Executive Director - The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
On behalf of: African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services
VACANCY Announcement
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Ref: AFAAS/adv/ED/2011

The African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is the umbrella organisation for Agricultural Advisory Services (AAS) in Africa. It is a platform for developing more innovative approaches aimed at improving the delivery of AAS and their responsiveness to user demands. It operates within the framework of CAADP Pillar IV which has the objective of enhancing the livelihoods of African farmers and pastoralists and is spearheaded by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). Hence FARA is supporting the institutional development of AFAAS as well as strengthening its linkages with other umbrella bodies contributing to CAADP Pillar IV.

The AFAAS Board now wishes to recruit a highly qualified and experienced individual to be the full-time Executive Director (ED) of AFAAS.

The ED will be directly responsible for putting the organisation on a firm footing as a reputable international organisation supporting African Countries to improve their Agricultural Advisory Services through implementation of the Strategic Plan, and for executing the decisions of the Board in managing the day-to-day running of the organisation.

Reporting to the AFAAS Board, the Executive Director, shall inter-alia perform the following duties and responsibilities:

a. Implementing the strategic plan
b. Developing a business plan for AFAAS and mobilising both core funding and operational funding for AFAAS particularly in respect of implementation its Strategic Plan
c. Serving as the Chief Executive Officer of AFAAS which shall entail being accountable for the management of the human, financial and physical resources of AFAAS including the AFAAS secretariat
d. Implementing the decisions of the AFAAS Board as guided by the AFAAS General Assembly
e. Developing annual workplans and budgets and subsequently monitoring implementation and reporting on progress to AFAAS Board and General Assembly
f. Setting up the AFAAS management systems for the country programmes
g. Providing leadership in advocating and lobbying for the interests of AFAAS at national, regional and international level
h. Developing partnerships networks and collaborations relevant to attainment of the AFAAS objectives between AFAAS and regional, continental and international government and non-government organisations - particularly those engaged in pursuing the objectives of CAADP Pillar IV
i. Perform any other duties as directed by the AFAAS Board.

Required
The Executive Director should have the following qualifications/ attributes:
An African national with the following attributes:
Broad knowledge and understanding of agricultural and rural development in Africa, and practical and conceptual familiarity with the past and emerging paradigms and approaches to the design and implementation of agricultural knowledge and information systems; Substantial practical experience with the design and implementation of Agricultural Advisory Services programs; Substantial experience with the management of complex organizations; Substantial experience working with bi-lateral and multi-lateral development agencies; International stature as a leading figure in the design and implementation of agricultural advisory service programs; Proven experience in strategic planning, programme development, project management, coordination of complex programmes, and resource mobilisation; Verifiable experience in managing the processes at the technical and political interfaces between national, regional and international development organisations and donors; Experience in fund-raising; A minimum of a MSc degree but preferably a PhD or equivalent degree in agricultural extension, agriculture, , agricultural economics, natural resources management, agricultural education or a related field; Fluency in English is mandatory and a strong functional grasp of French shall be an advantage.

Compensation
The position is full time and based at the AFAAS Secretariat in Uganda with the possibility of renewal.

Applications
Applications with comprehensive curriculum vitae, together with the names, addresses, E-mail addresses, telephone and fax numbers of three referees should be sent by email to:
The Chairman, AFAAS Executive Director Search Committee, Plot 22A Nakasero Road; Kampala, Uganda.
E-mail Address: search@afaas-africa.org
Receipt of applications sent by email shall be acknowledged promptly by email and if not applicants are advised to send a hard copy by courier.

For further information, you may contact: Dr. Dan Kisauzi; Management Consultant; e-mail: dkisauzi@afaas-africa.org . Detailed background information and job description has been published on the FARA website: www.fara-africa.org for your information. Applications will be accepted up to 30th June 2011.

NB
Please use the reference code indicated above as your subject for when sending the emails and application letter.