AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY A PIVOTAL LEADERSHIP ROLE TO INCREASE IMMUNISATION COVERAGE IN THE WORLD’S POOREST AS SENIOR COUNTRY MANAGER

  Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance appointed CARRHURE to help recruit a Senior Country Manager who will represent the Gavi Secretariat in dealing with governments and in-country partners. The purpose of the role is to ensure effective management of grants, risk and relationships, support a successful country implementation and monitor its performance. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance or Gavi is an international organisation that was created in 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Gavi brings together public and private sectors with the shared goal of creating equal access to vaccines for children, wherever they live.   Senior Country Manager   Senior Country Managers work at the forefront of GAVI’s collaboration with governments and partners; enabling them to reach 440 million children since its creation and saving 6 million lives in the process. The hands-on work of Gavi’s Senior Country Managers is fast-paced, demanding and rewarding. Together with governments and partners, they enable the introduction of new and effective vaccines in many places that previously did not have access to them. They work towards the global eradication of polio and the deployment of cutting-edge cervical cancer-preventing vaccines. They may also contribute, once these become available, to the roll-out of an Ebola vaccine and the introduction of long-awaited vaccines against malaria and dengue fever. Senior Country Managers focus on several countries within their assigned geographical region, and divide their time between Gavi’s Geneva headquarters and field visits. They ensure countries deploy Gavi’s vaccine and cash support effectively and transparently. They manage risks and help solve problems that hold back programme implementation and monitor the performance of Gavi-funded programmes. To this effect, Senior Country Managers build and manage relationships with a wide range of representatives from governments, United Nations and donor agencies, and NGOs. Chief among these are Gavi’s alliance partners, which include the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank. Senior Country Managers are also supported in their work by colleagues from various teams within the Gavi Secretariat.   Candidate Profile   We are looking for global health professionals with a strong experience working in or with developing countries on technical issues, significant grant-, project- and/or programme management and preferable experience in bilateral and multilateral aid environments. The ideal candidate will have most, if not all of the following experience, skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics:   Education and Experience  

• Advanced university degree in public health, health economics, development, business administration (with experience in international development) or related field, or other relevant qualification.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience working in public health or international development; experience in immunisation programmes or health systems is an asset.

  Skills and other qualifications  

• Health or international development technical skills; current knowledge of immunisation or health development issues is an asset
• Advanced project management skills demonstrated with complex (e.g., multi-sectorial, multistakeholder) projects
• Financial management skills, including knowledge of project financing and financial processes. Has the ability to prepare, justify, manage budgets and monitor expenditures
• Analysis, problem-solving, prioritisation, planning and risk-management skills
• Interpersonal, teamwork and capacity-building skills
• Oral communication, writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work successfully in an international, multi-cultural, multi-partner environment with significant travel
• Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Written and spoken fluency in French is essential for some positions. A good knowledge of Portuguese is an asset.

  Personal Characteristics  

• Sound judgment
•  Strategic facilitation, negotiation and political acumen
• Representation, advocacy, diplomacy, tact and discretion
• Drive, proactiveness, action and results orientation
• Continuous improvement

  Note: The essential functions above are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned consistently within the department’s needs. Gavi is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A LEADING AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER IN AFRICA AND HEAD THE TOP MANAGEMENT TEAM IN FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION AS DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES (DCS)

  AfricaRice Centre  appointed CARRHURE to help recruit a Director of Corporate Services (DCS). As a member of the AfricaRice senior management team (Executive Management Committee), the mission of the DCS is to work closely with the EMC and other stakeholders, including the relevant CGIAR system component and provide the appropriate overall direction and support to the Corporate Services Unit of the Centre, in order to achieve the Institution’s objectives, mission and vision. The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is a leading pan-African rice research organization committed to improving livelihoods in Africa through strong science and effective partnerships. AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. It is also an intergovernmental association of African member countries. Its membership comprises of 25 countries, covering West, Central, East and North African regions. Its mission is to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security in Africa, through research, development and partnership activities aimed at increasing the productivity and profitability of the rice sector by ensuring the sustainability of the farming environment.   Director of Corporate Services Based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, the DCS will lead and manage a client-oriented Corporate Services (CS) Division and provide appropriate support to the Center in a high results-oriented organizational setup. The DCS will advise the Director General on policies relating to finance, budget, security, human resource management and general administration of the Center, its staff and facilities. The incumbent will also provide periodic reporting to the staff, the Director General, the Board of Trustees (quarterly) and to the CGIAR on the funding and budget of the Center. In addition, the incumbent will assist the Director General in the overall management of the Center and act on his behalf when required to and will perform any other related duties that may be requested by the Director General to ensure the efficient management of the Center and achieve its objectives, mission and vision.   The DCS’s tasks will include, but will not be limited to, the following  

• Assume leadership, strategic direction and full management responsibility of all the Corporate Services functions of the Center including the recommendation and administration of the Institution’s policies and procedures
• Lead the development and promotion of a service-oriented culture in the Center, while ensuring that the robust internal control systems are sufficiently in place to safeguard the assets of the Center
• Design and deliver services based on client needs through internal and external consultative processes to ensure that services are relevant, needed and are of high value
• Ensure the financial stability and viability of the Center through proper financial planning and management
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, representing the Center at various relevant CGIAR System meetings
• Ensure that the Center’s infrastructure and physical facilities are maintained at international standards where AfricaRice has the legal responsibility for their upkeep and capital investment
• Make necessary presentations to the Board of Trustees, especially on funding and budget
• Ensure the development and operationalization of the annual budgets of the organization
• Interface with Senior Management on strategic and operational issues of the Centre

  Candidate Profile We are looking for candidates with in-depth knowledge in managing human, financial and physical resources in an international organization. Strong business experience in public and private sectors will be an asset. The successful candidate should also have an outstanding service approach and service management. The ideal candidate should have a strong motivation and leadership skills that can bring out the best from both individuals and teams.

