Employment Contract for Project Coordinator

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT CCARDESA – REGIONAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR

• Background

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is a subsidiary organisation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It was established in 2010 and started its full operations in 2013. CCARDESA has a mandate of coordinating agricultural research and development in the SADC region and contributing to better food security and livelihoods in the region.

CCARDESA is coordinating the implementation of the Agricultural Productivity Program for Southern Africa (APPSA), a World Bank funded project which seeks to improve the generation and dissemination of agricultural technologies in Southern Africa. This is achieved through supporting and strengthening regional centres of research leadership that work on commodities and commodity systems of regional importance. The development objective of APPSA is to increase the availability of improved agricultural technologies in the SADC region. CCARDESA pursues this objective by: (i) establishing Regional Centers of Leadership on commodities of regional importance, thereby allowing regional specialization around priority farming systems and more strategic investment in agricultural research capacity; (ii) supporting regional collaboration in agricultural research, technology dissemination, and training; and (iii) facilitating increased sharing of agricultural information, knowledge, and technology among participating countries.

APPSA project commenced in the year 2013 with the participation of three countries (Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia) for a six-year implementation period. The Republic of Angola and the Kingdom of Lesotho have now joined APPSA project with effect from 2019. It is expected that additional countries within the SADC region will join in future as APPSA evolves and expands. CCARDESA is playing a crucial role of facilitating and coordinating APPSA implementation at regional level.

The Project Development Objective is to improve availability of and access to agricultural technologies within and across SADC countries. APPSA will pursue this objective by:

• establishing Regional Centers of Leadership (RCoLs) on commodities of regional importance, thereby allowing regional specialization around priority farming systems and more strategic investment in agricultural research capacity.

• supporting regional collaboration in agricultural training, technology development and dissemination; and

• facilitating increased sharing of agricultural information, knowledge and technology across boundaries of participating countries

CCARDESA seeks to appoint a qualified and experienced Regional Programme Coordinator from SADC Member States to support the successful implementation of APPSA. The selected candidate will be based at CCARDESA headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, and will be offered a 3-year fixed term renewable performance-based contract.

• Qualifications and Experience

•

• Qualification: Minimum of a post graduate degree, preferably at the PhD level, in agriculture, international development, or other relevant field. Must demonstrate proven knowledge of agricultural development in Southern Africa.

• Experience: Minimum five years’ work experience in programme/project management, preferably in an international organization or regional project, with proven experience in proposal writing, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. Considerable high level supervisory and administrative experience. Experience working with World Bank funded projects will be an added advantage.

• Skills and Abilities: Excellent organizational, communication, and computer skills. Strong information management and quantitative skills. Ability to provide leadership to develop bankable regional projects/programmes.

• Language(s): Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Knowledge of the other two SADC working languages (French and Portuguese) would be an added advantage.

• Other Personal Traits: Results-oriented, accountable, proactive leadership skills. Ability to lead by example and drive change. Excellent interpersonal skills, team management experience and demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, international environment.

• Duties and responsibilities

The APPSA Regional Programme Coordinator will report to the Programme and Grants Manager and will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of all activities that CCARDESA will carry out under APPSA. Duties and responsibilities will include:

• Convening annual regional strategic planning meetings to assess results, identify priority areas for improving the performance of national agricultural R&D systems, and approve annual work plans.

• Providing technical support to capacity building initiatives targeting the participants in the overall agricultural innovation system, including researchers, extension agents, farmers, private firms, and civil society organizations.

• Working closely with RCoLs and stakeholders to develop, review, and validate concept notes and project proposals to implement high-priority agricultural R&D in the targeted commodities.

• Preparing a regional monitoring and evaluation framework and supporting the three participating countries in developing and implementing national M&E plans and in conducting impact assessments.

• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive database on APPSA activities and overseeing the production and dissemination of progress reports to CCARDESA partners and stakeholders.

• In collaboration with participating countries and RCoLs, facilitating the harmonization of policies and regulations governing the transfer of improved agricultural technologies across SADC countries.

• Developing and implementing an advocacy strategy, including the production and dissemination of public awareness materials such as case studies, policy papers targeted at development partner, policy makers and end users.

• Driving the expansion of the APPSA programme regionally

• Duty Station and Tenure of the Office

The successful candidate will be based at CCARDESA headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana, and will be offered fixed term contracts not exceeding four years. Renewal of the contracts will be subject satisfactory performance and other considerations.

• Remuneration

A very attractive remuneration package shall be offered to the successful candidate.

• Gender Mainstreaming

CCARDESA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications from female candidates.

• Submission of Applications

If you are results orientated, you have a passion for the transformation and development of Southern Africa, and possess the required competencies, please submit your application.

Applications including a cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae, together with the names, titles, addresses, and email and telephone contacts of three referees should be sent by email to [email protected] with the subject heading: Regional Programme Coordinator

• Closing date

Deadline for receipt of application letters is 21st February 2021

Only applicants who meet the requirements of the CCARDESA Secretariat and being considered for interview, will be contacted. Should you not hear from the CCARDESA Secretariat within two months after the closing date, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.