Vacancies: Deputy Country Director/ PPP-MA, Program Officer
Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), a non-profit non-governmental organization with Regional Office in Addis Ababa, works to promote the development, demonstration and widespread adoption of improved food production and post- production technologies for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda. This is being pursued in partnership with government agricultural extension service, machine service providers and other stakeholders. The project is implemented through five interrelated themes, one of which is the Crop Production.
Position: Deputy Country Director/ PPP-MA
Job Description:
SAA Public Private Partnership and Market Access (PPP-MA) Management Guide on Roles and Responsibilities
Within the SAA matrix management system that includes a number of staff in management-related positions the Executive Director, the Managing Directors (MDs) of SAA and SAFE the thematic Directors (TDs), the Country Directors (CDs) and Deputy Country Directors (DCDs). All Thematic leaders are subject matter specialists, who must report administratively and are primarily responsible to the SAA Managing Director based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Primary Role and Responsibilities to be performed by CD-DCD
- Provide technical subject matter leadership and support, at the individual country level, relative to the specific country situation.
- Are expected to remain current in the technical aspects of PPP MA (herein referred to as 13) subject matter areas
- Are responsible for building, maintaining and participating in professional international, regional and national networks and associations that are relevant to T3 and that contribute to achieving SAA’s overall plan of work
- Provide programmatic oversight of the T3 personnel in the country assets and finances relative to T3 area of operation. Together with the MD, they will review and approve proposed country program budgets pertaining to the T3 area of programmatic responsibility and, when they deem it necessary to do so, will advocate for changes in proposed investments.
- CD-DCD should work closely with their T3 national staff to ensure that T3 country program goals, objectives and activities are properly aligned with the overall SAA plan of work, and that appropriate expertise is brought bear in timely ways to strengthen the efforts of country staff to successfully implement the organization’s program.
- CD-DCD will motivate T3 country staff to reach higher standards of performance; both in quantitative and qualitative terms, monitor staff performance and provide constructive feedback to MD.
- Contribute to the formation innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships that will increase the impact of SAA interventions. The CD-DCD Partner Integration has an especially active role to play here, but TDs of other themes can and should contribute to engendering effective partnership.
- Promote and ensure effective ME and L of T3 program activities in collaboration with the SAA ME and L Thematic Director, and utilize relevant monitoring information to make appropriate and timely adjustments in program activities (in consultation with the MD, and others in the organization).
- Ensure that technical, financial and other required reports of T3 thematic responsibilities are produced in a timely manner and to high quality standards.
Qualifications and Experience:
- M.SC in Agricultural Economics/Rural Development/MBA with a major in markets issues/ He or she must have a holistic vision of rural development, a good sense of business development and project management; a PhD in any of the listed areas, is an added advantage
- A minor in extension, farmers’ organizations and/or private sector linkage will be appreciated;
- He or she must be business –oriented and understand that technology transfer is not an end by itself but only a tool to achieve prosperity. As prosperity goes hand in hand with markets, he or she must have a good gasp of market access for small producers
- An experience of 10 years at least is required as he or she w to be part of a matrix management in which thematic directors (4) country director (4) are seasoned scientists and practitioners;
- Should be computer literate
- Should have proven track record of working with farmers organizations, private sector, public sector (including researchers);
- Should have very good written and spoken English with French (in Nigeria) and very good written and spoken French with English (in Mali), good communication skills;
- Willing to accept duties and responsibilities assigned by the Country Director and Managing Director (MD) and Executive Director
- Able to work under pressure and deliver
- Have a team spirit in order to implement SAA matrix management
Position: Program Officer Theme 1 (Crop Productivity)
Job Description:
Theme 1 is implemented at the Regional Level by the Thematic Leader supported by a Thematic Coordinator and Program Officers from each country.
The program Officer works under the supervision of the Thematic Coordinator, and the Country Director and is tasked to:
- Supports the Thematic Coordinator in planning and budgeting of project activities
- Assists the Thematic Coordinator in preparing monthly work plan of operations
- Participate in project site for implementation of activities
- Assist the objective Coordinator in supervision and monitoring of project activities at project sites
- Conducts regular field visits to provide technical guidance and advice to farmers and field staff
- Participates actively in organizing and conducting farmer’s field days
- Collects, establishes, maintains and manages data of theme 1 activities
- Reports to the Thematic Coordinator
- Any other assignment by the Country Director and Coordinator
Qualifications:
- The candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, with specialization in crop production or Extension, Masters degree is an added advantage.
- At least 5 years work experience with research or extension organization
- Applies appropriate technologies and skills in training, and for data gathering, analysis and timely reporting
- Has the ability to work productively in team environment and independently and willing to meet unexpected demands
- Should be computer literate
- Willing to do extensive field work, driving experience is an added advantage
- Women are encouraged to apply
Method of Applying:
Interested applicants should forward their written applications, photocopies of their credentials and detailed curriculum vitae full details of contact address (not P.O. Box) telephone numbers and e-mail addresses to the Country Director, Sasakawa Global 2000 Nigeria Project, No. 8 Kura Road, Off Magajjin Rumfa, Nassarawa G.R.A. Kano, which should reach the addressee on or before 27th February 2012. Only shortlisted applications will be acknowledged.
