Program Manager - BecA-ILRI Hub at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Job description

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Program Managers to provide leadership in the management of BecA-ILRI Hub and ensure that the goals and objectives of the program are met. S/he will work closely with the director for BecA-ILRI Hub in managing the program.
ILRI manages the BecA-ILRI Hub, a shared research and biosciences platform. BecA-ILRI Hub is an initiative developed within the framework of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/African Union African Biosciences Initiative. It consists of a Hub based on the ILRI campus in Nairobi, Kenya and a network of regional nodes and other affiliated laboratories and organizations throughout the region. The BecA-ILRI Hub is a modern, state of the art biosciences facility, a suite of shared platforms established for research, capacity building and research related services in support of African and international agricultural scientists. The BecA-ILRI Hub facilities are world class, with a range of advanced molecular biology, immunology, diagnostics, genomics laboratories and bioinformatics platform all equipped with an up-to-date suite of specialized bioscience equipment (e.g. Illumina MiSeq sequencer, ultra high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and specialized facilities (e.g. Biosafety level 3 laboratory, plant growth facilities). The Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments in science offer promise to address previously intractable problems constraining Africa’s development. Capacity building is a major goal of all activities. The scope covers agriculture and food security and their intersections with human health and nutrition, and the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources. http://hub.africabiosciences.org/

Key Responsibilities

• Program Management
• Work with the Program Leader to develop and implement the program level strategy and continually review as required
  Support development of a multi-year operational plan and monitor its implementation
  Monitor and collate program outputs and outcomes
  Develop multi-year program budgets, including ensuring consistency across programs
  Effectively manage the program budget, ensuring proper allocation of expenditure, monitoring expenditures and highlighting any variances, and providing suggestions for corrective action to Project Leaders and Project Managers, including working Finance for resolution
  Lead the program management and administrative team (which could include Assistant Program Managers, Assistant Project Managers, Program Accountants, Communications Staff, Administrative Assistants, Office Assistants) and build their capacity on ILRI Program Management Framework to enhance their performance
  Work closely with the Program Leader and the People and Organizational Development Directorate to determine the staffing needs for the program and other HR matters
  Review requests for recruiting staff and consultants prior to approval and follow up with P&OD for execution
  Liaise with the Finance Unit on budget and financial matters
  Ensure the implementation of the institute’s Program Management Framework across the program and contribute to its continued development
• Proposal Development
• Coordinate and participate in the development of concept notes and/or proposal components including completing the relevant documentation on risk assessment, project budget and project work plan, drafting agreements
  Support the Program Leader/Project Leader to undertake due diligence activities related to suitability and capability of Program partners/subcontracted such as identifying the resource skills of ILRI team, checking past experience with the partner, compliance with ILRI and donor guidelines, ensuring the strategy and plans align with PMF
  Manage the program opportunity pipeline to ensure timely delivery, compliance and adherence to the Program Management Framework process
• Project Planning
• Assess and plan future procurement needs and work with Supply Chain to create a detailed procurement plan
  Liaise with the legal unit to draft partner and donor agreements and incorporate the necessary changes
  Work with the project leader/project manager in the development of an exit strategy/sustainability plan for all projects
  Work closely with the project leaders/project managers to define research compliance requirements, undertake risk assessment and contribute to the development of mitigation strategies
  Lead the development of project work plans by assessing alignment, establishing timelines and obtaining the necessary approvals
  Work with the Communication Knowledge Management team to develop the communication plan, monitor and guide the communications outputs from the program to ensure their relevance and appropriateness
• Project Execution
• Maintain effective working relationships with partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders and facilitate effective flow of information between all partners, team members and relevant stakeholders in program activities
  Work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists to ensure program level monitoring, data analysis and reporting to support effective program management
  Oversee Program reporting, identify any concern areas and recommend solutions
  Ensure that CGIAR and ILRI policies relating to IP, Open Access, P&OD and others are being followed at the Program level
• Project Closing
• Oversee the closure activities for the projects which includes the disposal of physical assets, research materials and staff separation/ reassignment, archiving of documentation, impact assessment in line with the PMF process
  Work with the Project Leader and Communications Staff to ensure knowledge dissemination and capacity development to all relevant stakeholders by mobilizing participation from as many project stakeholders as possible, including project team members, partners, donors, and other key stakeholders
• Project Management
• The Program manager will be expected to act as the Project Manager (as need arises) for a number of projects, depending on the size and complexity of the program

Requirements

• Masters/ Advanced Degree in Business Management, Business Administration or related field
• Program Management Certification
• At least 7 years’ program management experience with 3 years' at managerial level
• Excellent managerial and multitasking skills,
• The ability to plan effectively and manage risks
• Stakeholder engagement skills,
• Effective negotiation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Proven experience in coordinating global projects with numerous partners
• Experience in development and implementation of projects
• Advanced technical reporting skills
• Excellent people management skills in a multicultural setting

Terms of Appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position; based at Nairobi, Kenya and open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Job Level

This position is job level 4A, ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes; pension, medical and other insurances for ILRI’s Nationally Recruited Staff.