ASARECA JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Our client, The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) is a sub- regional not-for-profit association. It was established in 1994 by 11 member countries represented by their national agricultural research for development institutes. The 11 member countries are: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The major objective of ASARECA is to develop policies and programs aimed at deepening co-operation in agricultural research and policy among its member countries for the mutual benefit of all the stakeholders in the agricultural sector. As a responsible employer, ASARECA is committed to providing competitive employment terms to its employees. To help in achieving this, ASARECA is looking to recruit individuals with high integrity, dedication, and commitment to fill a number of critical positions.

Head of Finance (One position)

Reporting to the Executive Director, the The Head of finance will be responsible for leading ASARECA’s financial management procedures in line with the ASARECA strategic plan and Operational Plan. This involves collaboration with the various management offices in ASARECA, developing and monitoring

budgets, keeping accurate financial records and ensuring accountabilities at all levels, creating efficient financial service delivery, controlling expenditure and revenue, and periodic financial reporting.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the budget preparation process in collaboration with the various management offices in ASARECA;

• Prepare secretariat operational budgets and present these to the Executive Director for review, monitor and review budgets and advise management as appropriate;

• Assist in collaboration with the various management offices in ASARECA in the development of the financial strategic plan;

•    Maintain proper books of accounts to record expenditure, revenue, assets and liabilities in line with the ASARECA accounting Policies, and manage the smooth running of the accounting system;

•    Receive and acknowledge funds and create an accounting system for tracking donor funds and their applications (uses);

•    Prepare and submit donor financial accountability reports;

•  Guide  and  prepare periodic financial reports that  show

an accurate financial position and  performance  of

ASARECA;

•  Lead and  manage the  finance management unit  for

effective and  efficient financial service  delivery;

•    Manage the verification and record keeping of all ASARECA fixed assets;

•    Facilitate external audit reviews;

•    Lead the preparation of the ASARECA annual financial report through the Executive Director to the Board

of Directors, Development Partners and General Assembly;

•  Provide secretarial services  and  ex-officio  membership

to the  Audit  and  Finance Committee of the  Board;  and

•  Provide periodic reports and  serve  as a linkage between

the  clients  and  ASARECA.

Person specifications

The successful candidate  will have:

•    A demonstrable track record of financial performance for at least 10 years at senior management level in a donor funded organisation;

•    Excellent technical, financial and accounting knowledge;

•    Experience in implementing and monitoring strong financial control systems;

•  Good  people management  skills;

•  Ability to work  in a multicultural office environment;

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced setting environment, multi-task, work under pressure, and remain sensitive to meeting deadlines;

•  Strong verbal  and  written communication skills; and

•  High  level of integrity and  negotiation skills.

We are looking for a candidate who holds a good Masters degree in Finance/Accounting/MBA with professional qualification in ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent qualification.

Head of ICT (One position)

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Head of ICT will be responsible for overseeing the effective and efficient operation of the ICT Department and ensuring departmental alignment with the organisation’s operations. The Head of ICT works closely with his

or her colleagues on the senior management team to drive, implement, and manage the strategy for IT and IS developments that provide on-going cost-effective solutions for all aspects of ASARECA activities and will

also ensure appropriate IT capacity to adequately support current and projected activities.

Key responsibilities

•	Provide constructive and  effective contribution  to the
	formulation of ASARECA’s key activities and  objectives;
•	Formulate IT and  IS strategies that  allow  ASARECA to
	achieve its objectives;
•	Manage the  ICT department,  ensure delivery of
	appropriate services  support and  information to
	all users  at the  Secretariat and  partner institutions,
	including the  agreement and  ongoing management  of
	service  level agreements (SLAs);
•	Develop   the  most  appropriate design of infrastructure
	to support the  business, taking into  account prevailing
	best  practices and  technologies;
•	Identify and	agree IT priorities, maintain an oversight
	of all IT and	IS projects ensuring that  compatibility
	and integration issues  are  taken into  account and,  as a
	member of the  project steering group, be responsible
	for the  monitoring and  control of all IT- led projects
	within ASARECA;
•	Responsible for ASARECA’s information security
	policy and  adherence to the  requirements of the  Data
	Protection Act;
•	Manage the  operational costs  of the  IT department,
	including the  preparation, submission and  monitoring
	of operational budgets that  meet  prevailing objectives;
•	Ensure that	IT and  IS infrastructure and  stored data are
	secure against internal and  external threats and
	position effective and  appropriate measures for risk
	management, and  information security (Business
	Continuity and  Disaster Recovery  Plans  (BCP & DRP));

