Latest Jobs at Alliance For A Green Revolution In Africa (AGRA)

Job Reference: HAPA/PSC/09/2020

To support this objective, AGRA is seeking to recruit the role of Head, Hub for Agricultural Policy Action (HAPA).

This role will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with frequent travel (local and international) to engage with AGRA teams and government units.

Role Summary

The Head of HAPA will be responsible for the overall leadership of the Hub, reporting directly to the Vice-President, Policy and State Capability. They will be considered a leading expert resource on the management of agriculture policy in Africa and will be expected to lead innovation on provision of evidence-based policy to African governments.

The Head of HAPA will be able to authoritatively and accurately articulate economic and social analysis, providing conceptual and operational clarity. They will have the ability to translate and communicate complex analysis simply and with political relevance. The Head of HAPA must possess an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset. Alongside this they should have a good grasp of technical and economic aspects, exceptional managerial skills, and experience engaging with senior public officials, collaborating and strengthening partnerships with other stakeholders in the policy space.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leading the recruitment to build the HAPA team, including policy project managers and analysts, as well as operational staff.
• Setting organizational strategy, building impact driven relationships across select priority countries.
• Leading the development, structuring and occasional implementation of strategic partnerships in collaboration with the resource mobilization team, technical teams and in-country teams.
• Guiding the identification, mapping and collaboration with the highest quality institutional sources of data and evidence in Africa.
• Sourcing, validating and prioritising incoming government demands through a collaborative, consultative process.
• Driving the building of the pipeline of work for HAPA.
• Conducting research as needed to inform and shape the effort(s) within policy consolidation and translation, and best practices.
• Designing and iterating a policy engagement plan with the range of leading actors in data and evidence generation, selection, analysis.
• Innovating and synergising new models for engagement.
• Working closely with the respective AGRA Country Manager and the Policy and State Capability Team to add value from a consolidation and translation perspective to existing policy implementation efforts and ensure the delivery of an integrated policy support package to governments.
• Shaping the delivery of the best set of policy options in line with the government request for support.

Academic, Professional Qualifications and Relevant Experience:

• Over 10 years’ work experience in agricultural economic policy design, implementation and management working with government, development partners or other such institutions.
• A PhD or Masters degree in economics, economic studies or related fields.
• Strong quantitative/financial knowledge, including experience working with complex economic models.
• Established relationships with key national, regional and international partners working on state capability and policy development.
• Experience in developing and managing strong partnerships and relationships inside and outside the organization, managing conflicts, and building consensus.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrable ability to engage government, development partners and private sector.
• Superior delivery and leadership capacity, with the ability to synthesize strategic intent into tangible deliverables that drive institutional progress.
• Strong understanding of Africa’s policy and political landscape as it relates to governance, policy and trade.
• Experience in policy research and analysis, project management, and Monitoring & Evaluation.
• Good command of English, fluency in French will be an advantage.

An attractive remuneration package commensurate with this position’s responsibility will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

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Job Reference: RCSFM/PID/09/2020

To support this objective, AGRA is seeking to recruit the role of Head of Resilience, Climate and Soil Fertility Management.

This role will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with frequent travel.

Role Summary

The Head of Resilience, Climate and Soil Fertility Management will be responsible for identifying and implementing high priority transformational ability to address institutional and systemic challenges around Resilience systems, climate change and soil fertility and fertilizer systems. S/he will also be in-charge of supporting AGRA mainstream climate change adaptation into its projects and programs through providing strategic advice to projects and programs on building resilience and adapting to climate change; developing frameworks, strategies and tools; providing training; developing and disseminating learning including through case studies. 

The Head Resilience, Climate and Soil Fertility Management will manage any soil related implemented projects, directing the work of the Soil fertility and fertilizer systems development knowledge centers as well as facilitating support to AGRA’s agricultural commercialization activities as pertains to issues of soil fertility and fertilizer systems. Will work with all AGRA Divisions, governments and partners to develop resilient technologies, practices and mechanisms that can withstand shocks and stresses like pests, diseases, drought, frost, floods, price volatility and civil strife impacting agricultural transformation. Will work closely with local and international environmental organizations including meteorological institutions for their support to use the climate lens in resilience and to protect environment.

