The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a non-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa's most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. This role is the TAAT Country Engagement Officer, serving as the East Africa Regional Coordinator. The position requires senior-level expertise in agricultural development, particularly concerning seed systems and high-level engagement.
Core Competencies
Candidates must demonstrate the following strong skills and capabilities:
- Demonstrated strong analytical and communication skills and capacity to present convincingly, discuss and negotiate with high-level country officials.
- Blend analytical, observational, organizational and networking skills.
- Good understanding of policy and regulatory issues around seed sector-related public and private partnership development in African countries.
- Demonstrated knowledge of seed systems.
- Familiarity with the policies and procedures of multilateral and bilateral institutions.
- Demonstrated commitment to making organizational and corporate decisions.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a multicultural team environment.
- Background in the public sector and/or government engagement on the African continent.
- Good leadership and personnel management experience to manage a large team of experts based in multiple locations.
- Experience with large-scale adoption of agricultural technologies by farmers on the African continent.
- Work experience in International or National Agricultural centres on the African continent.
- Awareness and social capital and networks with key leaders and experts working in the extension and technology transfer agencies within Africa.
- Deep team-building and people relationship-building skills for a complex project.
- Fluency in both written and spoken English and French is an important requirement for this position.
Educational Qualifications and Experience (Requirements)
- A post-graduate degree in Agronomy, Seed Systems or related agriculture field from a recognized University (MBA/MSc/MA qualification is noted).
- A least 10 years of work experience in the seed sector serving smallholder farmers in Africa.
- Proven work experience in seed systems.
- Experience with development policy, legal and institutional frameworks as well as the technical aspects of projects.
- Working experience with AfDB-supported projects at the national level and on the African Continent is an added advantage.
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