CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Transcription

1 Ground Floor, Red Brick Building Telephone : /7 Plot 4701 Station Exit Road Fax : Private Bag registry@ccardesa.org Gaborone, Botswana Website : CAREER OPPORTUNITIES The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is a Sub Regional Office (SRO) whose Secretariat is headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. The mission of CCARDESA Secretariat is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of smallholder agriculture by supporting the implementation of Pillar IV of CAADP for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. The Secretariat s ultimate goal is to contribute to sustainable reduction of food insecurity and poverty in the SADC region. It enjoys substantial support from SADC member States, as well as from other stakeholders in the SADC region and Development Partners. The CCARDESA Secretariat wishes to invite applications from qualified and competent candidates who are nationals of the SADC member countries to immediately fill the following vacancies. 1. KNOWLEDGE, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION THEMATIC COORDINATOR 1.1. Duties and responsibilities The Knowledge, Information and Communications Coordinator (KICC) will report to the Programmes and Grants Manager (PGM) and will perform the following duties and responsibilities: I. Develop KICC strategy on access to knowledge and information dissemination that will contribute to the achievement of specific objectives for sub-projects and grants, specifically on: (i) Access to Knowledge

2 Build strong partnerships with relevant CCARDESA stakeholders that will lead into a regional strategy on access to knowledge for agricultural research and development (R&D). Identify relevant organizations, institutions, partners and agencies with potential for collaboration on access to knowledge, information and communication and capacity strengthening Provide advice and adequate information on information and learning systems to the CCARDESA Secretariat management as well as concerned policy makers towards more relevant policies and increase investments in ICT/M. (iii) Technology Dissemination Identify relevant organizations, institutions, partners and agencies for the collaboration of Technology Generation and Dissemination with a view to their strengthening and implementation; Provide advice and adequate information on technology dissemination to the CCARDESA Secretariat management as well as concerned policy makers towards more relevant policies and increase investments in ICT/M. (iii) Communication Work closely with the PGM and CCARDESA Secretariat staff to develop and/or update CCARDESA Secretariat s communication strategy to effectively support the delivery of CCARDESA s mission. Identify CCARDESA s communications needs and required actions to ensure that all staff can appropriately and effectively convey the institution s mission and objectives. Develop an efficient and interactive communication system between the various teams, task forces and management committees in order to improve performance, monitoring and decision making Contribute to the development of CCARDESA newsletters, bulletins and brochures for CCARDESA stakeholders and constituents. II. Develop together with stakeholders a practical and appropriate M&E system within the KICC strategy that will add value to CCARDESA s Secretariat M&E system.

3 III. IV. Collaborate with NARS and other SROs to encourage and support information sharing and knowledge exchange across and outside the SADC region. Collaborate with NARS, SROs, CGIAR Centres and UN agencies to encourage sharing of information on newly developed and proven technologies that could be disseminated across the SADC region and the African continent to assist with improved agricultural productivity; V. Develop advocacy strategy that could include production and dissemination of public awareness materials such as case studies, policy papers targeted at development partners and policy makers. VI. VII. VIII. IX. Collaborate with other Coordinators to ensure effective and wide-scale dissemination and sharing of project outputs. Effectively develop and manage the Secretariat s communication strategy. Take full responsibility in editing the content of all communication materials of CCARDESA destined or intended for publication. S/he will work closely with relevant CCARDESA staff to research and collect, compile, write and edit news releases, features and opinion pieces on pertinent agricultural research issues in Southern Africa. Respond to requests for information in a timely, cost effective and appropriate manner on various issues raised by CCARDESA Stakeholders. X. Any other duties as will be assigned by the PGM and CCARDESA management Minimum Qualifications and Requirements i. Knowledge: A PhD or a Master s degree in agriculture, agricultural information and communication systems, innovation systems, agricultural education or related field. Preferable have training and experience in M&E systems, economics and agriculture. Must demonstrate deep knowledge of agricultural development in Southern Africa especially in agricultural information, communication and learning systems. ii. iii. Experience: Over five years working experience in agricultural information and communication management, technology dissemination and partnership building. Experience in conducting or managing multi-stakeholder program in SADC; Demonstrative quantitative analytical skills; experience in setting strategic priorities for complex and challenging research and development institutional structures within the dynamic Southern African environments. Preferably, experience with technical editing and excellent scientific writing skills in English. Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment;

4 ability to make presentations and write well under pressure and a commitment to meeting deadlines CAPACITY BUILDING THEMATIC COORDINATOR 2.1. Duties and responsibilities The Capacity Building Coordinator will be report to the PGM and will perform the following duties and responsibilities; I. Develop and implement the Capacity Building and Strengthening Strategy to effectively achieve its objectives II. III. IV. Work closely with other Coordinators and programmes to ensure that each programme strategy has a practical and appropriate evaluation plan. Facilitate evidence-based discussions about progress being made against strategic milestones and derive lessons aimed at improving strategies and field implementation; Identify relevant organizations, institutions, partners and agencies for the collaboration of capacity development, strengthening and implementation; V. Collaborate with the NARS to encourage mainstreaming the institutionalization of capacity building and strengthening in agricultural research and extension within the agricultural development programmes; VI. VII. VIII. IX. Develop investment proposals for the development of Agricultural Research Capacity; Provide CCARDESA and the NARS with information and support necessary for the effective implementation of capacity development programmes and achievement of their programme objectives; Work with Secretariat staff, grantees and other external partners to facilitate the flow of information, evaluation and learning for maximum impact; Any other duties assigned by the PGM and CCARDESA Management Minimum Qualifications and Requirements i. Knowledge: A PhD or a Master s degree in agriculture, agricultural extension, agricultural education or a related field. Preferable training and experience in a mix of evaluation, economics and agriculture. Must demonstrate deep knowledge of agricultural development in Africa.

