performing organization. 
• Identify mentoring models that could be used to build capacity, consult with putative mentee stakeholders to understand their capacity building needs.
• Build seed systems capacity building networks in the continent and beyond for refining and keeping up to date the capacity building programs in CESSA. 
• Conceptualize viable ideas in developing new capacity building and training models to improve on the deliverables in the program.
• Design relevant capacity building programs in liaison with several experts within AGRA and form other relevant institutions to meet the capacity building objective of CESSA.
• Assess the existing training programs in AGRA and in other likeminded institutions to form a basis of the training programs in CESSA.
• Create an enabling environment for the teams under supervision to effectively deliver on objectives.

Relevant Experience & Professional Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Agricultural sciences, rural development, education, business or economics or relevant field.
• A PhD in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of experience spanning operational strategic managerial and leadership.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills and the ability to formulate recommendations and improve team dynamics

Job Reference: PID/TD/06/2023

The Position Summary

Reporting to the Director, Center of Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA), the Team Leader, Catalytic Grants and AGRA Advisory Services will be responsible for CESSA’s responsible for the CESSA’s delivery of catalytic investments in the program. Advisory Services role will entail delivering supportive technical AGRA advisory services based on SeedSAT recommendations as prioritized across the seed systems eight thematic areas but also according to needs arising to strengthen and improve the seed system.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver on CESSA offerings in the technical areas around catalytic grants, Business Development Services, digital tools, meetings and convenings, provision of knowledge products, thematic areas, and Business Development Services
• Oversee the process for writing grant proposals in collaboration with thematic area Leads that outlines how CESSA would utilize the funding. 
• Maintain working knowledge of CESSA programs and priority funding areas and remain abreast of current research, activities, and trends in the philanthropic sector. 
• Ensure that the grant funds, when awarded, are appropriately used for the intended purpose.
• Maintain regular communication with other AGRA/CESSA professionals to determine the development partners to lobby for funding.
• Work with finance to generate reporting required for compliance and financial statement audits.
• Integrate several tools to monitor grants for legal, financial, and program compliance including but not limited to ensuring that grant requirements are correctly documented in the grant files and database.
• Organize periodic Program Team staff meetings, including provision of work-related updates to ensure smooth running of program activities.
• Coordinates review and approvals for grantees proposals, no-cost extensions and modifications and submissions to Grants Unit for approval.
• Delivers together with the Director and Team the preparation of donor reports, board reports, AGRA annual and quarterly reports.
• Advise all partners in developing SOPs for better delivery of AGRA advisory services under CESSA.
• Align grantee achievements against targets and collaborate with relevant TALs and grantee to identify any consistencies.
• Influence the grantees in employing best practices in executing the activities under the grants awarded for meeting the CESSA objectives for the grants.
• Mentor youth in disseminating important information towards improving agricultural activities, Work with the capacity and Training team to determine how to conduct the trainings virtually or face to face with an well-developed   train the-trainer model.
• Motivate your team for solving problems around complex grant scenarios through consultations/liaison with finance and legal entities.
• Manage implementation of a new grants management system and other technology improvements, including development plans and timelines, staff communication, testing and troubleshooting, documentation, training, and release cycles.
• Conceptualize ideas towards innovation towards Improvement of managing catalytic grants and offering a wide range of advisory services.
• • Design and maintain filing systems for the Foundation’s paper and electronic records.
• Design a research uptake plan for all advisory services rendered to stakeholders to influence on policy for practice improvement.
• Assess, monitor, and document the grantmaking workflow processes, forms, templates, reports and data to assure full compliance with internal controls and legal requirements.

Relevant Experience & Professional Qualifications

• At least PhD or Master’s degree in agriculture, agricultural economics or relevant field
• Specialty in seed systems or technology will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 to 15 years of experience spanning operational strategic managerial and leadership.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills and the ability to formulate recommendations and improve team dynamics.

