POST:Advocacy & Resource Mobilisation Officer

Advocacy & Resource Mobilisation Officer
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
Location: Accra, Ghana
Last Date: January 28, 2010
Email: ed@fara-africa.org

Vacancy Announcement

Advocacy & Resource Mobilisation Officer: Ref: FARA/adv/ARM/2010

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex organization for agricultural research for development in Africa. As the lead institution for NEPAD’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) pillar IV, which encompasses agricultural research and technology dissemination and adoption, FARA seeks to build the capacity for agricultural innovation and to make agriculture the continent’s engine for economic growth. FARA works closely with sub-regional organisations (SROs) and national agricultural research and extension systems to ensure effective implementation of CAADP activities. FARA’s mission is to create broad-based improvements in agricultural productivity, competitiveness and markets by supporting Africa’s sub-regional organisations in strengthening capacity for agricultural innovation. FARA’s activities are carried out through its Networking Support
Functions.

Networking Support Function (NSF)-1 is responsible for advocacy and resource mobilization on behalf of the Forum’s stakeholders and coordinates the Secretariat’s lead role in the implementation of CAADP Pillar IV. The unit supports the integration of FAAP principles and the inclusion of Pillar IV issues in agriculture sector investment programmes developed within the CAADP framework as well as assisting with the evolution and reform of national agricultural research systems at sub-regional and national levels. NSF-1 leads the process to promote the awareness of key players in Pillar IV implementation.

FARA is seeking to recruit an Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Officer (ARM Officer) to work within Networking Support Function 1. The successful candidate will assist the Director in performing inter alia, the following duties
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the most recent trends and emerging advocacy and institutional issues that affect African agriculture in general, and the poor and vulnerable food producers and consumers in particular;
• Establish and maintain contact with key African policy analysts, policy makers and CAADP partners.
• Assist other FARA Directors to understand and incorporate appropriate advocacy components in their initiatives and projects
• Work closely with other Networking Support Functions to ensure that each NSF strategy has a practical and appropriate advocacy component relevant to African agricultural development
• Identify relevant organizations, institutions, partners and agencies for the collaboration of policy and advocacy matters with a view to their strengthening and implementation
• Develop progress reports of NSF1
• Develop winning proposals for harmonized investments in African Agricultural research for improved agricultural productivity
• Work with NSF staff, development partners and other external partners to facilitate the flow of information, evaluation and learning for maximum impact;
• In collaboration with the SROs, IARCs, CG Centres and NARS, encourage sharing of information on advocacy and resource mobilization instruments that could be disseminated across the African continent to assist with improved agricultural productivity;
• Assist the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and other Project Leaders of FARA to track progress being made in the adoption and implementation of FAAP principles across the African region for greater productivity impact;
• Assist FARA management in developing and negotiating terms and conditions and Memoranda of Understanding with collaborating partners
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the NSF1 Director and FARA management

Requirements:
The ARM Officer will not have less than 5 years working experience in research, international technology and/or evaluating information. Educational and professional qualifications will include:
• PhD or Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Management, agricultural education and extension or a related field with a minimum of 5 years post graduate experience in information technology research and/or evaluating information and communication capacity in complex organizations and International Organization
• Preferably, training and experience in a mix of evaluation, economics and agriculture.
• Experience in conducting or managing multi-method programme and strategy evaluations desirable.
• Demonstrable quantitative analytic skills and setting strategic priorities for complex research and development organizations in dynamic environments
• Work experience on management of donor funded projects [particularly projects funded by multilateral agencies]
will be an added advantage. Experience of similar assignments is highly preferred.
• Good knowledge of the CAADP processes and its implementation as well as a good understanding of the objectives of Pillar IV.
• Must demonstrate proven knowledge of agricultural development in Africa.
• Excellent knowledge of English with a good working knowledge of French
• Proven track record in working effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel extensively.

Compensation
This is a full-time internationally recruited staff position (categorized as Professional Staff within FARA Secretariat). FARA offers competitive terms of employment.

Applications
Please send (via e-mail) comprehensive curriculum vitae, together with the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers of three referees to:
Dr. Monty P. Jones, Executive Director, FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana; Email: ed@fara-africa.org ;
Fax: +233 21 773676. Applications will be accepted up to 28th January 2010.

For more information about FARA please visit: www.fara-africa.org.

FARA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women.

NB
Please include the position reference code indicated above as part of your subject when forwarding your application