The International Potato Center
(CIP) is seeking a highly skilled, results-oriented Project
Manager to provide overall leadership and management for the implementation of
an integrated agriculture-nutrition project in Rwanda. CIP seeks diversity and
gender balance in its staff. Women and citizens of developing countries are
particularly urged to apply.
****The Center:****
CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research for development
with a focus on potatoes, sweet potatoes, and Andean roots and tubers. Its
vision is to emphasize th
e 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 Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato for Income and Nutrition
project to scale up the production and utilization of biofortified, nutritious
sweetpotato in Rwanda. With support from USAID/Rwanda (contingent upon award),
the project aims to improve incomes and nutrition among 200,000 smallholder
households in ten districts in Rwanda through integrated agriculture-nutrition
interventions. The project is specifically targeted at households with children
under 5 years of age that are vulnerable to undernutrition. The project is
implemented in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, NGOs and private
sector partners and emphasizes capacity strengthening and monitoring and
learning across these partnerships. The project is closely aligned to the
objectives and monitoring processes of the Feed the Future program in Rwanda.
****The Position****:
The Project Manager will report to the CIP Country Manager Rwanda and to the
CIP Sweetpotato Program Leader and will be based in Kigali.
****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. 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, Government of Rwanda, NGOs, and private sector
partners. Build and manage strong and productive partnerships with GoR and
implementing partners and facilitate learning and knowledge exchange across the
entire project partnership. Participate in regular planning and 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 Rwanda 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
Rwanda through sound and innovative communications.
- Staff
Management, Professional Development and Team 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.
Selection
Criteria:
- Masters
level degree in relevant discipline such as agriculture, economics, social
sciences, nutrition, or marketing. PhD degree in relevant field is an
advantage. Specific formal 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. - Working
proficiency of French is an advantage. - 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.
Applications:Applicants should apply
online through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website (http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/),
including a cover letter, a full C.V with the names and contact information of
three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional
qualifications and work experience. Screening of applications will begin on October 22, 2015
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 athttp://www.cipotato.org*.*
