About our organization:

The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is a non-profit global research organization that generates sciencebased knowledge about the diverse and important roles that trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. The Centre’s vision is rural transformation in the developing world, as family farmers use treebased solutions based in agroforestry to improve food security, nutrition, income, soil, human and ecosystem health, and to help them adapt to and mitigate climate change. With their multidisciplinary research and the knowledge they generate, ICRAF and its partners advance policies and practices that benefit the poor and the environment.

The Centre’s headquarters are in Nairobi, Kenya, and it conducts research in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. ICRAF is a member of the Consortium of 15 independent agricultural research centres of CGIAR. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors. Activities in the West and Central Africa Region (WCA) are carried out in the Sahel, Upper Guinea and in the Humid Tropics Zones. The Regional Office is located in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Regional Program has offices in Cameroon, Mali and Cote d’Ivoire. Activities focus on participatory tree domestication of high-value indigenous fruit, fodder and vegetable trees; and medicinal plants with particular emphasis on marketing of derived products, as well as on the links between agroforestry and climate change/environmental services.

Under the Feed the Future (FTF) initiative on technology Scaling Award funded by the USAID Mali Mission, the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is looking for a Project Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) for Scaling-up climate-Smart Agroforestry Technologies (SmAT-Scaling) Project to be based in Samanko, Bamako, Mali.

To learn more, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

The Position

The DCoP’s primary responsibility will be to assist the Chief of Party through technical leadership, coordination and collaboration with implementing partners, and strategic oversight of all activities to ensure the project partners meets stated goals, quality standards and reporting requirements. He will work closely with the Chief of Party and SmAT-Scaling project Consortium members to ensure that the program managers/partners implement high quality interventions. He will assume the responsibilities of the CoP in his absence and perform other duties as assigned by the line manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

• In coordination with the Chief of Party (CoP), manage project implementation staff and sub-grantees to ensure optimal programmatic quality:

1. Provide oversight to technical leads,
2. Develop and carry out a plan to increase the capacity of local partners for the implementation of program activities,
3. Coordinate program team members and their activities with government staff and private sector where appropriate, and
4. Facilitate regular discussions around program targets including quantitative as well as qualitative indicators of project achievements.

• Support the CoP in providing leadership, management, and technical direction of the project, including: ensure an integrated vision among different components and actors and focus on achieving results defined in the contract.
• Lead in continuous improvement of quality and in establishing a results-driven-management system while fostering synergy between project component that assures timely and quality implementation of activities.
• The DCOP will be responsible leading the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) team of the project.
• Use M&E information to improve program implementation; identify operational risks and their solutions; resolve bottlenecks at an early stage.
• Research and apply approaches to technology dissemination, community resilience programming which are contextually appropriate.
• Review, implement and improve program and resource management systems in the field.
• Lead and coordinating scaling up activities on Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Systems and Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) on agroforestry products value chains.
• In coordination with the CoP, prepare annual work plans and contribute to progress reports, and monitor the implementation of these plans.
• Oversee project reviews and evaluations and ensure timely utilization and dissemination learning for continual improvement of project activities and overall strategy.
• In coordination with the CoP, identify early winners as well as proof of evidence of project’s approaches resulting in scale up of best practices.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with donor (USAID), partners and local stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with cooperative agreements/grants/contracts and make recommendations for improving the overall effectiveness of the project.
• Ensure that women and marginalized groups are beneficiaries of the project.
• Participate in regular field visits to the project areas to assure project progress towards activity objectives and goals.
• Act as the CoP during the CoP’s absence; and
• Any other tasks as assigned by the line manager and the CoP.

Required Academic and Professional Qualifications:

• PhD in social science, rural development economics, or related field.
• At least three years’ post PhD professional experience in the field of project coordination and management, socio-economic, rural development, monitoring evaluation and impact assessment.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Good knowledge on Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Systems with particular emphasis on agroforestry fodder species.
• Familiar with USAID monitoring and reporting systems.
• Good knowledge of statistical and econometric analysis tools.
• Strong skills in conceptualisation, communication and reporting.
• Proficiency in English and French in speaking and writing is required.
• Demonstrable competence in the use of computers and have a good knowledge of electronic field data collection.
• Working experience in West and Central Africa Region is an asset.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and a multicultural environment.
• Willing to travel frequently across all regions of Mali, including Mopti and Timbuktu

Terms of offer:

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we encourage applications from qualified women. This position is remunerated on International Terms. The appointment will be for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a nine (9) months’ probation period.

This position will be based in ICRAF’s Office in Bamako, Mali.

How to apply:

Go to http://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies, complete the application form and attach your cover letter and CV/Resume (as one document – labelled with your First Name and Last Name).

Applications will be considered until 11 June 2017. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.