Job Reference: ATO/HRA/01/2023

The Position Summary

Reporting to the Protocol and Travel Officer, the Associate Travel Officer will be responsible for coordinating Travel Management at AGRA. He / She will ensure efficient travel through coordination of outsourced travel implants, enforce the AGRA policies that touch on travel and will assist staff with end-to-end travel services. He/She will be responsible for office event planning working closely with the relevant stakeholders. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Travel:

• Supervise authorized AGRA travel implants, to co-ordinate in-house travel in line with AGRA’s Travel Policy and Safety & Security Policy
• Process travel authorizations, confirms travel budgets and provides relevant guidance for travel approvals. 
• Manage staff and visitors’ hotel and transfer bookings.
• Work with travel implants to provide guidance on travel insurance.
• Alongside line manager, negotiate for travel service discounts and service level agreements with travel vendors.
• Ensure staff have valid travel insurance as per travel policy.
• PerDiem management in accordance with AGRA donor rules and regulations.
• Prepare travel Purchase Orders on the oracle travel system for verification and signatures.
• Travel invoice management ensuring weekly receipt and recording into the financial system.
• Reconcile all Travel Authorizations (TAs), Travel Expense Claims (TECs) for compliance
• Review travel claims and supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy, get authorization from relevant supervisors and forward to Finance for payment.
• Follow up outstanding Travel Expenses Claims s as per policy and submit to Finance for processing.
• Manage travel planning on Oracle.
• Follow for delivery of travel SLA with approved Travel suppliers and ensuring monthly travel reconciliation meetings are held with relevant vendors.
• Provide monthly travel reporting.
• Travel services troubleshooting for effective and efficient service delivery.

General Administration: 

• Ensure proper filing both electronically & manually.
• Work with Human resource & Administration team to ensure corporate events are well organized. 
• Guide staff on travel administrative procedures to ensure document completeness. 

Travel Security: 

• Responsible for maintaining an up-to-date database tracking the travel movement of staff as an essential communication tool for the coordination of the team and safety.
• Coordinate field mission plans for all travelers.
• Initiate and manage the online safety travel tool.

Training

• Coordinate travel induction training for new staff.
• Increase awareness about different stakeholders’ responsibilities around travel at AGRA by providing regular trainings and publishing regular reports, sharing statistics, and providing timely and quality information in line with industry standards.
• Conducts 1:1 travel refresher training for staff as required.

Events Coordination:

• Coordinate ticketing and accommodation requests for the AGRA food summit.
• Work with AGRA Food Summit team to ensure all AGRF logistical request comply with AGRA Travel policy and Procedures.
• Manage AGRA VIPs during the forum ensuring all their travel requests timely met.
• Work with relevant units to plan for group events e.g., conferences & symposiums.
• Conducts 1:1 travel refresher training for staff as required.

Relevant Experience & Professional Qualifications

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in administration, finance or social sciences or related qualification
• At least 5 years’ working experience in a busy travel desk.
• Three years’ experience in an international NGO.
• Experience with supervising and managing travel staff.
• Travel training with relevant certification.
• Computer proficiency and familiarity with a range of software applications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Oracle Travel module.
• Knowledge of USAID Travel Rates and their application.
• Experience with travel security planning and tracking.

Method of Application

If you believe you are the right candidate for this position, kindly submit your application with a detailed CV (including your e-mail address and telephone contacts to [email protected] noting to quote the job reference number in the subject of your email) To be considered, applications must be received on or before 31st March 2023 

Job Reference: ADCO/PR/01/2023

The Position Summary

Reporting to the Head of Development Cooperation, the Associate Development Cooperation Officer will collaborate and partner in Development Cooperation team, providing expertise and insights for specific agriculture and food systems development topics . S/he will drive and develop fundraising content, supporting business development, building sector expertise, and helping the Development Cooperation team ramp up its resource mobilization efforts by sharing sector-specific donor intelligence.

