Nairobi, Kenya – Job Reference: ILO/PID/05/2022

(READVERTISEMENT)

Role Summary: 

The position is part of the SeedSAT team within CESSA and reports to the Program Manager, SeedSAT.  The individual in this position will serve as the key liaison between SeedSAT/CESSA and the partners essential for implementing the SeedSAT recommendations jointly agreed by AGRA and key national stakeholders, primarily government but also including other stakeholder groups (such as seed trade associations and apex farmer groups) and development partners.  The key rationale for strong government liaison from the outset is recognition that permanent systemic change in seed systems requires government buy-in and ongoing support for the proposed changes.  A highly functional liaison will be key to achieving this.

Internally, the position will coordinate closely with technical specialists for the eight technical SeedSAT thematic areas within CESSA to implement recommended solutions.  These thematic areas are: Breeding, Variety Release and Maintenance; Early Generation Seed; Quality Commercial Seed Production; Farmer Awareness and Participation; Seed Marketing and Distribution; Policy, Legal and Regulatory; Quality Assurance; and National Planning and Coordination.

The position will entail over 75% travel to countries implementing SeedSAT recommendations, ultimately anticipated to include all AGRA focus countries.  

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• As required by the SeedSAT Project Manager, serve as the liaison person for non-government technical and/or development partners.
• Serve as the key point of contact for implementation of SeedSAT recommendations at a national level with designated government institutions and selected other permanent actor stakeholders.
• Serve as a key implementation conduit with both CESSA technical specialists and AGRA Country Teams, working jointly with them to ensure timely and effective implementation of SeedSAT recommendations leading to positive systemic change benefiting farmers.
• Develop strong working relationships with the key government individuals and institutions responsible for overseeing and strengthening national seed systems with the goal of jointly bringing about increased effectiveness (in terms of quantity, quality and varietal upgrading) and efficiency (in terms of cost and timeliness) of pluralistic national seed systems, aligned with best seed system practices.
• Build effective implementation partnerships with national government partners, with a focus on concrete and timely implementation of SeedSAT recommendations jointly selected for implementation by both AGRA and government and private sector partners.
• Maintain strong knowledge of status of all SeedSAT implementation efforts and when government or other partners are responsible for bottlenecks or slowdowns, work to quickly resolve the issues and advance the work.
• Working with the AGRA country teams and the full SeedSAT team, construct and maintain complete lists of critical resource persons, decision makers, and key individuals for implementation support.
• Develop a clear, easily communicated, tracking mechanism for national government collaboration responsibilities, status, and accomplishments related to implementation of funded SeedSAT recommendations.
• Prepare all materials required for AGRA updates, budgeting, communications, strategic planning, and other relevant purposes.

Academic, Professional Qualifications and Relevant experience:

• Minimum of a Masters’ Degree in an Agriculture-related field, Agricultural Economics, and or business paired with relevant experience in Agriculture.
• Minimum ten years liaison work with government institutions involved in Agriculture.
• Strong general knowledge of seed systems, including best practices for effective and functional seed systems supporting farmers.
• Ability to generally, but accurately, understand and communicate about a wide variety of technical seed issues.
• Proven ability to manage and successfully advance a multi-faceted, multi-country set of responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including communication with government leaders and other high-level stakeholders.
• Able to work independently and in a team environment.
• Able to prioritize responsibilities and adhere to deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills – fluency in English is a must.
• Fluency in French will be an added advantage.

If you believe you are the right candidate for this position, kindly submit your application with a detailed CV (including your e-mail address and telephone contacts to [email protected] noting to quote the job reference number in the subject of your email)