Research Programmes Manager

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
(Ref. No. IRS/208/062017)

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES MANAGER

icipe — African Insect Science for Food and Health is a world-class research centre with a mission to alleviate poverty by ensuring food security, improving health, protecting the environment, and building the capacity of researchers and communities across the developing world through the application of insect sciences. Employing more than 500 national and international staff, icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with outposts in Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, and on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. icipe has a proud reputation and history of delivering world-quality science that has made crucial contributions to African food and health policy, delivered development outcomes to rural communities, and has been at the forefront of building Africa’s biological research capacity. The Centre’s research activities span the African continent with partnerships linking research organisations, not only across Africa, but also the globe. In addition, more than 150 graduate students and a number of postdoctoral fellows contribute to icipe’s research portfolio annually. For more information visit: www. icipe.org

Please also download icipe’s Vision and Strategy 2013–2020 http://www.icipe.org/publications/corporatepublications/vision-and-strategy

icipe seeks to recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Research Programmes Manager in the office of the Director of Research and Partnerships. The position is tenable in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville Campus and is available to commence immediately. This is a two-year contract, with a possibility of extension after successfully completing a six-month probation period of the first contract.

A competitive and generous compensation package that includes housing and transport allowances, child education allowance up to university first degree, comprehensive health and life insurance cover, and an offshore retirement package (all payable in US Dollars), will be offered to the right candidate. Furthermore, the incumbent will receive paid annual vacation, return airfare for themselves and their dependents to their nominated home base each year, and duty free privileges. If the successful candidate is appointed from outside Kenya, he or she will be offered support to relocate and settle in the city. icipe employs a number of international staff. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Living in Nairobi

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, and with a population of over three million, hosts all the urban and social amenities and offers a comfortable, convenient and pleasurable life. There are a wide variety of excellent international schools and well-equipped medical facilities that are open 24/7 in Nairobi. The city is also accessible by various reputable international airline carriers. Nairobi has a thriving international research scene, hosting various CGIAR centres and several UN agencies. Although it is important to be conscious of security, Kenyans are warm and welcoming of visitors.

Scope

The Programmes Research Manager reports to the Director of Research and Partnerships (DRP), and provides assistance in ensuring research excellence across icipe’s 4H Themes and capacity building, coordinates and reviews proposals, prepares project progress reports and Governing Council reports, and undertakes resource mobilisation and partnership building, while ensuring an effective research environment and managing normative office duties (such as calendar management and scheduling of meetings).

Specific duties

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Assist the DRP in the implementation of the Centre’s programmatic R&D and partnership activities, to ensure they are conducted effectively and efficiently and are reported to donors and partners in a timely manner.
• Take an active role in the technical review of proposals, project progress reports and technical documents for assessment by the DRP, prior to submission to donors.
• Assist the DRP in the preparation, organisation and servicing of various technical committees and Governing Council meetings of the Centre, including contributing to the preparation of reports, official documentation and related submissions to the Director General’s office and the Governing Council.
• Assist the DRP in maintaining close working relationships with institutional partners and icipe’s host government and scientists, to foster partnership building and promote and facilitate technical cooperation related to the Centre’s core programmes on R&D and capacity building, as well as fund mobilisation.
• Assist the DRP in building and enhancing the institutional and human resource capacities of the various Themes as necessary.
• Work with the DRP to uphold research compliance requirements across the Centre and contribute to risk assessment and development of mitigation strategies for icipe’s risk register.
• Plan and manage analytical and normative office duties, including calendars, efficient filing systems, identification and sharing of good practices, and linkages to R&D and capacity building programmes.
• Support in planning and organising internal and external meetings, workshops, and other events as requested by the DRP.
• Prepare and monitor the DRP’s office budget.
• Undertake official missions to partners, either alone or as a participant in a diverse institutional team, as part of the Centre’s technical cooperation activities, to document activities.
• Conduct related training of junior colleagues in other programmatic areas by reviewing their work and providing feedback.
• Organise expert group meetings, conferences, and seminars as related to the DRP’s office on R&D and capacity building.
• Prepare draft speeches and presentations as may be required.
• Coordinate with and ensure linkages and synergies between DRP’s office and the DG and DFA offices, particularly with regard to R&D and capacity development.
• Facilitate donor and partnerships missions to and from icipe, and media relations with the Communication’s Office, as appropriate.
• Peerform other duties as assigned by the Head of the Centre.

Requirements/Qualifications

• § Advanced degree in agricultural/health/environmental or related sciences with experience in research, project management, and science communication.
• § At least 5 years’ experience in administrative responsibilities relevant to agricultural/health/environmental or related sciences.
• § Excellent command of the English language, written and verbal.
• § Willingness to work long hours and travel to other countries and regions.
• § Excellent interpersonal skills required, including ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels, as well as with colleagues, donors and funders, IGO, NGO, UN Agency personnel, and individuals with diversified backgrounds and nationalities.

Key competencies

• Effective presentation and report-writing skills.
• Strong analytical and strategic skills, as well as good written and oral communications skills.
• Ensures substantive rigour in reporting, reviews and application of proven successful approaches.
• Able to assess project performance to identify success factors and make recommendations to scientists on best practices into project work.
• Effectively networks with partners internally and externally, while seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and expert-level proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilises these in work assignments.

Other desirable attributes

• Looks at experience critically, drawing lessons and building them into the implementation of activities.
• Approaches work with determination, energy, positive and constructive attitude and produces results under complex settings, and solicits feedback.
• Solid experience in working independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent organisational skills, high level of accuracy with attention to detail, and ability to manage/prioritise a high-volume workload with strict deadlines.

Reporting

This position reports to the Director of Research and Partnerships (DRP).

The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be accepted up to 28th July 2017, or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier. Interested applicants should submit: (a) a confidential cover letter, (b) detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers), and (c) a statement illustrating suitability against the listed qualifications/competencies/abilities, and skills.

Candidates are required to apply online through: http://recruit.icipe.org

icipe is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.