•     Oversee provision of end-user support services, including help-desk and associated technical support services;

•     Oversee negotiation and administration of IT and IS vendor, outsourced suppliers and consultant service agreements and contracts;

•     Manage department staffing, including resource planning, recruitment, professional development, appraisal and disciplinary actions to provide a resilient and responsive support team that provides the specified

service levels to the organisation’s users and the required skills for the technical support of the solutions in use; and

• Ensure that the structure of the IT department and skill sets present within it are appropriate to meet the needs of the business.

Person specifications

The successful candidate  will have:

• Five years of experience at a management/ leadership level;

• Excellent technical skills in COBIT or ITIL; project management skills will be an added advantage;

• Strong interpersonal, communication and relational skills, with sound judgment, initiative, flexibility and detail-oriented;

•  Strong analytical and  logical  problem solving  skills;

•     Documented working experience with Microsoft Windows environments, including MS-SQL and Microsoft Exchange, Internet Information Server and other applications; and

•     Experience with Microsoft Windows configuration, installation, maintenance, support and troubleshooting of TCP/IP networks supporting VoIP telephony, microcomputers and other systems, system development, complex project management, knowledge of the existing network hardware, client/server technology, internet/intranets.

We are looking for a candidate with a Masters degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or in a related field.

Environmental Safeguard Specialist (One position)

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, the Environmental Safeguard Specialist will be responsible for providing operational support to ASARECA Managers, Unit Heads and Principal Investigators for them to fulfill the compliance requirements and enhance the , effective integration of environmental and social concerns of project activities financed by the ASARECA MDTF. The Officer is expected to use and strengthen the country systems in environmental and social assessments by providing technical comments and by participating

in the process of preparing environmental and social management plans for all approved projects, monitoring the implementation of the mitigation measures identified in the plan and providing training in environmental

and social issues to sub grantees as part of the capacity building initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake regular categorization and review of the social, technical, and environmental impact of project and resettlement plans to ensure quality control of documents, adequacy of mitigation measures and strengthening of compliance to environmental and social safeguards procedures;

• Ensure preparation, reviews, and updating of safeguard procedures of ASARECA, including the preparation and updating of tools, formats / manuals and procedures;

•     Coordinate the creation / dissemination of information both internal and external and the use of such in environmental and social sustainability studies and initiatives;

•     Create a knowledge network within ASARECA on

project-based environmental and social issues to improve communication, modus operandi, and safeguards;

• Ensure that training is provided to ASARECA staff on sustainable development and social safeguards both internally and in partner institutions following the production of training materials, learning tools and related documents;

•    Participate in preparing management responses to World Bank Review Missions’ reports and required monitoring activities;

•    Undertake periodic monitoring of progress reporting on the implementation of environmental and social safeguards policies and procedures, including lessons learned and strategic direction;

•    Establish and  manage partnerships and  initiate

networking with other international and bilateral agencies at international, regional and local levels to advance the agenda of the safeguards’ program and represent ASARECA in such conferences and workshops;

•  Assess social  and  environmental impacts of the  projects

and  mitigation measures through desk  reviews and  field

visits;

•  Provide classifications for projects in terms of the  level

of possible social  and  environmental impacts and

mitigation possibilities;

•    Ensure performance standards are specifically applicable to the particular project being reviewed, and environmental guidelines are followed to ensure

project designs and planned mitigation measures and the applicable standards are met;

•  Manage contract conditions to ensure compliance of the

project with  the  performance standards and  applicable

guidelines;

•  Prepare environmental and  social  review  summaries for

all projects as an essential part  of disclosure process;

•    Ensure environmental and social mitigation measures and the right institutional setup is in place and budget is allocated for their implementation; and

•    Prepare terms of reference for environmental and social impact assessments.