This position reports to the AGRA Deputy Vice President Program Innovation & Delivery -Technical and works closely with AGRA leadership and other Program Officers to develop partnerships with national and international organizations to expand and scale-up successful programs across Africa and to manage their performance. The Head Resilience, Climate and Soil Fertility Management is a member of the staff Management Committee.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead in the development of strong and convincing Resilience, climate and soil fertility systems management policies procedures and strategies and manages implementation.
• Leads in the creation and delivery of Resilience, Climate & Soil fertility systems strategies and programs to achieve AGRA’s overall goal and mission for agricultural transformation in Africa.
• Drive the implementation of grants strategies to soil fertility and fertilizer systems, climate and resilience that could be brought to scale, and do so in ways that leverage public and private investments.
• Lead and acts as a scout and tests new technologies.
• Act as the main focal point in AGRA for providing adaptation advice to field-based projects and programs.
• Oversee and support the development of best practice in climate change adaptation for the mainstreaming of climate adaptation into AGRA programs and the dissemination to staff.
• Ensure that AGRA activities on adaptation contain lesson-learning and evaluation.
• Support the development of funding opportunities for AGRA’s climate change adaptation work as part of a wider climate change fundraising program.
• Contribute to AGRA’s internal reporting, supporter enquiries, communications and fundraising activities.
• Ensure relevant evidence from projects and programs is integrated into AGRA’s policies, and strategic planning.
• Advise on the design and implementation of the soil fertility, fertilizer and climate change components of AGRA’s partnership with key donors, specifically ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation indicators are fully embedded.
• Network to develop and share latest thinking on adaptation practice, frameworks, strategies and tools.
• Monitor and disseminate emerging best practice on soil fertility, fertilizer and climate change adaptation strategies, planning and practice and, relevant scientific research developments, particularly as they affect or address biodiversity, ecosystems and vulnerable people and their livelihoods in key ecoregions.
• Commission research and publish reports, in consultation with other AGRA colleagues, on adaptation frameworks, strategies and tools.
• Build relationships with environmental and development NGOs, donors and the scientific community and colleagues within AGRA.
• Communicate results through written and verbal communication.
• Directs and provides coaching to relevant technical and administrative staff.
• Directs all AGRA’s soil, fertilize, climate change adaption & resilience projects and programs, assuming overall responsibility for the direction and management of the programs and projects under it and mobilizing needed financial, human or organizational resources for program execution.
• Set standards for technical and operational excellence in the execution of AGRA Initiatives, with a focus on resilience.
• Plans and manages the Program’s budget; obtains approvals from senior level management and monitors budget utilization against allocation.
• Regularly reports to the VP Program Development & Innovation, and to the President on progress, challenges and constraints of the program team activities.

Academic, Professional Qualifications and Relevant Experience

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in agricultural development in Africa, with a focus on soil fertility, fertilizer systems, climate and resilience
• Ph.D. with emphasis in soil science or advanced degree in natural resources, climatology, environmental studies or related discipline with a sound background in biodiversity or climate change.
• Broad understanding of the various aspects of climate change adaptation, particularly frameworks, strategies and tools for implementation.
• At least 10 years’ field-related project and program experience with proven skills in their design, management, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.
• Demonstrable understanding of climate change and conservation challenges in developing countries, with the ability to recognize and work with local and national level priorities to identify linkages between policy and practice.
• Demonstrable ability to understand complex scientific issues and to communicate and apply them at project and program level.
• Excellent presentation, communication and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrable experience of an ability to integrate new and challenging issues into existing areas of work, including through educating, supporting and facilitating others.
• Experience in climate change adaptation practice would be welcome, for example managing risk and uncertainty, supporting organizational change, developing community- based adaptation, or integrating climate change issues into the design, monitoring and evaluation of conservation and/or development projects and programs
• Proven ability to work as part of a team, and as part of a wider network, is essential.
• Fluency in English required; ability to communicate in French will be considered an advantage

An attractive remuneration package commensurate with this position’s responsibility will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

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Job Reference: FOA/OPS/09/2020

To support the successful delivery from a country perspective, AGRA is seeking to recruit an experienced and exceptional individual to the role of Finance Officer, Financial Accounting.

