Call opening: 1st July, 2010

Call closing: 31st July, 2010

The revision of CORAF/WECARD’s Strategic Plan (2007-2016) was completed and endorsed by the CORAF/WECARD General Assembly in May, 2007. This revised plan aims at achieving the goals of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme [CAADP] as well implementing the Agricultural policies of the Regional Economic Communities of West and Central Africa (ECOWAS, UEMOA, ECCAS and CEMAC). Within this context, CORAF/WECARD’s strategic intentions are articulated in its Vision and Mission statements.

CORAF/WECARD’s Vision is for 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.

CORAF/WECARD’s Mission is to sustainably improve the competitiveness, productivity and markets of the agricultural system in West and Central Africa by meeting the key demands of the sub-regional research system as expressed by target groups.

· Excellent opportunities for inter-programme linkages and planning;

· More effective monitoring, evaluation and learning;

· Simplified streams for knowledge and information;

· Independence from undue non-programme influences;

· Clear lines of accountability;

· Strengthened corporate cohesion;

· Clear focus for resource mobilisation and development partners;

· Coherence of all work conducted with the new Strategic Plan.

Technical research – around four Programmes: [1] Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture; [2] Staple Crops; [3] Non-staple Crops; [4] Natural Resource Management; and [5] Biotechnology and Biosafety, - which use an integrated research approach based on systems and commodities, but employing new holistic and participatory methodologies.

Policy research – around one Programme: [6] Policy, Markets, Trade, Institutions and Socio-economic - which, through research, identifies and responds to key issues preventing achievement of improved markets, competitiveness and productivity.

Efficient research delivery – around two Programmes: [7] Knowledge management and [8] Capacity strengthening and coordination - to improve access to information and knowledge management, including research into mechanisms and methodologies.

The present vacancy is for the position of Programme Officer, who will provide management support to CORAF/WECARD’s Executive Secretariat in the implementation of the AusAID-CSIRO-CORAF/WECARD partnership.

· Manage the allocation of project resources – human, financial, material, information – in collaboration with the relevant Directions/Units at the

· Connect and create synergies between project teams and key stakeholders.

· Develop and maintain strong relationships with research collaborators – at the individual and institutional levels.

· Facilitate project team communication, through meetings, regular contacts and using communication tools.

· Manage daily interactions with clients and provide timely and appropriate information as needed.

· Develop appropriate materials in collaboration with the Communication Unit at the CORAF/WECARD Executive Secretariat, which will facilitate information sharing with the general public (eg web and media material) as well as with key stakeholders (eg local farmers and communities, relevant local authorities, embassies).

· Oversee planning, structure, evaluation and reporting of major project meetings.

· Create, implement, monitor and revise work plans and timelines for project activities and ensure the appropriate allocation of resources.

· Play a central role in project planning, review and evaluation.

· Coordinate project reporting.

· Manage internal processes on behalf of the project team e.g. archiving, IT requirements, internal reporting.

· Support project teams so that they comply with organisational policies and guidelines e.g. publication policy, travel policy, social ethics guidelines.

· Track project expenditure with the relevant unit concerned at the Executive Secretariat of CORAF/WECARD, and give feedback to project leaders and teams.

· Ensure that funds are transferred on time from CORAF/WECARD towards project collaborators and consultants, and address any issues related to finance.

· Ensure that clients are provided with acquittal and invoicing information.

· Manage the daily administration of the project.

· Draft general correspondence and responses to enquiries and field requests for information.

· When required, represent the Director of Programmes at project meetings and workshops.

· A PhD degree in an agriculturally related topic.

· At least 5 years experience or interest in international development issues and particularly in rural regions of West and Central Africa.

· Experience or interest in farming systems research, education, capacity building and/or sustainable agriculture.

· Demonstrated experience in CORAF/WECARD and its operations, philosophy and approaches and possession of a broad vision of national, regional, international research issues, placing CORAF/WECARD’s Programmes and initiatives into this context.

· Capacity to hit the ground running, and bring in ideas for entry points, initiatives that could be pursued, and good networks in the area of the partnership.

· Diplomacy, persuasion and negotiation skills.

· Fluency in both French and English languages.

· Ability to work independently in a range of environments and situations.

· Propensity for working in multi-disciplinary, multi-country teams.

· Willingness to travel extensively within the sub-region and internationally.

· Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability to get your point across to senior government and development partner officials, succinctly and diplomatically, and to be responsive to inputs.

· Well-organised, with good planning and problem-solving abilities.

· Flexible, quick-thinking, and ability to remain calm and positive in response to the challenges of travel and work.

· Skills in writing and editing scientific literature and/or ‘general’ material

· Skills in data collection, management and/or analysis.

· Computer literate and fully familiar with the Microsoft Office® Suite of software.

· Ability to remember people’s names and position.

A two-year initial contract, subject to positive performance evaluation of the selected candidate for the first year will be proposed. The renewal is based on execution of the contract satisfactorily judged and on the availability of financial resources of the project.

The application should be addressed to the Executive Director of CORAF/WECARD, Executive Secretariat, N° 7 Avenue Bourguiba, BP 48 Dakar-RP, Senegal and emailed to secoraf@coraf.org

The application should be received at the CORAF/WECARD Secretariat no later than midnight on the 31st July, 2010. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.