Coordinator - OFAB

The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) is an international not-for-profit organisation that facilitates and promotes public/private partnerships to promote food security and enhance livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

AATF works with African governments, private and public technology owners and developers, NGOs, seed companies and African farmers to identify and access technologies that will address farmers’ key problems and enhance their productivity and incomes.

AATF is a registered charity under the laws of England and Wales and has host country status with the Government of Kenya. The Foundation depends on the ongoing support and collaboration of different partners and investors to meet its objectives.

AATF is expanding its advocacy programme, the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB), and is seeking to recruit an OFAB Coordinator. OFAB is currently operational in five countries in SSA with plans to expand to more countries in the future.

This biotechnology information sharing platform was launched in 2006 to enhance knowledge-sharing and awareness on biotechnology that will raise understanding and appreciation of agricultural biotechnology and contribute to building an enabling environment for decision making.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Communications and Partnership Manager and overall guidance of the Executive Director, the OFAB Coordinator will work closely with AATF and OFAB partners, government officials, donors, biotechnology stakeholders, media and civil society.

She/he will have the key responsibilities of coordinating, guiding growth and expansion, monitoring and reporting on the programme’s activities in Africa.

Duties and responsibilities

• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of OFAB annual work plans to ensure achievement of the objectives and milestones at the country and Africa-wide levels through regular interactions with country host partners
• Guide expansion and growth of OFAB activities through identification of opportunities that offer impact outside of the OFAB monthly meetings
• Manage OFAB partnerships and relationships at the global and country level by ensuring that working agreements are renewed appropriately, facilitating consultations and timely provision of information and support as requested
• Develop an issue tracking, recording and management system that will support stakeholder activities and knowledge
• Support realisation of effective OFAB events and activities and guide productive relations with the media to promote awareness of OFAB and biotechnology in Africa
• Oversee documentation, information management and sharing that include effective management of OFAB websites and social media, development, publishing and dissemination of reports and other information materials and regular updates to OFAB partners and stakeholders on key issues and developments

The ideal candidate should demonstrate good advocacy, networking and communication skills with ability to plan and prioritise work activities and supervise virtual teams.

She/he should have a good understanding of the SSA agricultural policy environment and knowledge of main players in agricultural biotechnology.

She/he should possess a Master’s degree in Communication or related field or first degree in communication with Postgraduate Diploma in an agricultural related field.

She/he should have at least 10 years of relevant experience in public relations and communications with at least five years of active advocacy experience at the national or international level.

Applicants should have experience in the usage of computers, especially MS Office suite and internet applications.

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based in Nairobi.

The contract is for three years but subject to performance and availability of funds.

Salary and benefits will be in line with the AATF NRS scheme.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application letters and curriculum vitae by email not later than 17 April 2012 to: Email: aatf-hr@aatf-africa.org.