S/he will work across Divisions to support new business development, knowledge management and in some instances, project delivery. S/he will play an active role in supporting the implementation of the Institutional resource mobilization strategy. S/he will also lead on the donor stewardship (Customer Relationship Management databased) support the facilitation of negotiations and signing of new funding agreements, while assisting in the implementation of AGRA’s Public-Private Partnership resource mobilization strategy.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Business Development/Analysis/Communication:

• Delivering original analysis and customized insights for strategic positioning, business development by leveraging specific experience or knowledge assets (products, tools, data, workshops, frameworks, surveys, and related expertise, etc.)
• Supporting Development Cooperation (DC) team through contributing donor research, trend and analysis, Intelligence gathering as outlined by the Head of Development Cooperation. This will include both independent working and work under the guidance of the Head of Development Cooperation who frames the interventions within the broader project context, desk research on donor commitments and trends in AGRA priority countries and continentally.
• Liaising closely with the DC team to support on bid processes including pre-positioning, partner engagement, research, RFA/Is and tender responses.
• Share insights and experiences from proposal development (from after action reviews) into the specific knowledge asset and/or adapting existing DC materials.
• Communication collateral development: helping develop the assets and tools which will help AGRA secure funding (e.g. project references, expressions of interest, proposals, updated capacity statements organization and sectoral etc)

Donor Stewardship/Customer Relationship Management:

• Lead in updating monthly funding pipeline tracker, portfolio dashboards (budget monitoring, donor reporting performance), updating the corporate risk register.
• Lead in producing monthly reporting deliverables for donor awards.
• Lead in producing DC monthly funding bulletin.
• Lead in training of existing and new staff on CRM utilization.
• Lead in updating the CRM database with donor contacts, awards etc. 

Team Support (Due Diligence, Internal Reports, Meeting and Briefing Docs, )

• Support in the preparation of meetings; presentations, talking points, briefing documents in support of RM.
• Lead in RM webinar content and facilitation .
• Lead in go-no-go, due diligence for new RM opportunities and donor partners.
• Support provided in driving pledge conversion rate and sufficient, predictable, and sustainable donor support for AGRA.
• Financial leverage captured in priority countries in the CRM.
• Accuracy and efficiency of reports.
• Supports the DC team to disseminate the Resource Mobilization guide to regional and country offices and main point person for compliance on the guide.
• Support the process of internal audits for DC unit as directed by Head of Development  cooperation. 
• Coordinates inter-divisional team meetings to discuss RM pipeline, opportunities, and areas for DC support
• DC Focal point for Oracle and Fusion (procurement, CRM ).

Relevant Experience & Professional Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience of international development with demonstrable track record of working with donors.
• Master’s degree in International Development, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Public Finance, Public Administration, Rural Development, Social Sciences, or any other relevant field.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Social science, International Studies or other relevant field.
• Fluency in English; Knowledge of French will be an advantage.
• Proficiency in using applications software, including presentation, spreadsheet, word processing, and project management tools.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively and with polish to individuals and groups of people.
• Optimistic and persuasive that African farmers and consumers will benefit from improved, well-adapted agricultural technologies and reforms across the input and output value chains.
• Ability to translate program-based concepts into practical realities.
• Experienced donor development and resource mobilization expert with a superior track record of success serving international development organizations.
• Success in resource mobilization for large multilateral or bilateral agencies or international organizations.
• Knowledge and experience working with donors as well as supporting the building of strategic donor relations .
• Sound understanding of the donor financing landscape and processes.
• Knowledge and experience working on performance-based targets for fundraising.
• Writing for a range of different audiences to produce high quality and concise materials including internal content, sector insights, marketing and selling materials, proposals and reports for development sector clients.
• Able to work both collaboratively and effectively in a group dynamic of local and remote teams around the world, and of working independently to develop content that can contribute to wider business priorities.
• Analysis and problem solving, with a high capacity for conceptual and strategic/end-to-end thinking.

Job Reference: CALA/PSC/01/2023

The Position Summary

The Program Officer – Coordinator for the Leadership Initiative will act as a day-to-day technical lead responsible for implementation of the Leadership Initiative. He/ She will be responsible for sharing AGRA’s knowledge, experience and networks, and will work directly with the partners on the design and implementation of the leadership journey including the coaching component, curriculum development, the leadership forums, learning trips and digital learning.

