VACANCY, IITA

SUSTAINABLE TREE CROPS PROGRAM (STCP) COUNTRY COORDINATOR - LIBERIA (REF: DDG-R4D/STCP/CC/11/10)

BACKGROUND: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of a Country Coordinator.

IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

POSITION/RESPONSIBILITIES:
The STCP Country Coordinator (CC) will report directly to the STCP Program Manager (PM). The CC will be stationed at the STCP country office which is located at Gbargna. The CC will also liaise with and coordinate STCP activities with the IITA Country Representative who is based in Monrovia.

The CC will be responsible for developing and implementing, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, a research and development program focusing principally on the cocoa sector but will also include other tree and staple crops. To this end the CC will lead a STCP country office management team and will work closely with government, donors, partner organizations and farmer organizations.

SPECIFIC DUTIES
Ensure that the STCP Country Office is managed and administered in a first class manner according to IITA policy and procedures.
In consultation with the PM/regional team establish the direction and goals of the country program.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with government, donors and partners.
Identify, develop and prepare project proposals.
Search for local, regional and international funding sources.
Identify critical constraints to achieving the STCP vision and propose and test scaleable approaches for the development of new innovations to address those constraints.
Plan for the implementation of a successful exit strategy.

MANAGEMENT
Fully responsible for managing the country level portfolio of projects and activities.
Develop and maintain a strong and motivated country team based on good communication and through monthly staff meetings.
Undertake regular field visits and checks (at least every month) to oversee project implementation.
Establish an effective management information system to monitor project activities based on monthly reports of field projects.
Ensure that essential project data is captured and recorded in timely manner and undertake periodic analysis and assessments of this data.
Identify field project needs and ensure timely and necessary support.

COORDINATION
Establish and maintain strong working relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture on the basis of the production of a monthly briefing note and monthly meetings.
Contribute to the strengthening and development of the country's agricultural research agenda.
Facilitate appropriate country level tree crop policy dialogue and change.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with donors and partners through regular meetings.
Convene country level stakeholder roundtables/seminars/workshops on key strategic issues.
Liaise and coordinate STCP field activities/components in collaboration with technical implementers and project partners to ensure smooth implementation and to address any constraints.
Organize field visits for representatives of government, donors and partners to successful field activities.
Develop innovation platforms/partnerships with local stakeholders for defining constraints and identifying innovative solutions for testing and scaling out.
Establish and maintain a national strategic network of stakeholders to facilitate implementation of activities and to develop new approaches.
Liaise and coordinate with the regional office on key and cross border issues.

PLANNING AND REPORTING
Draft comprehensive and detailed STCP annual work plans and budgets.
Draft work plans and budgets for ongoing projects.
Prepare quarterly STCP progress reports and submit to the PM.
Draft STCP annual and six month progress reports and present at regional steering committee meetings.
Draft and timely submit reports to donors/regional office for bilateral projects.
In collaboration with local partners and the regional office identify new projects and draft concept notes, project plans and proposals.

ADMINISTRATION
Ensure that the STCP office fully installs and completely follows IITA administrative procedures and systems.
Responsible for the recruitment, appointment, training and discipline of all program staff.
Responsible for the identification of short term consultants, drafting of TOR and contracts in line with IITA policy.
Undertake the negotiation and drafting of contracts with partner organizations.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Prepare annual budgets for STCP and bilateral projects and submit to the regional Finance Manager for approval.
Responsible for the implementation of budgets and accountability through the timely submission of financial reports to the Finance Manager.
In collaboration with the FM establish and maintain a financial management system in the country office.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Design and implement a publicity agenda (media interviews and appearances, newspaper articles, etc) to promote and raise the profile of the STCP country program.
Establish and maintain excellent public relations for IITA/STCP.
Prepare documents and publications to ensure a high program visibility.
Attend relevant national, regional and international meetings and conferences to promote IITA/STCP.

OTHER
Undertake any other duties assigned by the PM.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
Minimum qualification of a master’s degree and will have studied agriculture, natural resource management, forestry or the social sciences. However, other study areas will be considered.
At least 8 years working experience in a managerial position preferably in the humid tropical zone in Africa and in multi-cultural environments.
Experience in a post-conflict environment would be advantageous.
The position demands strong leadership but the candidate must also be a team player. He/she therefore will need to demonstrate experience in leadership and/or management positions and possess excellent communication skills.
Experience in staff training and mentoring would be advantageous.
Networking, ability to interact with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector at senior country levels are essential requirements.
Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary organization would be advantageous.
The position demands good oral and written communication skills and fluency in English.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Initial appointment is for two years. IITA offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars. This is a regional position and is open to nationals and residents of Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications: Applications including curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://old.iita.org/cms/details/job_application.aspx

CLOSING DATE: January 7, 2011

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.