Vacancy Announcement
ASIESA Project Director with African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA)
About AFSTA
AFSTA is a continent-wide umbrella body representing the private seed industry. AFSTA was formally established on March, 2000, during an inaugural congress in South Africa where Kenya was elected as host country for the Secretariat.
The African Seed Trade Association arose out of a need to have a regional
representative body for the seed industry, which could also serve to promote
the development of private seed enterprises. AFSTA now has a diplomatic status.ASIESA Project Director with African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA)
About AFSTA
AFSTA is a continent-wide umbrella body representing the private seed industry. AFSTA was formally established on March, 2000, during an inaugural congress in South Africa where Kenya was elected as host country for the Secretariat.
About Alliance for the Seed Industry in Eastern and Central Africa (ASIESA)
In response to the challenges above, AFSTA and COMESA teamed up in 2010 to create the Alliance for the Seed Industry in Eastern and Southern Africa (ASIESA).
This is a public-private partnership whose goal is to create a reliable source of improved quality seeds the region by addressing the constraints facing the supply of certified seeds to farmers.
Phase one of ASIESA is being implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar through their National Seed Trade Associations (NSTAs).
Funding
The ASIESA is a multi-donor seed project with initial funding provided by USAID. It is expected that more development partners would join ASIESA to make it a success.
ASIESA Project Director Role
The ASIESA Project Director has overall responsibility for the implementation, leadership and management of ASIESA and ensures successful achievement and communication of key objectives, goals and milestones.
The Director reports to the AFSTA Secretary General and ASIESA Steering Team, and is ultimately accountable to the AFSTA Board.
Main Tasks and Duties
- Responsible
for overall implementation, leadership and management of the ASIESA
Project.
- Ensure
successful achievement and communication of Project objectives, goals and
milestones.
- Ensure
all the 40 Key Milestones for the ASIESA project are delivered and
communicated well, both at a regional as well as national level, for all
the 8 countries.
- Ensure
timely management and disbursement of project funds; Holds fiduciary
accountability for use of project funds.
- Recruitment
and Management of project staff, monitor and evaluate performance; ensure
staff are motivated and developed / ensure staff grievances are handled
well and resolve staff conflicts professionally.
- Provide
project reports and feedback on project progress.
- Represent
ASIESA in various private and public forums or as delegated by the
Secretary General.
- Serve
as Secretary to the ASIESA Advisory Team.
- Manage
relationships with key project stakeholders and collaborating partners,
including the National Seed Trade Associations.
- Ensure
the smooth and efficient organization and management of the Secretariat as
well as the human, financial and physical assets and resources
- Make
priority decisions relating to project funding.
- Understand
the nuances of each project subcomponent and be able to answer to the
different donors on the diverse sub components.
- Prepare
ASIESA’s Annual Plan of Work and Budget and Financial Statements for
approval by the AFSTA Board.
- Organize,
plan and manage all meetings organized by ASIESA.
- Perform
any related duties as may be assigned by the Secretary General and ASIESA
Advisory Team, for achievement of the project goals and objectives.
Mandatory Competencies and Qualifications:
The successful candidate must be an African citizen from any one of the COMESA countries. Candidates from the eight ASIESA Project countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar) are encouraged to apply.
Career Background / Operational Experience:
The successful candidate must be an African citizen from any one of the COMESA countries. Candidates from the eight ASIESA Project countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar) are encouraged to apply.
Career Background / Operational Experience:
- A
commendable career with 10+ years experience in African agri-business and
specifically within the Seed Sector in COMESA region.
- At
least 5+ years experience in managing complex seed related donor projects
in Africa, COMESA region.
- Public
sector or Non-profit sector experience an advantage.
- Capable
of facilitating discussions and participating in debates on highly
variable topics, relating to agricultural and seed development ;
- Possess
strong skills in the management of human and financial resources,
organizational change and knowledge management;
- Possess
strong experience in financial resource mobilization;
- An
excellent communicator with an accomplished public speaking record within
the agricultural and seed sectors.
- Able
to maintain the diversified and multi-stakeholder partnerships;
- Capable
of travelling extensively.
Academic Background
- At
least Masters degree in Agricultural Science, Agronomy or other related
fields.
- A
Bachelors degree in the same fields will be considered if supported by
ample experience)
- Qualifications
in Project Management
- Qualifications
in Financial Management.
- Good
Computer skills (MS Office / Internet).
Other Requirements
- Ability
to work in a multi disciplinary team to achieve common goals in a
challenging environment.
- Hands-on
approach to management; strong team management skills; bottom-up approach
to management.
- Strong
follow-up ability.
- Excellent
Interpersonal skills; Diplomacy skills; ability to manage complex
relationships.
- Fluency
in spoken and written English;
- Resourceful;
passionate about their work.
- Respectful
of all working relationships; not bossy.
- Basic
working knowledge of French and Portuguese is an added advantage.
Terms and Conditions
The Project Director shall be based in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Headquarters of the Association is located. The Project Director is recruited with a five (2) -year mandate with a high potential for extension based on a successful performance assessment.
The Remuneration is based on the internationally competitive and attractive salary scale of AFSTA
Application
Expressions of Interest with a full CV and supporting statement, highlighting your experience and skills against the requirements of the role should be submit to Ms. Susan Waweru, Director, SRI Executive Search, Nairobi, Kenya.
Email: swaweru@sri-executive.com
SRI Executive have been retained by AFSTA to manage both internal and external applications for this prestigious role.
The closing date for applications is 30 April 2012
The Project Director shall be based in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Headquarters of the Association is located. The Project Director is recruited with a five (2) -year mandate with a high potential for extension based on a successful performance assessment.
The Remuneration is based on the internationally competitive and attractive salary scale of AFSTA
Application
Expressions of Interest with a full CV and supporting statement, highlighting your experience and skills against the requirements of the role should be submit to Ms. Susan Waweru, Director, SRI Executive Search, Nairobi, Kenya.
Email: swaweru@sri-executive.com
SRI Executive have been retained by AFSTA to manage both internal and external applications for this prestigious role.
The closing date for applications is 30 April 2012