• The ideal incumbent will have the following qualifications, experience and key competencies: Advanced University degree in a field related to finance/accounting (Certified Public Accountant or Chartered Accountant) and/or business administration and advanced professional qualification in finance or related fields
• At least 10 years of proven expertise in the areas of general management, including financial management, human resources, operations and image building at international and multicultural levels, preferably in an international organization. Senior management experience with sub-regional or global agricultural research organization and knowledge of the CGIAR will be an asset
• Ability to promote the vision, mission and strategic goals of AfricaRice, and demonstrate integrity by adhering to the Center’s core values and ethical standards
• Ability to provide advisory and technical support for the implementation, monitoring, and improvement of the financial aspect of AfricaRice research for development strategy 2011–2020, leading to the effective implementation of all AfricaRice programs
• Ability to think strategically, synthesize and disseminate messages from complex issues
• Ability to encourage and facilitate innovation and teamwork in a multicultural environment, including sensitivity to gender and diversity of the Center
• Ability to manage, supervise and evaluate a diverse team of managers from different cultures and has the credibility to earn respect within the center and its external partners
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with fluency in English and a very good working knowledge of French

 

AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY TO MANAGE AN INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL R&D TEAM IN AFRICA AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL/DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH FOR DEVELOPMENT (DDG/DGR4D)

  AfricaRice Centre  appointed CARRHURE to help recruit a Deputy Director General/Director of Research for Development (DDG/DGR4D). Being a member of the AfricaRice senior management team (Executive Management Committee), the mission of the DDG & DR4D is to work closely with the EMC and other stakeholders, including the relevant CGIAR system component and provide the appropriate overall direction and support to the DDG and DR4D Units, Program Leaders and Project coordinators of AfricaRice to achieve the Institutions objectives, mission and vision. The Africa Rice Centre (AfricaRice) is a leading pan-African rice research organization committed to improving the livelihoods in Africa through strong science and effective partnerships. AfricaRice is one of the 15 international  agricultural research Centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. It is also an intergovernmental association of African member countries. Its membership comprises of 25 countries, covering West, Central, East and North African regions.   Deputy Director General/Director of Research for Development Based at AfricaRice’s 700 ha experimental station at M’bé, near Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, the incumbent will have the combined functions of the DDG and the DR4D. As the DDG of the Centre, the successful candidate will deputize for the DG and may be asked to act as interim DG of the Centre if required. The DDG/DR4D will travel frequently to AfricaRice’s Headquarters office in Abidjan and to its regional and country stations. The DDG/DR4D’s tasks will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Assist the Director General in overall strategic thinking, priority setting, planning and coordination of the Centre’s activities in general.
• Stimulate the use of effective and efficient monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment methodologies, and promote a learning culture in the Centre and among its partners
• Stimulate the establishment of an effective knowledge management strategy and implementation plan to promote in particular the rapid and equitable diffusion of successful experiences and innovations, especially those generated by AfricaRice
• Chair the Centre’s Risk Management Committee and provide oversight to the management of the Centre’s intellectual assets
• Assist the Director General in fundraising efforts for the Centre from traditional and non-traditional sources and provide oversight to the annual budgeting process of the Institution and ensure the equitable allocation of its resources to the Regions, Program and Units
• Lead strategic thinking, priority setting, planning and coordination, monitoring and reviews of AfricaRice’s research for development activities across multiple disciplines and Programs with a large range of partners from the public and private sector in a high results-oriented setup
• Ensure continuous review and adjustment of research priorities in close consultation with AfricaRice’s multiple partners while aligning it with the Centre’s vision and mission
• Provide leadership to the staff of the Research for Development Division and ensure that resources are mobilized and used in the most effective and efficient manner
• Commission periodic reviews of research programs in consultation with the Director General and the Chair of the Program Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Centre
• Consolidate and further strengthen, in particular, research partnerships with national agricultural research institutions, advanced research institutes, regional and continental research fora, the private sector and non-governmental organizations in and out of Africa
• Lead the management and implementation of research activities of the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP), involving other CGIAR centres and Advanced Research partners in Africa
• Develop and ensure the sustenance of an effective research for development continuum through Africa Rice’s programs and networks involving multiple consortia and public and private sector partnerships modesEns
• ure balanced allocation of resources to the Centre’s Programs and lead fund-raising efforts from traditional and non-traditional sources interested in research for development
• Interface with Senior Management on strategic and operational issues and perform any other related duties that may be requested by the Director General to ensure efficient and effective management thereby achieving the objectives, mission and vision of AfricaRice

  Candidate Profile   We are looking for candidates who possess excellent work experience particularly with the implementation of agricultural research projects and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for agricultural research and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa. The successful candidate should be an achiever with a Doctorate degree in a relevant field and has at least 10 years of senior management and leadership experiences in an international agricultural research organization. Successful experience in fundraising is also essential. The incumbent should be an excellent communicator with fluency in English and has a very good working knowledge of French.   Other Key Competencies:  

• Ability to promote the vision, mission and strategic goals of AfricaRice and is able to demonstrate integrity by adhering to the Centre’s core values and ethical standards
• Ability to think strategically and is able to synthesize and disseminate messages from complex issues
• Ability to encourage and facilitate innovation and teamwork in a multicultural environment, including sensitivity to gender and diversity of the Centre
• Strong motivation and leadership skills to bring out the best from both individuals and teams