The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a highly skilled,
results-oriented Project Manager to provide overall leadership and management
for the implementation of VISTA Malawi’s project. CIP seeks diversity and
gender balance in its staff. Women and citizens of developing c
ountries are
particularly urged to apply.
The Center
CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural
research for development with a focus on potatoes, sweetpotatoes, and Andean
roots and tubers. Its vision is to emphasize the use of roots and tubers to
improve the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security,
improved well-being, and gender equality for poor people in root and tuber
farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP is headquartered in Lima,
Peru with staff and activities over 30 locations across Africa, Asia, and Latin
America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a network of 15 research
centers that are mostly located in the developing world and supported by more
than 50 donor members.
research for development with a focus on potatoes, sweetpotatoes, and Andean
roots and tubers. Its vision is to emphasize the use of roots and tubers to
improve the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security,
improved well-being, and gender equality for poor people in root and tuber
farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP is headquartered in Lima,
Peru with staff and activities over 30 locations across Africa, Asia, and Latin
America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a network of 15 research
centers that are mostly located in the developing world and supported by more
than 50 donor members.
The Project
CIP is implementing the VISTA (Viable Sweetpotato
Technologies in Africa) program to scale up the production and utilization of
biofortified, nutritious orange sweetpotato in several African countries. With
support from USAID/Feed the Future, VISTA Malawi aims to improve diet diversity
and food security and enhance farm productivity and resilience among 50,000
smallholder households in seven districts in Central Malawi through integrated
agriculture-nutrition interventions, and to reach a further 300,000 households
with sweetpotato planting material. VISTA is specifically targeted at
households with children under 5 years of age that are vulnerable to
undernutrition, in particular vitamin A deficiency. The project is implemented
in partnership with the Government of Malawi, NGOs and private sector partners
and emphasizes capacity strengthening and monitoring and learning across these
partnerships. VISTA Malawi is implemented as part of a consortium of
agricultural research and development projects by four CGIAR Centers. The
project is closely aligned to the objectives and monitoring processes of the
Feed the Future program in Malawi.
Technologies in Africa) program to scale up the production and utilization of
biofortified, nutritious orange sweetpotato in several African countries. With
support from USAID/Feed the Future, VISTA Malawi aims to improve diet diversity
and food security and enhance farm productivity and resilience among 50,000
smallholder households in seven districts in Central Malawi through integrated
agriculture-nutrition interventions, and to reach a further 300,000 households
with sweetpotato planting material. VISTA is specifically targeted at
households with children under 5 years of age that are vulnerable to
undernutrition, in particular vitamin A deficiency. The project is implemented
in partnership with the Government of Malawi, NGOs and private sector partners
and emphasizes capacity strengthening and monitoring and learning across these
partnerships. VISTA Malawi is implemented as part of a consortium of
agricultural research and development projects by four CGIAR Centers. The
project is closely aligned to the objectives and monitoring processes of the
Feed the Future program in Malawi.
The Position: The Project Manager will report to the
CIP Country Manager Malawi and to the CIP Sweetpotato Leader and will be based
in Lilongwe.
CIP Country Manager Malawi and to the CIP Sweetpotato Leader and will be based
in Lilongwe.
Duties and Responsibilities
Project Implementation
- Provide management, leadership and strategic
vision in all aspects of project implementation. - Ensure that project implementation is responsive
to communities and partners and aligned with CIP principles, values and
strategic plan. Monitor adherence to grant agreement, CIP policies and
procedures and relevant external rules and regulations including the CGIAR
Consortium. Select, oversee and advise performance of partners and
sub-grantees. - Lead the reporting requirement of technical and
financial progress and annual reports.
Coordination and Representation:
- Represent the project vis-à-vis USAID, the CGIAR
implementing consortium, Government of Malawi, NGOs, and private sector
partners. - Work closely with the CGIAR consortium for
harmonized planning and integrated reporting. - Build and manage strong and productive
partnerships with GoM and implementing partners and facilitate learning
and knowledge exchange across the entire project partnership. - Participate in regular review meetings with USAID
and ensure that the project is well understood and highly regarded by the
donor and all project partners.
Reporting and Communications:
- As responsible manager for all technical and
financial reporting to the donor, ensure timeliness, quality, and
responsiveness to donor requests in all areas of reporting. - Work with relevant units at CIP Malawi and in
regional and global CIP offices to obtain technical and administrative
support as required. In particular, ensure that monitoring of project
indicators is timely and of excellent quality to support reporting and
adaptive management. - Promote the project with stakeholders, the donor
community, and the general public in Malawi through sound and innovative
communications.
Staff Management, Professional Development and Team
Building:
Building:
- Create a work atmosphere conducive to
professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels. - Promote accountability by conducting staff annual
performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that all staff
members are effectively using the performance planning and management
system. - Contribute to project team-building efforts, and
ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making
processes.
Project Support Operations:
- Coordinate with M&E, finance and
administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support
field activities including logistics, procurement, security,
administration and human resources. - In coordination with the CIP Country Manager,
propose and design new local operational policies as needed and in
accordance with donor and CIP regulations.
Gender:
The Project Leader is expected to take a leadership
role in the mainstreaming of gender sensitive project interventions, through
support and promotion of gender throughout all areas of the project.
role in the mainstreaming of gender sensitive project interventions, through
support and promotion of gender throughout all areas of the project.
Selection Criteria:
- Masters level degree in relevant discipline such
as agriculture, economics, social sciences, nutrition, or marketing.
Specific training related to sweetpotato, nutrition, or gender is an added
advantage. - Strong experience of at least 10 years as a
field-based project manager, with at least 5 years working as a Project
Leader on large-scale agricultural development projects, preferably in
sub-Saharan Africa. - Direct experience working on large USAID funded
interventions, preferably focused in agriculture. Specific experience of
Feed the Future is an advantage. - Experience in developing agricultural markets and
value chains. - Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate
international and local staff into a cohesive team. - Demonstrated awareness and responsiveness to
gender and social issues in cross-cultural and gender integration
programming. - Strong experience with communication technologies
as research and development tools. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills
in English are required. - Record of publications and citations.
- Willingness to travel frequently and work under
field conditions.
Conditions
Employment contract will be for an initial three-year
term (with a three month probation period) with possibility of renewal, subject
to availability of funding. Salary will be internationally competitive, paid in
US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP prides itself on its
collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal
and professional growth.
term (with a three month probation period) with possibility of renewal, subject
to availability of funding. Salary will be internationally competitive, paid in
US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP prides itself on its
collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal
and professional growth.
Applications
Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover
letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names
and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s
professional qualifications and work experience to cip-recruitment@cgiar.org.
The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line
of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on 29 October 2014
and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be
acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted. Learn
more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cip.staging.wpengine.com.
letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names
and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s
professional qualifications and work experience to cip-recruitment@cgiar.org.
The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line
of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on 29 October 2014
and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be
acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted. Learn
more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cip.staging.wpengine.com.
