ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AND BROADEN YOUR EXPERTISE WHILE MAKING A TANGIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO BETTERING THE LIVELOHOODS OF POOR AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE
The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) was founded in 1987. CORAF/WECARD (www.coraf.org ) is composed of the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of 23 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tomé et Principe Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
The Vision of CORAF/WECARD is “a sustainable reduction in poverty and food insecurity in WCA through an increase in agricultural-led economic growth and sustainable improvement of key aspects of the agricultural research system”. Its mission is to ensure “a sustainable improvement of the competitiveness, productivity and markets of the agricultural system of West and Central Africa by meeting the major demands of target groups of the sub-regional research system”.
CORAF/WECARD is recruiting a highly skilled scientist for the position of Senior Expert – Technology Scaling. Candidates will be citizens of a country which National Agricultural Research System (NARS) is member of CORAF/WECARD. The position is based in Dakar, Sénégal.
Senior Expert Technology Scaling
The Senior Expert – Technology Scaling will be under the authority of CORAF/WECARD Director of Research and Innovation and will work closely with the Partnership for Agricultural Research, Education and Development (PAIRED) team towards the achievement of its objectives.
Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Key Responsibilities
Area 1: Development/Adoption of Scalable Technologies and Innovations (T&Is)
- Supporting the development/adaptation and screening of promising T&Is– to address emerging constraints to agricultural productivity in collaboration with NARS, NCoS, CGIAR, etc.;
- Supporting activities that stimulate demand for existing and newly developed T&Is to facilitate uptake of T&Is by providing end-users with the right information to make evidence-based decision;
- Promoting demonstrations on post-harvest T&Is to reduced storage losses, add value to farm produce and increase profit margins;
- Encouraging the use of best practices in Aflatoxin Management.
Area 2: Agricultural Research Systems Strengthening and Coordination
- Supporting coordination of Research-Extension/Advisory Services-FBOs-Private Sector at the regional and cluster (national and community) through innovation platforms;
- Facilitating training of actors along selected value chains focus on strengthening the capacities of farmers, agricultural extension agents, NGOs, IP Facilitators, and other key stakeholders;
- Facilitating the up-grading of reference units and incubators.
Area 3: Use of Scalable Technologies and Innovations
- Facilitating an ecological and community specific rapid appraisal;
- Supporting the creation of an enabling environment for agri-entrepreneurs in the supply of agri-inputs and processing equipment through the agri-input package approach;
- Supporting the NCoS in conducting analyses on policy and market environment, and;
- Promoting access to credit for selected commodity value chain actors.
Facilitate Coordination and Communication
- Coordinate strategic planning as well as financial resource allocation and management of seed production;
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with agri-inputs production and marketing stakeholders – at the individual and organizational levels.
- Facilitate communication between the Regional and the National Coordinating Units, through meetings, regular contacts and using communication tools;
- Manage daily interactions with agri-inputs stakeholders and provide timely and appropriate information as needed;
- Develop, in collaboration with the Communication and the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Units at the CORAF/WECARD Executive Secretariat, appropriate tools (e.g., Website and Media), to facilitate information sharing with stakeholders.
Monitor and evaluate milestones
- Facilitate Program planning, monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment relating to agri-inputs production, marketing and use;
- Monitor progress towards results, both at CORAF/WECARD and national levels, identify and manage risks to ensure progress of implementation;
- Support the preparation of Programme reporting and archiving;
- Perform any other related duties as may be requested by the Management.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will have the following profile:
- Have at least a M.Sc. Degree in Agri-Business, Agric. Economics, Agronomy or related subject;
- Be knowledgeable in the agricultural research and development domains;
- Have extensive knowledge in farming systems in West Africa, having worked for at least 10 years in the agricultural sector with focus on the research, production and marketing of the major food commodities;
- Be able to promote the visions, missions and strategic goals of CAADP, (through the objectives of ECOWAP, PAU, CORAF/WECARD and the Feed the Future Initiative), and demonstrate integrity by adhering to the CORAF/WECARD’s core values and ethical standards;
- Have Experience in working with the private sector, farmer organizations, Agricultural Extension System, NGOs, the CGIAR is paramount and with development projects will be an advantage;
- Have the capacity to guide interventions to improve agricultural productivity at a wider scale using proven technologies and innovations and linking and coordinating a wide range of stakeholders;
- Be able to provide advisory and technical support to the implementation, monitoring, and improvement of seed production targets;
- Have the ability to collaborate with national and regional platforms (Alliances, Fora, Innovation Platforms, etc.) and use appropriate communication tools to facilitate adoption;
- Be able to work with, coordinate and inspire, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams in a multi-partner environment, and to engage in both local and high level policy dialogue;
- Have the skills to facilitate knowledge building and results-based management within the context of CORAF/WECARD agenda;
- Have the capacity and willingness to travel extensively within the sub-region and Internationally;
- Be able to contribute to maintaining constructive working environment and excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
- Be able to communicate and write effectively in English and French.
This is an internationally recruited position and CORAF/WECARD offers competitive terms of employment. CORAF/WECARD is an equal opportunity employer and applications from women are encouraged.
Applications should comprise a cover letter, a detailed CV, names and contact details (e-mail addresses and telephone) of three (3) references by e-mail at: adecarbon@carrhure.com no later than November 6th 2017 at 17:30 CET.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
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