International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Program Manager on behalf of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The Program Manager will be responsible for managing the implementing selected projects that are being implemented by HarvestPlus. the Program Manager will report to the Africa Regional Director and will work closely with other functional teams within the organisation to ensure efficient and effective implementation of the selected projects.
ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR Research Centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. Established in 1975, IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 50 countries. It is a research center of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development.www.ifpri.org
General Background
HarvestPlus improves nutrition and public health by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and providing global leadership on biofortification evidence and technology. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH). CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by its 15 research centers in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. HarvestPlus is based at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and collaborates with multiple CGIAR centers and partner organizations. www.HarvestPlus.org
Responsibilities
Enhancing Nutrition Services to Improve Maternal & Child Health (ENRICH)
Oversee all matters related to the ENRICH project
Provide guidance and/or training to project partners/sub grantees and track progress to ensure that project activities are executed in a timely manner
Production of nutrition/bio-fortification education materials.
Providing updates to the Africa Regional Director and Head of Fundraising.
Preparation of project reports as per the requirement from World Vision
Provide guidance and/or training to project partners/sub grantees and track progress to ensure that project activities are executed in a timely manner
Develop comprehensive reports from the three ENRICH countries and synthesize them for submission to World Vision based on the reporting schedule
Provide responsive and timely feedback WV’s ENRICH Chief of Party and build relations with country-based WV teams in Kenya, Tanzania and Bangladesh.
Monitoring project execution- Liaise with technical units and World Vision to ensure project implementation targets are met
Managing and monitoring project expenditure against approved budget in order to provide management with a clear status of project resources
Managing the project budget and taking action with regard to project extensions, budget reallocations and any other related actions
Support and contribute in the implementation of a project Monitoring and Evaluation (M+E) framework
Support advocacy, and fundraising for the program
Sensitize farmers, community leaders including religious leaders and households on bio-fortified crops and nutrient dense crops
Developing concept papers and proposals to ensure project is fully funded
Any other duties related to project management and program development as may be determined by the Africa Region Director.
Commercialization of Biofortified Crops – GAIN –HarvestPlus partnership
Provide leadership and represent HarvestPlus under the GAIN partnership
Provide leadership and formulation of strategies for the successful implementation of the project
Provider leadership in the implementation of the work plan on commercialisation of biofortified crops in Kenya
Coordinate meetings and implementation with program consultants and any other partners,
Represent HarvestPlus at all the partnership meetings and workshops for the Commercializing Biofortified Foods Programs.
Provide regular progress on the implementation phase of the project.
Participate in the preparation, formatting, and coordination of donor reports.
Managing and monitoring project expenditure against approved budget in order to provide management with a clear status of project resources
Process payments to consultants and other service providers, ensuring compliance with HarvestPlus policies and procedures.
Work with Finance to ensure all program related expenses are properly coded and financial reporting is accurate.
Requirements
Master’s degree in a relevant field, plus a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in managing agriculture projects in Africa;
Program Management Certification
Background experience in agriculture and nutrition with international experience, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Demonstrated experience in interacting with stakeholders from both public and private sector
Strong project management skills, including effective communication and decision-making abilities.
Self-motivated, ability to work independently, and comfortable in a global team, including working well with team members located in multiple time zones and countries.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to structure analyses that drive strategic decisions
Willingness and ability to travel with global team members and partners (approximately 4-6 international trips per year).
Full fluency in English (verbal, written).
Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya
Terms of Appointment
The position is on a 1-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
