Direcctor African Seed Trade Association Job in Nairobi Kenya

Vacancy Announcement

ASIESA Project Director with African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA)

About AFSTA

AFSTA is a continent-wide umbrella body representing the private seed industry. AFSTA was formally established on March, 2000, during an inaugural congress in South Africa where Kenya was elected as host country for the Secretariat.

The African Seed Trade Association arose out of a need to have a regional representative body for the seed industry, which could also serve to promote the development of private seed enterprises. AFSTA now has a diplomatic status.

About Alliance for the Seed Industry in Eastern and Central Africa (ASIESA)

In response to the challenges above, AFSTA and COMESA teamed up in 2010 to create the Alliance for the Seed Industry in Eastern and Southern Africa (ASIESA).

This is a public-private partnership whose goal is to create a reliable source of improved quality seeds the region by addressing the constraints facing the supply of certified seeds to farmers.

Phase one of ASIESA is being implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar through their National Seed Trade Associations (NSTAs).

Funding

The ASIESA is a multi-donor seed project with initial funding provided by USAID. It is expected that more development partners would join ASIESA to make it a success.

ASIESA Project Director Role

The ASIESA Project Director has overall responsibility for the implementation, leadership and management of ASIESA and ensures successful achievement and communication of key objectives, goals and milestones.

The Director reports to the AFSTA Secretary General and ASIESA Steering Team, and is ultimately accountable to the AFSTA Board.

Main Tasks and Duties

• Responsible for overall implementation, leadership and management of the ASIESA Project.
• Ensure successful achievement and communication of Project objectives, goals and milestones.
• Ensure all the 40 Key Milestones for the ASIESA project are delivered and communicated well, both at a regional as well as national level, for all the 8 countries.
• Ensure timely management and disbursement of project funds; Holds fiduciary accountability for use of project funds.
• Recruitment and Management of project staff, monitor and evaluate performance; ensure staff are motivated and developed / ensure staff grievances are handled well and resolve staff conflicts professionally.
• Provide project reports and feedback on project progress.
• Represent ASIESA in various private and public forums or as delegated by the Secretary General.
• Serve as Secretary to the ASIESA Advisory Team.
• Manage relationships with key project stakeholders and collaborating partners, including the National Seed Trade Associations.
• Ensure the smooth and efficient organization and management of the Secretariat as well as the human, financial and physical assets and resources
• Make priority decisions relating to project funding.
• Understand the nuances of each project subcomponent and be able to answer to the different donors on the diverse sub components.
• Prepare ASIESA’s Annual Plan of Work and Budget and Financial Statements for approval by the AFSTA Board.
• Organize, plan and manage all meetings organized by ASIESA.
• Perform any related duties as may be assigned by the Secretary General and ASIESA Advisory Team, for achievement of the project goals and objectives.

Mandatory Competencies and Qualifications:

The successful candidate must be an African citizen from any one of the COMESA countries. Candidates from the eight ASIESA Project countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar) are encouraged to apply.

Career Background / Operational Experience:

• A commendable career with 10+ years experience in African agri-business and specifically within the Seed Sector in COMESA region.
• At least 5+ years experience in managing complex seed related donor projects in Africa, COMESA region.
• Public sector or Non-profit sector experience an advantage.
• Capable of facilitating discussions and participating in debates on highly variable topics, relating to agricultural and seed development ;
• Possess strong skills in the management of human and financial resources, organizational change and knowledge management;
• Possess strong experience in financial resource mobilization;
• An excellent communicator with an accomplished public speaking record within the agricultural and seed sectors.
• Able to maintain the diversified and multi-stakeholder partnerships;
• Capable of travelling extensively.

Academic Background

• At least Masters degree in Agricultural Science, Agronomy or other related fields.
• A Bachelors degree in the same fields will be considered if supported by ample experience)
• Qualifications in Project Management
• Qualifications in Financial Management.
• Good Computer skills (MS Office / Internet).

Other Requirements

• Ability to work in a multi disciplinary team to achieve common goals in a challenging environment.
• Hands-on approach to management; strong team management skills; bottom-up approach to management.
• Strong follow-up ability.
• Excellent Interpersonal skills; Diplomacy skills; ability to manage complex relationships.
• Fluency in spoken and written English;
• Resourceful; passionate about their work.
• Respectful of all working relationships; not bossy.
• Basic working knowledge of French and Portuguese is an added advantage.

Terms and Conditions

The Project Director shall be based in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Headquarters of the Association is located. The Project Director is recruited with a five (2) -year mandate with a high potential for extension based on a successful performance assessment.

The Remuneration is based on the internationally competitive and attractive salary scale of AFSTA

Application

Expressions of Interest with a full CV and supporting statement, highlighting your experience and skills against the requirements of the role should be submit to Ms. Susan Waweru, Director, SRI Executive Search, Nairobi, Kenya.

Email: swaweru@sri-executive.com

SRI Executive have been retained by AFSTA to manage both internal and external applications for this prestigious role.

The closing date for applications is 30 April 2012