Program Manager, Seeds Systems and Partnerships at Syngenta

Description

Role Purpose
In pursuit of SFSA’s vision for a better future for smallholder farming:

• Develop and communicate robust financial management reporting in support of Seeds stream decision-making
• Institutionalize project management industry standards, methodology, tools and improved ways of working across the global Seeds stream, in line with agreed priorities

Accountabilities

• Prepare and lead financial management reporting for the global Seeds stream budget and externally funded projects, providing recommendations for issues and options
• Develop analyses/reports/insights which drive the ‘business’ decisions for multiple projects and the stream
• Oversee the implementation of those decisions / new processes and train where needed
• Identify potential risks with fact-based financial advice and provide recommendations for risk mitigation
• Develop cost applications for new proposals to increase external funding to SFSA and initiatives it supports
• Provide counsel and support to senior management to improve processes proactively, e.g. on data flow, financial processes, project management and ways of working to increase efficiency across SFSA

Complexity

• An externally funded project typically involves regular budget realignments across 4-5 SFSA entities, and the management of several subgrantees and consultants
• Personal engagement with key decision makers of funders like USAID (e.g. negotiate project budgets / realignments and meet donor specific reporting requirements)
• Personal engagement with external partners in Africa, Asia and the US to strengthen relationships and ensure successful implementation and management of costs
• Direct influence on project idea creation and direction
• Key internal interactions with Head Finance, Legal Counsel, Head Communications, Head Partnerships, Stream Leads, and Country Directors

Qualifications

Experience required:

• Over 5 years’ experience in a commercial organization and/or the non-profit sector operating in international environments, including business planning; experience with SFSA is an advantage
• The ability to forge strong working relationships with a wide range of public and private partners across the globe to deliver plans for scaling up SFSA business models
• The ability to influence and work through “virtual” teams, often at great distances
• The ability to thrive in a demanding and rapidly changing development environment and master the additional challenges of working in emerging markets
• The ability to demonstrate effective communications and external relations skills
• The ability to work highly independently
• Ability to communicate financial information to a non-financial audience

Minimum education and critical knowledge

• The position demands a Degree and Masters-level knowledge of business planning, strategic value chain analysis and/or management in the context of emerging economies
• Strong project management skills, including proficient knowledge of the PM tool (Smartsheet)
• Excellent English, written and spoken and a good working knowledge of at least one other language of major relevance in agricultural development and cooperation, particularly in SFSA’s spheres of cooperation
• Strong communication skills; knowledge of how to facilitate results across cultures, often in “virtual” teams
• A talent for business planning, and a strong desire to develop this further

Experience To Be Gained

• Further develop leadership and project management skills
• Ability to adapt to donor specific reporting standards
• Enhance negotiation skills for both internal and external effectiveness
• Experience in presenting externally funded project results to Steering Committees consisting of key decision-makers at partner organizations (funders, implementers, policy makers, private sector, etc.)