5 ii. Experience: Over seven years working experience in building research and/or evaluation capacity in complex organizations. Experience conducting or managing multi-method programme and strategy evaluations; demonstrative quantitative analytic skills; experience setting strategic priorities for complex research and development organizations in dynamic environment MONITORING AND EVALUATION COORDINATOR 3.1. Duties and responsibilities The Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator is responsible to the Executive Director for providing Heads of Department with information and advice on how to measure progress of the Secretariat s activities. S/He will be expected to develop and implement a comprehensive M&E framework for the Secretariat and all the projects. Specific duties and responsibilities for this position include the following; I. Design a suitable institutional and automated Monitoring and Evaluation framework for the Secretariat; II. Provide mechanism and timeliness for performance monitoring, evaluating and reporting at all levels; III. Identify capacity gaps and training needs of key staff and grantees and build the necessary capacity; IV. Determine the institutional capacity requirements for implementing the Monitoring and Evaluation system at the Secretariat and project levels; V. Determine the different reports to be generated from the M&E system, their respective frequency and the means of disseminating to stakeholders. VI. Any other duties assigned by the Executive Director or Manage Programmes and Grants Management Minimum Qualifications and Requirements i. Knowledge: Minimum of master s degree in social or agriculture, agricultural extension, agricultural education or a related field. Preferable training and experience in a mix of evaluation, economics and agriculture. Must demonstrate deep knowledge of M&E in agricultural research and extension in Africa. ii. Experience: Over seven years working experience in agricultural research and development in a busy work environment.

6 4.0 FINANCE MANAGER The Finance Manager reports to the Executive Director. S/he superintends over implementation of CCARDESA Secretariat s financial operations policies and procedures. S/he manages the Secretariat s finances. S/he is charged with maintaining the highest standards of financial probity and adherence with international accounting practices as well as the terms and conditions of all financial agreements entered into by CCARDESA Secretariat. S/he ensures that all CCARDESA Secretariat s transactions are managed in accordance with agreements entered into by the Secretariat and with the Secretariat s Finance, Operations Policies and Procedures. 4.1 Specific Duties and Responsibilities I. Implement sound Financial and Accounting controls to assist with day-to-day operations. Assumes the primary responsibility of establishing (or upgrading), coordinating, and reporting the Financial and Administration systems of CCARDESA that it conforms with the international accounting and auditing standards; II. III. IV. Supervise all Financial and Accounting staff at CCARDESA. Maintain relations especially on financial reports and other related contractual obligations to donors; Co-ordinate and participates in the preparation and development of CCARDESA Secretariat s and programmes budgets; V. Maintain records and develops procedures that will permit the generation of quantitative financial reports on CCARDESA s operations to satisfy the needs of CCARDESA Management and staff, Board of Directors Stakeholders and Donors; VI. VII. VIII. Provide meaningful interpretation of the financial information and assists in the policy-setting, planning, and control operations; Participate in the development and implementation of long and short range plans for CCARDESA; Advise on appropriate and low-risk investment policies, to maximize returns on investments. 4.2 Minimum Qualifications and Requirements i. Knowledge: A post graduate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field; Full professional accounting qualifications such as Chartered Public Accounting (CPA), ACCA, CIMA or equivalent. ii. Experience: Proven five years continuous working experience in a senior position, whereby two was on management level, preferably in an international

7 organisation, NGOs or Public Service; Good knowledge of fund accounting, including reporting requirements of major donors and development partners; Demonstrable skills in the development of finance and accounting policies, procedures, office operations and systems in the context of an international organisations. iii. iv. Integrity and accountability: Should have integrity and accountability in handling public resources. Skills and Abilities: Developed financial management/accounting skills are a must. Excellent organizational, communication and computer skills. Ability to analyze, set priorities and complete tasks with minimum supervision to strict deadlines. This position requires initiative and a flexible, friendly and cooperative personality. The successful candidate must be fluent in written and spoken English in all aspects of the work required. Knowledge of the other two SADC working languages (French and Portuguese) will be an added advantage. MODE OF APPLICATION: Application letters with detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of relevant certificates should reach CCARDESA Secretariat not later than Friday, 30 th January Applicants should also include their addresses, fax numbers, cell phone numbers and names of two referees; one of who should be the past employer. CCARDESA Secretariat is an equal opportunity employer; hence women are highly encouraged to apply. Applicants who will not be invited for interview within one month after the deadline for receiving applications should consider themselves unsuccessful. All applications should be addressed to: The Human Resource and Administration Manager, CCARDESA Secretariat, Ground Floor, Red Brick Building, Plot 4701, Station Exit Road, Private Bag 00357, Gaborone, Botswana. Telephone: ; Fax: Address: registry@ccardesa.org