Ethiopia: Sweetpotato Program Coordinator

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and ambitious Sweetpotato Program Coordinator to coordinate its growing Sweetpotato Research and Development Program in Ethiopia. We are looking for expertise in market-focused agricultural, food or nutrition research and hands-on experience in program coordination working through local partners. The position offers a great opportunity to contribute to the future of agriculture and nutrition in Ethiopia and East Africa through research and development anchored on biofortified sweetpotato and taking a broad market-driven agri-food systems perspective.

About the position:

This Sweetpotato Program Coordinator will provide overall coordination and technical direction and quality control for CIP’s portfolio of sweetpotato activities in Ethiopia. S/he will lead and supervise a team of researchers, field assistants, and other project staff to deliver high quality technical outputs and ensure broad reach of improved technologies and practices amongst farmers, food processors, and consumers. The incumbent will be part of CIP’s regional and global science teams and will thus participate in wider CGIAR research programs specifically on Roots, Tubers and Bananas and Agriculture for Nutrition and Health. The position will primarily be responsible for timely program delivery and will further contribute to the future development of the program portfolio in Ethiopia and East Africa. The position reports to CIP’s global Sweetpotato Program Leader and is based in Addis Ababa.

Key responsibilities:

Program coordination and delivery

· Lead and coordinate the implementation of CIP’s current and evolving portfolio of sweetpotato activities in Ethiopia, ensuring timeliness, high technical quality of implementation, and achievement of program targets.

· Provide hands-on planning support, supervision of activities and mentoring of staff for a reliable, technically competent, and operationally sound delivery of CIP’s program portfolio.

· Lead the reporting on these activities within CIP and with donors and CGIAR partners, providing quality control for both CIP teams and implementing partners.

· Provide technical leadership and liaison with CIP regional and global scientists and external partners in support of technical excellence of implementation methodologies, rigorous monitoring, and continued learning and adaption of approaches.

· Manage CIP’s partnerships with national, local and international partners contributing to the program portfolio in support of CIP’s broader capacity strengthening mandate.

· Contribute to and lead the publication of research results and program lessons in international journals and through a range of communication activities.

· Ensure that implementation of activities meets policies, standards, and safeguarding guidelines of CIP and donors.

Program development

· Actively seek and promote opportunities for new collaborations with national and international partners on the basis of ongoing program activities.

· Working closely with the global Sweetpotato Program Leader and other CIP teams, contribute to the development of new initiatives and projects.

What are we looking for?

· PhD in a field related to agriculture, food or nutrition and at least 2 years’ experience working in an international program context. MSc degree with additional 5 years’ experience will be considered and specific experience with sweetpotato or related crops is an advantage.

· Strong hands-on experience coordinating field-based research and development programs involving local and national implementing partners.

· Proven track record of excellent planning and reporting skills.

· Strong understanding and direct experience of partnering with commercial private sector in the agriculture and food sectors.

· Excellent leadership skills to promote effective collaboration within the team and across partner organizations.

· Experience working in developing country context is required; specific experience in Ethiopia or East Africa is an advantage.

· Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

· Willingness and ability to travel and work in resource-poor, rural areas.

What are we offering?

· Exciting career opportunity 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 contract with the possibility of renewal.

· Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

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 December 3, 2018 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.