Person specifications

The successful  candidate will have:

•  A minimum of five years  experience in one  or more

relevant professional disciplines;

•    Strong theoretical base in environmental and/or social areas, combining a broad grasp of relevant theory and principles with practices and precedents;

•    Good knowledge of the World Bank safeguard policy and those of ASARECA member countries;

•    Ability to translate theory into  practical applications in

social  or environmental due  diligence and  monitoring

of moderately complex projects in different sectors;

•  Ability to carry  out  policy analysis, as necessary

to support the  work  of the  environment and  social

specialist team  on how  best  to ensure ASARECA’s

policies  and  standards on social  and  environmental

sustainability are  met;

•  Ability to travel frequently and  handle often  difficult

project environments, and  to work  in a variety of

cultural contexts and  countries;

•    Strong written and spoken English including the ability to convey ideas and positions clearly. Working knowledge of French will be considered an added advantage;

•    High level of work ethical standards and a demonstrated ability to handle procedures that involve highly sensitive and confidential information;

•    Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize assignments, and work effectively often under pressure with minimum supervision;

•    Demonstratable maturity and judgment and sound decision-making and negotiating skills; and

•    Ability to work within cross-cultural groups to achieve consensus on complex policy issues.

We are looking for a candidate with a Masters degree in a relevant discipline (Environment, Engineering, Legal, or Social Sciences) or in any other related field.

Programme Manager (Two positions): Programme Manager-Staple Crops and Programme Manager-High Value Non-Staple Crops

The two Programme Managers report to the Deputy Executive Director and will be responsible for leading and managing the establishment of ASARECA’s regional

research portfolio, up scaling and out scaling of technologies and innovations, building NARS capacity for research, extension and education in the programme areas. These roles involve developing the program strategy and identifying the thematic and strategic

research priority areas, fundraising, providing programme leadership in projects and other program activities, implementation, mobilising and building strategic alliances and partnerships to enable ASARECA achieve its goals and objectives.

Key responsibilities

•  Develop  the  programme strategic plan  and  set priorities

for the  programme in line with  ASARECA’s strategic

goals  and  objectives;

•  To lead  in upscaling and  outscaling of technologies and

innovations;

•  Formulate operational plan,  mid-term plans  and  annual

work  plans  and  required budgets based on the  identified

priorities and  strategies;

•  Develop  and  drive  implementation of scientific

standards and  processes to assure high  quality outputs

and  achievement of targeted impact;

•  Ensure that  the  programme research portfolio and

activities are  enhanced through developing research

calls,  and  organising evaluation of submitted

concept notes and  providing leadership for proposals

development and  capacity building;

•  Facilitate and  encourage members of the  winning team

or partners to understand ASARECA’s requirements

for  processing  fund  requisitions  and  accountabilities,

procurements to ensure effective, efficient and  timely

implementation of funded projects;

•     Identify capacity building needs, develop and implement a strategy to build capacity of the various stakeholders for IAR4D through organising

group trainings (group courses, farmers and other stakeholders’ trainings) and post graduate training;

•     Manage research contracts with stakeholders through negotiations with winning teams, preparation of research grants and sub-grant agreements;

•     Provide intellectual leadership in the implementation of collaborative research projects to ensure quality and relevance of the research, organise monitoring and evaluation missions to ensure that the programme delivers against ASARECA’s goals;

•     Manage strategic alliances, partnerships and linkages and ensure strong teams in implementation of the projects;

•     Identify constraints within the programme and develop the terms of reference to source relevant consultants competitively in conjunction with the procurement and finance departments;