S/He will serve as a technical officer responsible for coordination of partners to effectively implement program activities and ensure delivery.  The Program Officer will also be expected to work closely with the implementing partners for this initiative as well as the beneficiary countries. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop progress and results tracking matrix for the Leadership Initiative related interventions.
• Coordinate collaborative activities between AGRA, the African Management Institute (AMI), the Policy LINK and other partners in organizing leadership capacity building activities.
• Work directly with the partners on the design and implementation of the leadership journey including the coaching component, curriculum development, the leadership forums & learning trips and digital learning.
• Contribute to state capability related proposals, particularly the ones related to enhancement of leadership capacity within the agriculture sector. 
• Enhance state capability contribution to the delivery of other bodies of work.
• Produce knowledge products and thought pieces related to leadership capacity building and its implication to agriculture transformation in Africa.  
• Track and report outcomes of the leadership support to countries.
• Develop and coordinate implementation of the annual work plan for the Leadership Initiative.
• Following up and monitoring the implementation of the Leadership Initiative and produce progress reports for reporting within AGRA, the BMZ as well as to the stakeholders.
• Taking lead in developing Leadership Initiative related proposals with support from respective country teams especially the country manager and task leader on government support interventions.
• Providing support in developing training materials and guidelines related to the Leadership Initiative.
• Organizing Leadership Initiative related workshops and trainings.
• Providing capacity building to country teams and AGRA staff on AGRA’s government support approach and support to the enhancement of leadership capacity. 
• Documenting good practices on Leadership Capacity Building for the agriculture sector deriving from AGRA’s investment.
• Analysing AGRA’s contribution in building State Capability/country and enhancing leadership capacity in the target countries. 
• Lead the provision and management of State Capability grants to national governments, regional and international technical assistance providers to deliver on State Capability initiative. 
• Contribute to partnership development with national, regional and continental partners [i.e., governments, private sector, multilateral and bilateral partners, civil society] operating in the state capability space.
• Produce program implementation progress reports (Financial and activities report) as required by the program funders.
• Design coordination reports and briefings. 
• Review and provide quality assurance on partners’ deliverables.

Key Qualifications & Experience 

• At least Master’s degree in any one of these fields: Agronomy, Sociology, Agriculture and Livestock Sciences, Agricultural Economics, International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Rural Development, OR any other relevant field.
• At least 5 years of professional experience linked to the provision of high-level policy advice/ technical support in agriculture and rural development.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing agricultural policies, agricultural sector plans, and frameworks.
• Experience in working with multi-stakeholder platforms and processes, or other complex collaboration and partner management platforms across sectors, including agriculture.
• Experience in coordination and partnership management.
• Experience in building capacity of government and private sector.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working with a wide range of individuals in government, private sector and civil society. 
• Proficient in program management, program design and M&E. 
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English. 
• Ability to create organizational work plans based on higher-level goals.
• Deep understanding of the Africa agricultural sector and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, analytical and writing skills. 
• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization.

Role Summary

The Senior Partnerships Officer for Food Systems will play a leading role in this AGRA Food Systems work leveraging partnerships and constituency engagement for priority objectives. S/he will engage with the finance community, private sector partners, producers, and other priority constituency groups to deepen partnerships and come through with accelerated action on commitments during the Food Systems Summit or new commitments made during follow-ups. 

