Vredeseilanden Regional Representative (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya)

Vredeseilanden wants to contribute to viable livelihoods of organized family farmers in South and North. We believe that family farmers can feed the world and work themselves out of poverty, while respecting the boundaries of the planet. Vredeseilanden supports family farmers in gaining a decent income from sustainable agriculture. We do so by supporting them to improve their position in the whole agricultural value chain, from production to consumption. Therefore, Vredeseilanden facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogues with value chain actors, private sector and governments. We use evidence from the value chain interventions to reach agenda’s for structural change.

In 2014, Vredeseilanden starts its new 6-year strategic program. In East-Africa, we are focussing more on up-scaling the regional program and we are moving the regional office from Kampala, Uganda to Arusha, Tanzania to be more strategically located in the region. Therefore, we will be phasing out the current structure in Kampala and starting up a new structure in Arusha. The Regional Representative will play a leading role in this process.

We are recruiting for the office in Arusha, Tanzania a:

Regional Representative (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya) Based in Arusha, Tanzania

Objective of the position: Develop, lead and manage the regional VECO program in East-Africa taking into account the regional context so as to achieve maximum and sustainable increase in income and food sovereignty of organized family farmers. Veco East-Africa is active in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, with its regional office based in Arusha, Tanzania.

Responsibilities: - End responsibility for the implementation, leadership and manage a regional program in line with the global VE policies, strategies and guidelines, taking into account the regional context - End responsibility for the development of specific policies for the regional program (financial, HR, programmatic) in line with VE global policies, and taking into account the regional context and legal framework - Ensure the development of value chains as strategy to increase the income of organized family farmers - Facilitate the dialogue with relevant partners such as farmer organisations, the government, the private sector - End responsibility for securing adequate resources (human and financial) for the specific program in the region - End responsibility for the financial management of the program - Ensure the successful functioning of the antenna’s in the region - Represent Vredeseilanden in the region and ensure the liaison between the region and Vredeseilanden in Belgium and its key stakeholders (volunteers and donors!) - Participate in the development of the global policies of Vredeseilanden, in particular in relation to the own regional context. - Manage the regional program’s Human Resources, and ensure the management of the regional programme’s administration and ICT - Lead the continuous development of the program’s strategies and policies, ensuring the active participation in this of the program’s staff, partners and key stakeholders - Ensure VECO East-Africa is integrated into the relevant local and regional networks and ensure that VECO operates not in (splendid) isolation. - Ensure the regular and systematic assessment of the program’s performance, program adjustment as needed, and the program’s participation in the Measuring, Learning and Communicating//monitoring and learning-system system of Vredeseilanden globally

Profile - Masters degree or equivalent in (Sustainable) agriculture, (Development) economics or Development studies or equivalent by experience - Very good knowledge of English as working language of the global organisation. Good Knowledge of the language(s) in the region is an asset. - Background in international Development Cooperation, in particular regarding family farming - minimum 3 years in management position - minimum 3 years of living and working in a developing country - Has a global vision and a broad interest, is able to see problems from different angles and seek solutions with experts - Has change management skills to accompany the phasing out of the existing structure and the starting up of a new structure - Has the capacity to develop, in a strategic manner, a regional program - strong leadership - can manage, coach and motivate a multicultural team - Knows key concepts and methods in HRM and financial management - Has a strong affinity with Vredeseilanden's mission and values

Send your application with CV and motivation letter to Vredeseilanden, Blijde Inkomststraat 50, B-3000 Leuven, or mail it to jobs@vredeseilanden.be before March 3rd 2013. Tel. ++32/16/31.65.80 - Fax. ++32/16/31.65.81
Please mention the recruitment channel as a reference in your application letter.

Start contract: June 2013.

Job description: www.vredeseilanden.be/jobs

How to apply:

mail to jobs@vredeseilanden.be