Director, Centre for Excellence for Seed Systems in Africa (CESSA) at Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Job Reference: PID/TD/04/2023

The Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President Program Innovation and Delivery, the ideal candidate will be in-charge of overseeing the day-to-day activities and all CESSA operations. This includes ensuring that the set vision and long-term goals of CESSA as well as the implementation and monitoring the strategy is on track. The Director will be in-charge of all the staff in the 3 CESSA Units, Analysis and Knowledge Resource, Capacity Building and Technical Support and Catalytic Grants and Advisory Services. One of the cardinal objectives of CESSA is to serve as a go to hub for all seed related work and it is the responsibility of the Director to ensure that this is achieved. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the process of delivering CESSA offerings across all the 8-thematic areas.
• Responsible for financial planning, partnerships with key seed sector players, both public and private and the face of CESSA in various local, regional, or international fora.
• Work across Divisions to support new business development, knowledge management and in some instances, project delivery.
• Support AGRA management to mobilize resources to implement CESSA initiatives and AGRA work in general.
• Lead on the donor stewardship (Customer Relationship Management databased), support the facilitation of negotiations and signing of new funding agreements, while assisting in the implementation of AGRA’s Public-Private Partnership resource mobilization strategy.
• Ensure CESSA digital platform is regularly updated, and stakeholders can get information and knowledge tools as expected.
• Ensure that the grant funds, when awarded, are appropriately used for the intended purpose.
• Work with finance to generate reporting required for compliance and financial statement audits.
• Integrate tools to monitor grants for legal, financial, and program compliance including but not limited to ensuring that grant requirements are correctly documented in the grant files and database.
• Maintain regular communication with other AGRA/CESSA professionals to enhance CESSA relevance.
• Lead periodic Program Team staff meetings, including provision of work-related updates to ensure smooth running of program activities.
• Delivers together with and Team the preparation of donor reports, board reports, AGRA annual and quarterly reports.
• Influence partners to value, work with and support CESSA develop and strengthen seed systems in Africa.
• Influence grantees in employing best practices in executing the activities under the grants awarded for meeting the CESSA objectives.
• Align grantee achievements against targets and collaborate with relevant TALs and grantee to identify any consistencies for the grants.
• Champion integration of CESSA with other AGRA bodies of work and various AGRA funded projects.
• Motivate the team for solving problems around complex grant scenarios through consultations/liaison with finance and legal entities.
• Direct seamless delivery of CESSA offering to the intended beneficiaries.
• Lead annual planning process and development of CESSA budgets, workplans to ensure they are aligned with AGRA’s strategy.
• Assess, monitor, and document the grantmaking workflow processes, templates, reports and data to assure full compliance with internal controls and legal requirements.

Relevant Experience & Professional Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience of international development with demonstrable track record of working with donors.
• PhD or master’s degree in Agricultural sciences, Business Administration, Economics, or any other relevant field.
• Professional qualifications in relevant field(s), that enhances proficiency in analytical research, communication, leadership, and strategic planning or execution.
• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in international development leading strategic planning, corporate bottom-line performance management, and resource allocation and accountability decision-making. 
• At least 7 years of experience in a senior leadership role.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills and the ability to formulate recommendations and improve team dynamics.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills including tact, patience, and acumen and the ability to work with many, diverse individuals, and groups across various functions.
• Skill in management and leadership with the ability to direct programs, staff, and cross-functional teams in an efficient and effective manner.
• The ability to maintain effective and harmonious relations with the organization’s stakeholders.
• The ability to work effectively under pressure, handle multiple priorities, tasks, demands and time- sensitive pressurized situations.