S/he will particularly shape strategies and engagement approach for AGRA to leverage multi-stakeholder partnership platforms to channel knowledge, action, and resources to priority opportunities, needs, and gaps of African countries in relation to Food Systems. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Leverage multi-stakeholder partnership platforms to channel knowledge, action, and resources to priority opportunities, needs, and gaps of African countries.
• Building around and on top of the Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AFSF) as the premier continental platform for food systems and agricultural transformation, strengthen AGRA’s engagement with partners across private sector, civil society, producer organizations, youth organizations, research institutions, and beyond by focusing their attention on priorities at country level. 
• Deepen strategic partnerships with at least 5 top peer institutions carrying forward food systems action. 
• Track and ensure follow-through of action plans and priorities for the next two years. In partnership with other AGRA units, this could include partner institutions such as the AUC/AUDA, the UN and its Rome-based Agencies (FAO, IFAD, and WFP), the World Bank, and the CGIAR
• Plug into multi-stakeholder food systems platforms on AGRA’s behalf to exchange knowledge and serve as a conduit to inform AGRA programs and share what AGRA programs are doing to advance shared country-led priorities. 
• Devise strategies and engagement approaches with the Unit lead to best plug AGRA into multi-stakeholder partnerships and leverage them for impact on shared priorities in delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Africa Agenda 2063. 
• Engage at the minimum with (i) the AFSFand nutrition thematic platform, (ii) the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, (iii) the Food Action Alliance, (iv) the Food Forward Consortium, (v) the Food and Land Use (FOLU) Coalition, (vi) the One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Program, (vii) the Committee on World Food Security, (viii) the Just Rural Transition, (ix) the Friends of Food, (x) the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and (xi) the Good Food Finance Network.
• Devise and advance cross-cutting opportunities to support an African-focused food systems champion network. In partnership with other African and global organizations working on follow up to the UN Food Systems Summit, seek to build on the experience of the Summit Champions Network and bring to bear the leadership of actors all across the continent and all parts of food systems.
• Work to unlock private sector investments aligned with investment plans and flagship initiatives.
• In collaboration with AGRA’s Partnerships Unit and external partnership network, the SPO-FS will identify key investment opportunities to unlock and engage in discussions with governments and partners to bring them to fruition. 
• Cultivate new opportunities and work to share lessons and insights through the AFSF deal room and other knowledge-exchange opportunities critical for bringing public and private sector financing for food systems interventions at national, regional and continental level.
• Contribute to shaping and advancing AGRA’s food systems narrative position and priorities through the course of priority regional and global events. This includes the development and executive of engagements linked to major milestone moments, such as COP27 in Egypt, COP28 in UAE, the UN High Level Political Forums (HLPF), the CFS, and several other moments that can help advance the food systems agenda over the next two years.
• Advance AGRA’s thought leadership by showcasing models and lessons from work on food systems. In collaboration with other AGRA units, capture what AGRA is learning and delivering through each of these workstreams and document it for wider thought leadership. 

Academic, Professional Qualifications and Relevant experience:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Strong private sector experience in either agribusiness, finance or related sector at the global level to leverage on regional and global partnerships.
• 15 years’ post qualification experience, with proven experience in managing partnership networks with many constituencies.
• At least 5 years of senior-level experience in program management.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of French and/or other official UN languages will be an advantage.
• Has experience in working on joined projects with governments, researchers, development partners in Africa and/or other regions of the world. 
• Deep understanding of the Food Systems Agenda.
• Deep understanding of African Agribusiness trends, activities, investment related policies.
• Familiarity with agricultural development programs. Familiarity with other programs in climate, environment, nutrition, and other sectors will be an added advantage for building partnerships across food systems communities. 
• Highly organized, results and detail orientated with a very hands-on approach.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Excellent organizational, and problem solving/decision making ability.

Role Summary

The Senior Partnerships Officer for Food Systems will play a leading role in this AGRA Food Systems work leveraging partnerships and constituency engagement for priority objectives. S/he will engage with the finance community, private sector partners, producers, and other priority constituency groups to deepen partnerships and come through with accelerated action on commitments during the Food Systems Summit or new commitments made during follow-ups. 

