Team Leader, Catalytic Grants and AGRA Advisory Services

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.