Director Product Development and Commercialization 27 views0 applications

Adelko Consulting Services, a global Executive Search firm, has been retained by AATF, to source outstanding candidates for the Director Product Development and Commercialization (DPDC) position.

ABOUT AFRICA AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION

AATF is an international not-for-profit organization that facilitates, and promotes public/private partnerships to access, develop, adapt and deliver appropriate agricultural technologies for sustainable use by smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa.

AATF works with African governments, private and public technology owners and developers, NGOs, seed companies and African farmers to identify and access technologies that will address farmers’ key problems and enhance their productivity. AATF is a registered charity under the laws of England and Wales and has host country status with the Government of Kenya. The Foundation depends on the ongoing support and collaboration of different partners and investors to meet its objectives.

Please visit the AATF website at https://www.aatf-africa.org/ for further details.

DIRECTOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director, the DPDC will lead the strategic design, development, and commercialization of agricultural technology programs and products, ensuring innovations move efficiently from research to farmer adoption and deliver measurable impact across Africa.

The DPDC will assist and advise the Executive Director in achieving the organization’s strategic objectives by providing leadership in the operational management, market deployment and sustainable commercialization of agricultural technologies and products. The DPDC will ensure effective transition of innovations from development to market, driving scale, impact and long-term sustainability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Strategy and Development

• Scout and identify new agricultural technologies and initiate the drafting of relevant concept notes.
• Provide technical leadership in Ag Biotech product development, regulatory compliance, biosafety, and stewardship.
• Ensure efficient monitoring and implementation of AATF’s interventions and projects.
• Ensure effective and efficient strategic direction toward the access and delivery of appropriate innovative agricultural technologies.
• Provide technical backstopping so that staff can better identify technical problems and assist project partners in solving them.

Commercialization & Scaling

• Lead the design and execution of AATF commercialization strategy aligned to institutional goals.
• Provide strategic oversight for transitioning technologies from research and development to market deployment.
• Provide strategic leadership in the design, execution, and scaling of commercially sustainable models across multiple African countries to drive rapid market penetration, ensure long-term adoption of technologies and products, and deliver measurable development impact.
• Identify, develop, and manage strategic technical partnerships with seed companies, private sector actors, governments, and development partners to collaboratively drive the commercialization, scaling, and sustainable uptake of agricultural technologies and products.

Partnership & Stakeholder Management

• Develop, foster and maintain liaison with partners and stakeholders (advanced technology providers in the private and public sectors and AATF’s network of partners).
• Strengthen coordination and alignment across multidisciplinary teams and strategic partnerships to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and results delivery.
• Promote a high-performance culture focused on results, accountability, and collaboration.

Portfolio & Performance Management

• Provide technical backstopping to the Executive Director by advising him/her on new opportunities and representing him/her if required, in the technical working groups and networking forums.
• Support the design and strategic development of the projects by providing technical backstopping, capacity building and guidance to the Projects Managers on project implementation.
• Provide technical backstopping to the Board of Trustees by preparing and presenting technical reports, advising on priority areas and new technologies and guiding on new projects ideas.

Leadership & Organizational Contribution

• Providing overall leadership and technical supervision in implementing and reviewing the AATF’s project portfolio, the project’s strategic planning and project cycle fulfilling, including the establishment of the priority activities required, coordination with stakeholders & partners, the elaboration of guidelines, if necessary.
• Represent AATF in high-level strategic engagements with governments, private sector partners, donors, regional and international institutions to advance agricultural technology development and commercialization objectives and strengthen institutional partnerships.

Resource Mobilization

• Provide strategic leadership for resource mobilization to support the development, scale up, and commercialization of agricultural technology programs, aligning funding strategies with organizational priorities and impact goals.
• Lead the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of high-value funding partners, positioning the organization as a credible, results-driven partner for large-scale, multi-year investments.
• Integrate commercialization and sustainability pathways into funding models, ensuring programs progress toward financial viability and long-term impact beyond donor funding.

KEY RESULT AREAS WITHIN 24 MONTHS

• Effective management of human resources and strengthening of the workforce.
• Advancement of product development through theintroduction of new technologies.
• Increased funding and successful mobilization of additional resources from funders and partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD. Degree in Agricultural Sciences, Natural resources management, Biotechnology or closely related discipline.
• Strong understanding of markets, value chains, adoption drivers, and economic viability.
• Directly focused on moving research to market, scaling technologies, and managing product portfolios.
• Highest relevance for commercialization strategy, partnerships, and business model development.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively senior leadership experience in research, agricultural technology development, deployment, and/or commercialization within reputable international organizations across the public and/or private sectors.
• Demonstrated executive leadership capability, with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, managing organizational change, and resolving complex operational and interpersonal challenges.
• Proven ability to set and execute organizational and programmatic strategy, including oversight of results-based management systems, performance measurement, and impact reporting across multi-country portfolios.
• Deep expertise in program, project, and portfolio governance, including operational oversight, business process optimization, risk management, and accountability for results.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building capability, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at senior levels across governments, donors, private sector partners, research institutions, and development actors.
• Recognized authority in agricultural technology, with significant experience leading product development and/or deployment initiatives and serving as a senior technical representative across internal and external platforms.
• Exceptional executive communication and representation skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical and strategic issues clearly and persuasively in high-level written, oral, and public-facing forums.
• Comprehensive understanding of established and emerging agricultural technologies, including regulatory, policy, and biosafety considerations.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Results/detail-orientation and the ability to work with a sense of urgency in a multicultural and diverse environment.
• Publishes in technical journals, writes white papers on chosen technical expertise, or speaks at agricultural events.
• Fluency in written and spoken French with a working knowledge of Portuguese would be an added advantage.
• Ability to suggest alternative technical solutions to meet client requirements.

WHY JOIN AATF AS DIRECTOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND COMMERCIALIZATION?

The new AATF strategy (2023 – 2027) empowers staff to reach and impact 8 million farmers in Africa directly through tailored technologies. AATF’s reputation spans 24 countries, where it has already achieved significant results. The organisation offers an appealing salary and benefits package, fostering individual growth and success. AATF’s culture is collaborative, results-oriented, and purpose-driven, facilitating collective achievement. Employees work together to reach as many smallholder farmers as possible, supported by a collegial environment. AATF provides a conducive setting where individuals thrive and contribute to its mission of agricultural advancement in Africa.

LOCATION AND CONTRACT TERMS

The position’s holder will be stationed in Nairobi, Kenya. The contract length for this position is three years, renewable pending annual performance assessment and availability of funds. AATF provides a competitive salary package and promotes a multicultural workplace that supports gender parity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

How to apply

To apply, please send your cover letter, detailed CV, and the names and contact information of three references to: [email protected], on or before 26th June 2026.

AATF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious and ethnic backgrounds and any other diversity groups to apply and become a part of our organization.