The roles will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Role Summary

The Finance Officer – Financial Accounting is responsible for providing financial accounting support to the Financial Controller and other finance team leaders. The person will be responsible for preparing, auditing, and analyzing the financial statements of AGRA, making recommendations to the organisation on best practices and strategic financial decisions, and ensuring that his/her team adheres to requirements on tax, accounting standards, turn-around times, book closure, accuracy of information, documents filings and other financial reporting expectations. S/he supports financial decision-making information by collecting, analyzing, investigating, and reporting financial data.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure supplier invoices, staff claims and grants are received via the designated channels; check for completeness and accuracy by ensure all necessary support documents are attached.
• Code, analyze, input accurately in the system and circulate for approval.
• Analyzes and ensures accuracy of payment vouchers in Oracle
• Analyzes and reconciles staff school fees and benefits accounts on a monthly basis. Follows-up outstanding balances
• Analyzes the Intercompany transactions to make sure the balances are aligned with counterpart balances. Clearing accounts should be closed with nil balances on a monthly basis
• Analyzes and approves grants journals – both commitments and disbursements
• Creates special reports by studying variances; supports in the preparing budgets and developing forecasts. Supports in providing variances analysis against actual.
• Ensure reconciliation of AMIS with ERP ledger balance on a monthly basis and drawing up an action plan for any differences identified.
• Regular review of exceptional transactions to ensure adequate explanations are provided and any corrective measures put in place at the earliest opportunity.
• Advises on institutional audit support on an annual basis or as and when required
• Aligns all allocated balances sheet reconciliations as per requirements-e.g. Payables ledger and FAR vs General ledger. Ensures any reconciling items are tracked and addressed on a monthly basis.
• Expands own job knowledge by keeping current with financial regulations and accepted practices; participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations
• Supervision and motivation of staff working under the role
• Acquires, summarizes and interprets data in order to respond to financial inquiries as required.
• Monthly book closure by 8th
• Maintenance of agreed turnaround times (TATs) for payment of suppliers, grantees and staff benefits and refunds. Ensure relevant reports are circulated on a weekly basis.
• Leads in annual physical verification of assets. Ensures any variances with the assets register are adjusted on a timely basis
• Liaison with Procurement to ensure that purchase orders are tracked and that open ones are justified.
• Working with treasury head to ensure there is visibility of upcoming payments in respective currencies and ensure that the relevant bank account is funded to accommodate the same.
• Championing utilisation of the ERP and other automation tools
• Plans, prepares and posts journals and manages the payables process

Academic, Professional Qualifications and Relevant experience

• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in accounting, finance, or financial monitoring.
• Knowledge of global, country/government accounting standards.
• A Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• Accounting certification (CPA, ACCA, CIMA,CA)
• Strong analytical, data mining ability.
• Knowledge of basic accounting procedures.
• In-depth understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Familiarity with financial accounting statements.
• Experience with general ledger functions and the month-end/year-end close process.
• Hands-on experience with accounting software packages/ERP, like Oracle, SAP, Navision
• Excellent proficiency in spreadsheets (Excel).
• Experience in working with similar organizations or institutions will be an added advantage.
• Experience in working with Finance regulations and reporting standards and requirements.
• Evidence of the practice of a high level of confidentiality.
• Influencing skills and ability to lead a small team.
• Highly organized, results and detail orientated with a hands-on approach.
• Excellent planning and organizing as well as problem solving/decision making ability.

An attractive remuneration package commensurate with this position’s responsibility will be negotiated with the successful candidate.