S/he will particularly shape strategies and engagement approach for AGRA to leverage multi-stakeholder partnership platforms to channel knowledge, action, and resources to priority opportunities, needs, and gaps of African countries in relation to Food Systems. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Leverage multi-stakeholder partnership platforms to channel knowledge, action, and resources to priority opportunities, needs, and gaps of African countries.
• Building around and on top of the Africa’s Food Systems Forum (AFSF) as the premier continental platform for food systems and agricultural transformation, strengthen AGRA’s engagement with partners across private sector, civil society, producer organizations, youth organizations, research institutions, and beyond by focusing their attention on priorities at country level. 
• Deepen strategic partnerships with at least 5 top peer institutions carrying forward food systems action. 
• Track and ensure follow-through of action plans and priorities for the next two years. In partnership with other AGRA units, this could include partner institutions such as the AUC/AUDA, the UN and its Rome-based Agencies (FAO, IFAD, and WFP), the World Bank, and the CGIAR
• Plug into multi-stakeholder food systems platforms on AGRA’s behalf to exchange knowledge and serve as a conduit to inform AGRA programs and share what AGRA programs are doing to advance shared country-led priorities. 
• Devise strategies and engagement approaches with the Unit lead to best plug AGRA into multi-stakeholder partnerships and leverage them for impact on shared priorities in delivering on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Africa Agenda 2063. 
• Engage at the minimum with (i) the AFSFand nutrition thematic platform, (ii) the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub, (iii) the Food Action Alliance, (iv) the Food Forward Consortium, (v) the Food and Land Use (FOLU) Coalition, (vi) the One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Program, (vii) the Committee on World Food Security, (viii) the Just Rural Transition, (ix) the Friends of Food, (x) the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and (xi) the Good Food Finance Network.
• Devise and advance cross-cutting opportunities to support an African-focused food systems champion network. In partnership with other African and global organizations working on follow up to the UN Food Systems Summit, seek to build on the experience of the Summit Champions Network and bring to bear the leadership of actors all across the continent and all parts of food systems.
• Work to unlock private sector investments aligned with investment plans and flagship initiatives.
• In collaboration with AGRA’s Partnerships Unit and external partnership network, the SPO-FS will identify key investment opportunities to unlock and engage in discussions with governments and partners to bring them to fruition. 
• Cultivate new opportunities and work to share lessons and insights through the AFSF deal room and other knowledge-exchange opportunities critical for bringing public and private sector financing for food systems interventions at national, regional and continental level.
• Contribute to shaping and advancing AGRA’s food systems narrative position and priorities through the course of priority regional and global events. This includes the development and executive of engagements linked to major milestone moments, such as COP27 in Egypt, COP28 in UAE, the UN High Level Political Forums (HLPF), the CFS, and several other moments that can help advance the food systems agenda over the next two years.
• Advance AGRA’s thought leadership by showcasing models and lessons from work on food systems. In collaboration with other AGRA units, capture what AGRA is learning and delivering through each of these workstreams and document it for wider thought leadership. 

Academic, Professional Qualifications and Relevant experience:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Strong private sector experience in either agribusiness, finance or related sector at the global level to leverage on regional and global partnerships.
• 15 years’ post qualification experience, with proven experience in managing partnership networks with many constituencies.
• At least 5 years of senior-level experience in program management.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of French and/or other official UN languages will be an advantage.
• Has experience in working on joined projects with governments, researchers, development partners in Africa and/or other regions of the world. 
• Deep understanding of the Food Systems Agenda.
• Deep understanding of African Agribusiness trends, activities, investment related policies.
• Familiarity with agricultural development programs. Familiarity with other programs in climate, environment, nutrition, and other sectors will be an added advantage for building partnerships across food systems communities. 
• Highly organized, results and detail orientated with a very hands-on approach.
• Strong relationship management skills.
• Excellent organizational, and problem solving/decision making ability.

Method of Application

If you believe you are the right candidate for this position, kindly submit your application with a detailed CV (including your e-mail address and telephone contacts to [email protected] noting to quote the job reference number in the subject of your email)

