Project Manager (19-27)

International Potato Center POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Ref.: 19-27 PM/GRS/SSA

Project Manager, Malawi

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Researcher (social, agricultural, or

environmentalsciences)to lead the technology component ofan agriculturalinnovation project, KULIMA:Improving the access to and use of agriculture research innovations by Malawian farmers.

About the project

CIP is coordinating contributions by seven CGIAR centers for the EU funded KULIMA project in Malawi. The goal of this 5-year project is to promote sustainable agricultural growth to increase incomes, employment and food security inMalawiinthecontextofachangingclimate. TheCGIARcomponentfocusesspecificallyontheobjectivetoincrease agricultural productivity and diversify production in a participatory, sustainable and climate-change resilient manner. This is done inter alia by improving the organization and delivery of national research and extension services, and by strengthening supply systems of appropriate inputs and related technologies to support increased, diversified and sustainable production. The Project is coordinated by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) working closely with relevant departments of Government of Malawi (GoM), FAO, and a consortium of five NGOs in Malawi. CIP is coordinating the activities of seven CGIAR research centers to provide a wide range of productive integrated technologies, and technical and scientific advice. The Project provides an excellent opportunity for demonstrating and further improving the value of technologies developed and released through collaboration between CGIAR and the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS) in the context of a forward-looking innovation systems approach.

About the position

position will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi and will report to the CIP Country Manager.

Key responsibilities:

Coordination of research and development activities

• Build and manage a strong and productive partnership across the participating CGIAR centers, ensuring fair and equitable participation.

• Provide quality control of work plans and ensure that overall research priorities, technology dissemination and delivery goals are well understood and effectively met across the multi- institutional partnership.

• Establish flexible and accountable processes for timely planning and delivery of research and development activities, including technology dissemination, and reporting.

• Provideintellectual leadership for thedesign and implementation ofoperational research to determine opportunities and constraints for agricultural innovation in project target areas.

Reporting and Representation

• Asresponsible managerfor all technicaland financialreportingto thedonor, ensuretimeliness, quality, and responsiveness to donor requests in all areas of reporting.

• Work with relevant units at CIP Malawi and in regional and global CIP offices to obtain technical and administrative support. • Work with the M&E staff to ensure that monitoring of project indicators is timely and of excellent quality to support adaptive management.

• Represent the project vis-à-vis GIZ, EU, GoM, and NGO partners.

• Participate in regular planning and review meetings with GIZ and EU and ensure that the project is well understood and highly regarded by the donor and all project partners.

Project Management

• Provide management, leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of project implementation.

• Ensure that project implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with CIP’s

principles, values and strategic plan.

• Work with administrative and finance units at CIP and other CGIAR partners, oversee the development

of sub-agreements and works plans.

• Monitor adherence to grant agreement, CIP policies and procedures and relevant external rules and

regulations.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team Building

• Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel

at all levels.

• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees and

ensuring that all staff members are effectively using the performance planning and management

system.

• Contribute to project team-building efforts and ensure the integration of all team members into

relevant decision-making processes.

Project Support Operations

• Coordinate with M&E, finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to

support field activities including logistics, procurement, security, administration and human resources.

• In coordination with the CIP Country Manager, propose and design new local operational policies as

needed and in accordance with donor and CIP regulations.

Gender

• Take a leadership role in the mainstreaming of gender sensitive project interventions, through support and promotion of gender throughout all areas of the project.

Who are we looking for?

• PhD level degree in relevant discipline in the social sciences, agriculture, or environmental sciences. MSc degree in relevant field with formal training in innovation systems will be considered.

• Strong experience of at least 4 years in a field-based rural development project promoting agricultural or other technological innovation, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Excellent up-to-date knowledge of innovation systems research and underlying social science

methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative.

• Experience of coordinating multi-institutional collaboration in support of rural communities and their governance structures. Experience collaborating with Government departments from national to

community level preferred.

• Experience in capacity building and curriculum development.

• Strong understanding of seed and input supply systems to enhance access to improved technologies by

smallholder farmers.

• Strong understanding of integrating gender and other social equity considerations into project design and delivery.

• Good knowledge of CGIAR research objectives and products and the relevance to agricultural development. • Experience of coordinating rigorous M&E and hands-on technical reporting.

• Record of scientific and technical publications and citations. • Strong experience of using communication technologies as research and development tools. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are a must.

• Willingness to travel frequently in-country and work under field conditions.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

• CIP is a global and reputable international organization that has a strong, state-of-the-art R&D background,

and is a recent World Food Price Winner and awarded with the Al-Sumait Award for our Orange Flesh Sweet

Potato work in Africa.

• CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved nutrition and well-being, and gender equality for poor

people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP’s mission contributes to

the SDGs: 1,2,3,5,8,13 and 15.

• CIP is a member of the CGIAR, a network of 15 research centers that are mostly located in the developing

world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

What are we offering?

• Exciting career opportunities in an international organization.

• Internationally competitive salary, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience.

• Comprehensive international insurance coverage.

• Attractive retirement plan.

• Three-year term contracts with the possibility of renewal.

• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

How to apply?

Visit the following link: http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ and submit your cover letter and a full C.V. with your

references. Screening of applications will begin on March 22, 2019 and will continue until the post is filled. All

applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly

encouraged to apply.