•     Manage staff issues, staff performance, identify and ensure monthly planning of activities for administrative staff in the programme area;

•     Provide effective guidance, coaching and evaluation of staff to assist them in developing their skills and abilities to ensure optimal performance;

•     Manage relationships and collaboration with partners, to ensure delivery of services;

•     Undertake programme budgetary planning and management. Approve requests for payment on programme activities and monitor project budgets to ensure value for money;

•     Ensure proper recruitment of programme support staff

in collaboration with  the  Head  of Administration;

•  Provide intellectual leadership in dissemination of

research findings and  other relevant information

through appropriate media (publications in scientific

journals, conference papers and  policy briefs  among

others);

•  Source and  manage resources for the  implementation  of

the  programme priority project areas; and

•     Contribute to the development of ASARECA’s institutional development with regard to the programme.

Person Specifications

The successful  candidates will have:

• At least 10 years experience as a scientist including a minimum of five years experience in a senior Agricultural Research and Development Management position;

• The jobholder should also have a minimum of five years experience in coordination or carrying out research at regional level;

•     Demonstrable experience in Agricultural Innovation Systems and Value Chain Analysis;

• Strong experience in coordination and implementation of monitoring of agricultural technology dissemination and scaling up and out projects; and

• Good strategic and systems thinking skills, leadership and people management skills.

We are looking for candidates with a PhD qualification in Agriculture, Agricultural Extension/Economics, Natural Resource Management or a related field.

Programme Assistants (Three positions-Uganda Nationals only)

Reporting to the Programme Manager ,the Programme Assistants will be responsible for providing support to the Programme Manager in delivering his/her mandate in ASARECA.

Key responsibilities

• Receive periodic reports from stakeholders, review and provide feedback on the quality of the reports;

•     Prepare draft synthesis reports, drafts contract agreements, and letters of requests for services;

•     Assist in developing requests for research calls/ proposals and send them out, receive applications and prepare the evaluation forms that are used during the selection process;

•     Manage inquiries from different stakeholders pertaining to all programme work;

•     Coordinate workshop duties/activities through drawing up of list of invitees, preparing the workshop budgets, drafting invitation letters, repertoiring, compiling workshop publications and proceedings;

•     Receive and follow up of the sub-grant financial accountabilities and forward them to finance;

•     Prepare periodic newsletters that are distributed to over 800 stakeholders and provide articles to be posted onto the website;

•  Assist in preparing annual work  plans  and  budget

for the  program in consultation with  the  Programme

Managers;

•     Assist in consolidating programme technical reports into the corporate annual report;

•     Consolidate programme work plans into corporate work plans;

•     Assist in preparing publications for scientific conferences;

•  Assist to carry  out  monitoring and  evaluation of projects

in liaison  with  the  M&E unit; and

•  Organise in-house planning meetings, and  take  a

record of minutes for meetings to ensure actions are

implemented.

Person specifications

The successful  candidates will have:

• At least five years experience as a researcher in an agricultural oriented organisation at middle-level management;

•     Demonstrable progressive experience in administrative services;

•     Good interpreter to communicate to stakeholders who are French speaking;

•     Ability to analyse data and extract reporting material; and

•     Good understanding and appreciation of regional agricultural issues.

We are looking for candidates with Masters of Science in Agriculture or in any other related field.

If you believe you fit the required profile, send your applications in confidence to the address below by close of business Friday 12 October 2012. Please Indicate the position that you are applying for and send your curriculum vitae (by post or email) containing details of your qualifications, experience, present position, current and expected remuneration as well as copies of professional/ academic certificates. Include day and evening telephone numbers, e-mail address, names and addresses of three references to:

The People and  Change Division

PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited

Communications House, 1 Colville Street P O Box 8053 Kampala, Uganda E-mail:  hr.s@ug.pwc.com

Only short-listed candidates  will be contacted.

© 2012 PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited. All rights reserved. In this document, “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity.