IRS22151 Project Leader at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Specific duties:

Technical Focus

• Oversee the implementation of the project and ensure that CIMMYT procedures are adhered to.
• Develop the strategic direction of the project including conceptual frameworks and communication strategies in line with the principles of sustainable agrifood systems development.
• Ensure effective coordination put in place for effective project management, through the Technical and Management Steering Committees.
• Liaise with the donor to ensure adequate communication, coordination with other projects, timely progress reporting and fund disbursements.
• Develop partnerships with relevant actors including national and local authorities as well as implementing partners.
• Support the resource mobilization strategy of CIMMYT by producing knowledge management and materials on project achievements that can be shared with resource partners, government, and other key stakeholders.

Specific Functions

• Review the project budgets and prepare a procurement plan for the project in close collaboration with the relevant CIMMYT administration staff, including overseeing expenditure and staffing plans.
• Prepare quarterly and semi-annual project progress reports, review and monitor the outputs and results of the project against agreed work plans and to identify constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions.
• Work with the relevant scientific and administrative staff and collaborating partners to ensure high quality programming with periodic adjustments for improving the performance of interventions based on M&E findings and lessons learned.
• Prepare detailed project annual work plan in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and make necessary arrangements for the successful implementation of the work plan in a timely manner.
• Oversee designing and implementation of capacity development training programme that will assist in achieving project results.
• Oversee the development of manuals, guidelines, and checklists for documenting, institutionalizing, and sustaining the outputs and results of the project.
• Ensure coherence, synergies, and complementarities of the project with other USAID funded projects, and with IFDC, WFP, IFAD, and UNDP projects operating within the same geographic locations.
• Identify opportunities for CIMMYT to expand its portfolio in the area of sustainable agriculture in particular increasing agricultural production, livelihood diversification and NRM.
• Oversee cost benefit analysis of various key deliverables.
• Ensure that project interventions consider goals around inclusive development, including gender differentiated needs of beneficiaries and accountability to affected populations commitments, working with gender scientists as needed.
• Prepare the project terminal report in accordance with the USAID requirements.
• Supervise the recruitment, appraise the performance, and provide guidance to the project staff.
• Supervise the implementation of the project activities and outputs.
• Supervise conducting of project reviews, assessments, and studies.
• Monitor letters of agreement signed with partner organizations.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture/agronomy/rural economy/rural development or related field, with post-graduate qualifications preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in management of complex projects on sustainable agriculture, livelihood diversification, and natural resources management, preferably in fragile or conflict affected states.
• Demonstrated experience in sustainable agriculture and livelihoods resilience programming.
• Relevant work experience in complex environments, and protracted crises.
• Demonstrated ability to liaise and build partnerships with UN, NGO, and government institutions.
• Thorough understanding of project cycle management, donor reporting requirements and managing donor relations.
• Experience in management of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Have a high degree of integrity and accountability.
• Relevant prior experience of managing USAID funded projects.
• Excellent communication skills, including high level fora and media, as well as writing and presentation skills in English. Conversant with Arabic a plus.
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural, politically sensitive environment, such as in a CGIAR, UN, or international NGO organization, working with bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Willingness to travel frequently, both internationally as well as to rural Sudan.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Negotiation and conflict resolution, Team Leadership, Teamwork, Creative and Critical Thinking and Communication.