Kulima Project Manager at The International Potato Center 46 views0 applications

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Researcher (social, agricultural, or environmental sciences) to lead the technology component of a new agricultural innovation project, *KULIMA: Improving the access to and use of agriculture research innovations by Malawian farmers.*

Duties and Responsibilities:

Coordination of research and development activities

• Build and manage a strong and productive partnership across the participating CGIAR centers, ensuring fair and equitable participation.
• Provide quality control of work plans and ensure that overall research priorities, technology dissemination and delivery goals are well understood and effectively met across the multi-institutional partnership.
• Establish flexible and accountable processes for timely planning and delivery of research and development activities, including technology dissemination, and reporting.
• Provide intellectual leadership for the design and implementation of operational research to determine opportunities and constraints for agricultural innovation in project target areas.

Reporting and Representation

• As responsible manager for all technical and financial reporting to the donor, ensure timeliness, quality, and responsiveness to donor requests in all areas of reporting.
• Work with relevant units at CIP Malawi and in regional and global CIP offices to obtain technical and administrative support.
• Work with the M&E staff to ensure that monitoring of project indicators is timely and of excellent quality to support adaptive management.
• Represent the project vis-à-vis GIZ, EU, GoM, and research partners.
• Participate in regular planning and review meetings with GIZ and EU and ensure that the project is well understood and highly regarded by the donor and all project partners.

Project Management

• Provide management, leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of project implementation.
• Ensure that project implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with CIP’s principles, values and strategic plan.
• Work with administrative and finance units at CIP and other CGIAR partners, oversee the development of sub-agreements and works plans.
• Monitor adherence to grant agreement, CIP policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team Building

• Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.
• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that all staff members are effectively using the performance planning and management system.
• Contribute to project team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Project Support Operations

• Coordinate with M&E, finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics, procurement, security, administration and human resources.
• In coordination with the CIP Country Manager, propose and design new local operational policies as needed and in accordance with donor and CIP regulations.

Gender

• Take a leadership role in the mainstreaming of gender sensitive project interventions, through support and promotion of gender throughout all areas of the project.

Selection Criteria:

• PhD level degree in relevant discipline in the social sciences, agriculture, or environmental sciences. MSc degree in relevant field with formal training in innovation systems will be considered.
• Strong experience of at least 5 years in a field-based rural development project promoting agricultural or other technological innovation, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Excellent up-to-date knowledge of innovation systems research and underlying social science methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative.
• Experience of coordinating multi-institutional collaboration in support of rural communities and their governance structures.
• Strong understanding of integrating gender and other social equity considerations into project design and delivery.
• Good knowledge of CGIAR research objectives and products and their relevance to agricultural development.
• Experience of coordinating rigorous M&E and hands-on technical reporting.
• Strong experience of using communication technologies as research and development tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are a must.
• Record of scientific and technical publications and citations.
• Willingness to travel frequently in-country and work under field conditions.

How to apply:

Applications: Applicants should apply online through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website ( https://goo.gl/Az9BFa), including a letter of motivation, a full C.V. with the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Screening of applications will begin on July 21^st will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short listed candidates will be contacted.