Country Representative - Mali

 

VACANCY: Country Representative - Mali

 

About our organization:

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is a non-profit global research organization that generates sciencebased knowledge about the diverse and important roles that trees play in the development of agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. The Centre’s vision is a rural transformation in the developing world, as family farmers use tree-based solutions based in agroforestry to improve food security, nutrition, income, soil, human and ecosystem health, and to help them adapt to and mitigate climate change. With their multidisciplinary research and the knowledge they generate, ICRAF and its partners advance policies and practices that benefit the poor and the environment.

The Centre’s headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya, and it conducts research in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. ICRAF is a member of the Consortium of 15 independent agricultural research centres of CGIAR.

To learn more, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

The Position

Under the overall guidance of the Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa and in effective partnership with appropriate institutions in the Sahel, the Mali country representative will in general spend around 30% for research, 20 % for project leadership and 50% of the time for coordination. And specifically have the following duties and responsibilities – such duties include both strategic leadership, research, capacity building and fund-raising activities. Duties and Responsibilities

Researcher:

• Develop a clear agroforestry strategy for the Sahelian and Dry Savannas in collaboration with the Sahelian institutions and other partners/stakeholders;
• Be a point of contact for national and international partners seeking to work with ICRAF in agroforestry R4D in the Sahel, including wide-scale dissemination of agroforestry-based innovations
• Lead ICRAF’s Agroforestry research agenda in Mali and supervise the team of seconded, nationally and international -recruited staff based in Bamako and as appropriate
• Conduct scientific research on Agroforestry systems especially those related to Sahel national programs and policies.
• Develop and promote use of assessment tools and models promoting the role of agroforestry in addressing Agroforestry systems issues.
• Publish and present research findings at all level including local, national and international levels through publication in peer-reviewed journals and other media
• Develop partnership within and outside ICRAF [e.g. host country and regional institutions, National Agriculture Research System (NARS) and universities for advancing the science of agroforestry, particularly related to Agroforestry systems in the Sahel
• Actively engage in project development (seeking for funding opportunities, developing proposals, follow-ups), especially in the areas of Agroforestry systems
• Lead relevant projects and project components based (on the expertise of the incumbent), but particularly on Agroforestry systems
• Liaise with ICRAF Science Domain Theme leaders and scientists in the West and Central Africa region for technical exchange and collaboration

Project Leader:

• Design and implement an effective resource mobilization strategy aimed at supporting and expanding ICRAF‘s project portfolio in the Sahel and the WCA region Develop and nurture a productive, efficient and equitable working environment for all staff in the Sahel
• Manage resources efficiently and effectively (staff, assets, financial resources) to achieve project deliverables (goals and objectives) as per funding agreement and approved project proposals.
• Lead the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the Sahel countries’ programme of work and budget and prepare periodic progress reports
• Ensure timely project deliverables (research output, trainings, synthesis, tools, and quality scientific publications) and reporting as mandated by donor/s or ICRAF governance.
• Proper adherence to code of conduct, research ethics, partnership and publications and relevant ICRAF policies.
• Ensure adequate publication and dissemination from project activity, including development and implementing project communication strategies in consultation with the Information Unit

Coordinator:

• Initiate and participate in developing, implementing and evaluating strategic management plans, budgets and business process improvement programmes aimed at improving organisational effectiveness
• Develop and implement strategies for creating a culture based on transparency, integrity, accountability to ensure that programme activities are undertaken on sound management principles and set standards, policies and procedures
• Supervise capacity building activities within the Sahelian countries, in collaboration with seconded national representatives, including supervising post-graduate students, policy markets and empowering farmers organizations, as appropriate;
• Conduct training needs assessment, design and implement training programmes aimed at equipping staff with appropriate job competencies in order to improve delivery of high quality services
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff in order to ensure that the candidates selected have the required job competencies and are provided with orientation and induction programme necessary for effective job performance
• Review incidents of violations against organisational policy and handle employee disputes and take appropriate action in line with approved policies, procedures and regulations
• Plan, monitor and evaluate staff performance against their key performance indicators and implement development action plans aimed at building the capacity of individuals and multidisciplinary teams
• Identify and take action to mitigate potential risks within own work area.

Other Responsibilities:

• Undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the Regional Director of WCA regional program and/or the Senior Leadership Team of ICRAF
• Take reasonable care of own occupational health and safety and that of others as obliged by ICRAF’s Occupational Health & Safety Policy; and cooperate with ICRAF in complying with requirements under any statutory health and safety provisions of relevant Country laws

Required Academic and Professional Qualifications:

• PhD in Agroforestry, Socio Economics, Forestry, Natural Resource management or related fields including social sciences, economics and anthropology
• At least ten (10) years hands-on field experience in managing interdisciplinary programmes and multi-disciplinary staff, and projects focusing on the rural poor, ideally with experience in the West Africa drylands and Dry Savannas
• Clearly established reputation and credibility in international, regional, national development

Required Skills and Competencies:Proficiency in English and French writing skills  Experience in designing and implementing multi-institutional programmes and projects  Experience in managing corporate service functions and particularly, overseeing financial management, budgets and donor compliance  Strong skills in

• Proficiency in English and French writing skills
• Experience in designing and implementing multi-institutional programmes and projects
• Experience in managing corporate service functions and particularly, overseeing financial management, budgets and donor compliance
• Strong skills in conceptualisation, communication and reporting
• Proven ability to publish scientific articles in refereed journals and excellent ability to contribute to the research and development literature
• Demonstrated understanding and appreciation of the role of science in contributing to development in rural areas
• Excellent oral presentation skills and computer literacy
• Proven resource mobilization skills including proven evidence of ability to raise funds
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work well in multicultural environment
• Conceptualize and analyse problems to identify key issues and resolve underlying problems
• Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
• Devise new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative initiatives
• Well organized and able to meet deadlines

Terms of offer:

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we encourage applications from qualified women. This position is remunerated on International Terms. The appointment will be for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a nine (9) months’ probation period.

This position will be based in ICRAF’s Office in Bamako, Mali.

How to apply:

Go to http://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies, complete the application form and attach your cover letter and CV/Resume (as one document – labelled with your First Name and Last Name).

Applications will be considered until 29 May 2017. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.