To be considered, applications must be received on or before 28th October 2022

Job Reference: SSO/SS/03/2022

The Position

Reporting to the Head, Strategy & Analytics, the Senior Strategy Officer will be responsible for complex strategy design and analytics; project/team/contract management; client/partner relations management; and institutional engagement and mobilization. S/He will also support the Head on Strategy Model Evolution and contribute to ongoing evolution and improvement of the Strategy team operating model, performance assessment, and strategic planning. The role also supports strategy development, execution, and adaptation; performance management; and structured analytics to ensure AGRA’s interventions are grounded in a robust agriculture transformation Theory of Change and geared towards catalyzing results in AGRA’s focus countries and across the continent. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop new strategic approaches in priority areas identified by the Senior Leadership.
• Analyze the annual strategy through conducting an analysis of progress to date, lessons learned, evolving context and recommendations of adaptive strategies and emerging priorities.
• Design strategic frameworks, models, tools, and processes to track and critically analyze delivery of the strategy; recommends adaptive strategies based on results/evidence, lessons learnt, and insights gained, in the face of changing ecosystems.
• Design and roll-out new strategic initiatives as identified by the Executive Management of AGRA – examples include efforts such as the refinement of a country plan for a priority country; the development of a strategy around youth in agribusiness; or the development of a Fellows program to embed support staff within partner ministries.
• Advocate for the institutional strategic planning process and drives AGRA’s strategy performance management.
• Advise the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) team on improving their decision making and performance through the development of effective country and institutional level performance tracking tools; and critical analysis of results to tease out relevant and actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate with key operational units to ensure strategic alignment, business efficiency, resource allocation, internal capacity building etc. are effected.
• Advise in-country teams and technical teams on strategic planning and roll-out, as well in-depth analytics on agriculture transformation pathways and country progress towards this goal.
• Collaborate with Regional / Country leads and technical teams (the Program Development and Innovation team, the Partnerships team and the Policy and State Capability team) to develop and support execution of high-impact country-level strategies and implementation plans.
• Advise and provide analysis support to the in-country teams to support evidence-based decision making; strategic selection of initiatives; credible engagement with governments and other partners; and assessment of the progression of country agriculture transformation.
• Lead work streams and manages cross-functional teams for institutional or in-country-level strategic initiatives.
• Advocate for knowledge management and thought leadership in AGRA through identification of impactful strategic content, and support for its production and dissemination via appropriate channels.
• Engage with the resource mobilization team, technical teams, and in-country teams to support development, structuring, and occasional implementation of strategic partnerships.
• Implement the new strategy development and adaptive strategies.
• Deliver on strategic priorities by reviewing AGRA’s organizational strategy and Theory of Change for transformation based on emerging results from executing strategic priorities.

Relevant Experience

• Minimum 5 – 7 years’ experience working within a management consulting environment or managing medium-to-large projects/programs, in the broad field of strategy and/or other related areas (business efficiency, performance improvement, organisational change, business and sector intelligence, stakeholder engagement etc.).
• Deep knowledge of, and experience in, strategy development, execution, and review at institutional and territorial level, as well as design and roll-out of analytical frameworks, tools, processes, and other documents to facilitate the strategic planning process.
• Experience in driving the annual strategic planning process for large organizations, in particular framing emergent issues and incorporating lessons learnt and key insights to strengthen the design process.
• Demonstrated ability to extract appropriate data to convey complex information through the use of supporting tables, graphs and other visual representations.
• Demonstrated ability in structured problem solving, yet comfortable with unstructured and ambiguous situations and tasks; ability to learn new content quickly, identify connections and second-order implications and demonstrate competence with internal/external teams.
• Superior delivery and leadership capacity – can synthesize strategic intent into tangible deliverables that drive institutional progress; proactively motivates team performance and productivity.
• Experience in developing and managing strong partnerships and relationships inside and outside the organization, managing conflicts, and building consensus. Comfortably engages with senior decision makers within organization and constructively challenges colleagues, clients and stakeholders.
• Experience of end-to-end project management, including scoping and design, resourcing, risk management and quality assurance.
• Excellent oral, facilitation, and written communication skills; works well in diverse teams, with efficiency and diplomacy.

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Policy, Development Economics/studies or related field. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of this.

Method of Application

If you believe you are the right candidate for this position, kindly submit your application with a detailed CV (including your e-mail address and telephone contacts to [email protected] noting to quote the job reference number in the subject of your email)

To be considered, applications must be received on or before 6th October, 2022.