Program Director – Soil Values at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Provide the overall vision and leadership of the project;
• Build, guide and steer a strong implementation team of experts;
• Represent the project in meetings, conferences, and other opportunities conducive to publicizing, promoting and marketing the project’s (and project partners’) achievements;
• Maintain coherence between activities in West Africa, activities by project partners and the private sector partners;
• Maintain strong and effective working relationships with DGIS and country EKNs through frequent updates as per the communications plan and other adhoc communication required.

Overall programmatic management

• Lead regular project management meetings with our consortium members;
• Initiate and organize project supervisory board meetings at least twice a year and other key meetings;
• Ensure consistency among activities implemented in the 4 priority countries;
• Monitor project overall expenditure and private sector contribution against budgets and ensure financial compliance to both donor requirements and IFDC procedures;
• Supervise completion of timely and high-quality work plans, progress reports and financial reports;
• Monitor project indicators in accordance with the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, evaluate program results and take necessary corrective actions whenever needed;
• Collaborate with IFDC HQ to ensure that managerial, administrative and financial procedures comply with provisions of the project contract, the donor regulations and IFDC policies.

Communications and outreach

• Oversee the convening, outreach and communications strategy of the project;
• Supervise communications specialists and guide them on topics to be highlighted through success stories, case studies, fact sheets and other outreach materials;
• Oversee the knowledge & learning including advocacy strategy of the project;
• Review and approve all public relations materials.

Finance and administration

• Approve and monitor overall project expenditure including expenditure rates of the project and consortium partners;
• Ensure all activities are conducted within the scope of the project budget;
• Assure that cost share is obtained from partners as planned and properly accounted for and that buy-in targets are met;
• Compile and approve annual financial reporting and monitoring and evaluation reports and outcomes.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in business management, agribusiness, agricultural economics, development economics; rural development;
• A minimum of 15 years of hands-on experience in international agricultural development, with a sizable portion of this experience in West Africa;
• Proven record of accomplishment and expertise in soil fertility management, with a deep understanding of sustainable agricultural practices;
• Demonstrated senior management and leadership experience, including overseeing complex projects or teams;
• Established and active relationships with key stakeholders in West Africa, both in the public and private sectors, related to agricultural development and soil fertility;
• Experience in developing partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments and government entities, private sector actors, and development partners;
• Fluent in both French and English, enabling effective collaboration in multicultural settings;
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey project objectives and achievements.