VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: MONITORING AND EVALUATION OFFICER (ASIESA PROJECT) WITH AFRICAN SEED TRADE ASSOCIATION (AFSTA)
About AFSTA
AFSTA is a continent-wide umbrella body representing the private seed industry. AFSTA was formally established on March, 2000, during an inaugural congress in South Africa where Kenya was elected as host country for the Secretariat.
The African Seed Trade Association arose out of a need to have a regional representative body for the seed industry, which could also serve to promote the development of private seed enterprises.
AFSTA now has a diplomatic status.
AFSTA’s Mission is: To promote trade in quality seed and technologies in Africa for the benefit of members and farmers
ALLIANCE FOR THE SEED INDUSTRY IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA (ASIESA)
Background
Quality seed is the most important agricultural input. Without quality seed use of fertilizer, irrigation, crop-chemicals, or improved management practices is unlikely to produce the crop yield increases needed to enhance food security in Africa.
The African seed industry has registered slow growth due to a broad range of challenges, including:
· Lack of access to competitive credit
· Poor infrastructure,
· Bad policies
· Restrictive regulations,
· Technical and economic constraints.
· Building of profitable seed companies is critical to ensuring sustainable supply of quality seed to farmers.
About ASIESA
In response to the challenges above, AFSTA and COMESA teamed up in 2010 to create the Alliance for the Seed Industry in Eastern and Southern Africa (ASIESA).This is a public-private partnership whose goal is to create a reliable source of improved quality seeds the region by addressing the constraints facing the supply of certified seeds to farmers. Phase one of ASIESA is being implemented in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar through their National Seed Trade Associations (NSTAs).
ASIESA objectives
The objectives of ASIESA are to:
· Strengthen capacities of national seed trade associations;
· Train members on seed-related topics;
· Establish seed testing laboratories under the auspices of by national seed trade associations;
· Establish field demonstration farms
· Facilitate access to credit by establishing a revolving fund
· Participate in the harmonization of seed regulations in the region
The expected outcomes
· The following outcomes are expected from ASIESA after five years of implementation:
· Access to affordable and reliable supply of high quality seeds improved.
· Number of profit-making indigenous seed companies increased;
· Effective and efficient seed distribution and extension chains established;
· Voices of seed enterprises heard on seed related issues
· Enabling seed and grain policy and regulatory environments promulgated
Funding
The ASIESA is a multi-donor seed project with initial funding provided by USAID. It is expected that more development partners would join ASIESA to make it a success.
MONITORING & EVALUATION OFFICER (ASIESA) ROLE
The ASIESA M&E Officer will ensure ASIESA’s activities are delivered, documented and communicated in a timely manner. She/he will work with the National Seed Trade Association teams to ensure programs are on track and collect information on progress. The position reports to the ASIESA Program Director.
MAIN TASKS AND DUTIES
· Work with Communication & PR Department to lead and develop reports on various aspects of the project.
· Work with local teams to provide information on progress to national and regional policy makers and development partners.
· Ensure ASIESA activities are delivered, documented and communicated in a timely manner.
· Provide technical support to all project teams on ensuring adaptation of the M&E framework and ensuring timely and relevant information is provided to project stakeholders.
· Develop proper internal systems that promote project monitoring, quality assurance and evaluation; develop required guidelines and processes for reporting of project milestones and indicators.
· Train and support all relevant staff on the adapted M&E framework; ensure effective use of M&E tools and methodologies for planning, monitoring and reporting.
· Coordinate timely and appropriate project reporting.
· Ensure easy access to M&E reports and data, and ensure the same are widely distributed.
MANDATORY COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful candidate must be an African citizen from any one of the COMESA countries. Candidates from the eight ASIESA Project countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar) are encouraged to apply.
Career Background / Operational Experience:
- A commendable career with 10+ years experience in African agri-business and specifically within the Seed Sector in COMESA region.
- At least 5+ years experience in Monitoring & Evaluation of complex seed related donor projects in Africa, COMESA region.
- Public sector or Non-profit sector experience an advantage.
- Managed complex multi-donor / government relationships successfully.
- Capable of travelling extensively.
Academic Background
· At least Masters Degree in Economics, Social Sciences or other related fields.
· A Bachelors degree in the same fields will be considered if supported by ample experience)
· Knowledge of M&E methods, approaches, information analysis and report-writing.
· Qualifications in Project Management
· Qualifications Financial Management.
· Good Computer skills (MS Office / Internet).
Other Requirements
· Ability to work in a multi disciplinary team to achieve common goals in a challenging environment.
· Ability to lead in strategic planning, results based project management and reporting procedures.
· Excellent communication skills; ability to present information persuasively.
· Fluency in spoken and written English;
· Resourceful; passionate about their work; demonstrates energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
· Demonstrates strong ability to manage complexities.
· Respectful of all working relationships; not bossy.
· Basic working knowledge of French will be an added advantage.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The M & E Officer shall be based in Nairobi, Kenya, where the Headquarters of the Association is located. The M & E Officer is recruited with a five (2) -year mandate with a high potential for extension based on a successful performance assessment.
The Remuneration is based on the internationally competitive and attractive salary scale of AFSTA
Application Instructions:
APPLICATION
Expressions of Interest with a full CV and supporting statement, highlighting your experience and skills against the requirements of the role should be submit to Ms. Susan Waweru, Director, SRI Executive Search, Nairobi, Kenya. Email: swaweru@sri-executive.com
SRI Executive has been retained by AFSTA to manage both internal and external applications for this role.
The closing date for applications is 30 April 2012
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