Current Jobs at International Potato Center (CIP), January 2016

International Potato Center (CIP) is a not-for-profit international agricultural research organization with a global mandate to conduct research on genetic resources of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other Andean roots and tubers, crop genetic enhancement and improvement, integrated crop management and sustainable management of natural resources.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on behalf of The International Potato Center seeks suitable candidates for the position of Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. The candidate selected for this position will be based in Abuja and will work under the supervision of the Sweet potato for Health and Wealth project leader in Nigeria. The employment will be for a period of one year with a possibility of renewal subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

International Potato Center (CIP) is recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Senior Country Coordinator

Location: Nigeria

Overview
The Building Nutritious Food Baskets (BNFB) project:

• This three-year project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, seeks to reduce hidden hunger by catalyzing sustainable investment for the utilization of biofortified crops (vitamin A cassava, vitamin A maize, vitamin A sweetpotato and iron rich beans) at scale. The project will be implemented in Nigeria and Tanzania, to demonstrate how multiple biofortified crops can be scaled up together at country level.
• The project is led by CIP and is implemented by a consortium partnership of six core partners - the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the International Potato Center (CIP), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), HarvestPlus and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

• CIP is seeking the services of an experienced Senior Country Coordinator for Nigeria who will work closely with the Project Manager to implement project activities in close collaboration with national partners.
• Close liaison with national implementing partners is required to ensure demand for seed is synchronized with the seed supply chain.
• The employment contract will be for a 3 year term (with a 3 month probation period).
• This is an nationally recruited position (NRS) based in Abuja, Nigeria, with extensive local travel to support project activities in the country and occasional regional travel.
• This position reports to the Project Manager.

• Working closely with the Project Manager, coordinate the implementation of project activities in the country;
• Support the situation analysis consultant and implement the national advocacy strategy;
• Coordinate policy engagement and investment activities on biofortified crops at national level;
• In collaboration with the Regional Advocacy Advisor, identify advocacy priorities and approaches in Nigeria in line with the project’s advocacy strategy;
• Support the Communications and Training Specialist, the Regional Advocacy Advisor and the technical team in producing relevant advocacy / promotion / behavior change communication materials and gender responsive and culturally appropriate nutrition messages;
• Work closely with advocates, champions, key policy makers, and on-going initiatives to influence the formulation of favourable policies, strategies and plans and operationalization of existing policies on biofortification at national and regional level;
• Establish and maintain relevant linkages with national advocacy fori / existing multi-sectoral nutrition programmes, bilateral donors, and civil society and initiate establishment / strengthening of a national multi-sectoral advocacy platform that links agriculture, nutrition and health;
• Spearhead the establishment / strengthening of thematic technical and policy platforms on biofortified crops;
• Ensure key policymakers are informed about biofortification and support the efforts of the BNFB project;
• Work closely with the technical team and national implementing partners and coordinate capacity building and seed systems activities that strengthen capacities of government agencies, private sector, NGOs and CBOs to invest in biofortification;
• Support the Communications and Training Specialist with planning training events;
• Work closely with the Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Specialist to monitor the work of BNFB in the country for quality control and documenting processes and lessons learned;
• Assist in analysing the implementation of progress, data collection and timely reporting to the Project Manager; and
• Supervise nationally recruited staff, financial and operations matters of the project at country as per CIP policies.

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Economics, Nutrition, Development or Social Science degree;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Experience in networking, alliance building and previous advocacy experience;
• Experience working in a challenging and fast paced environment;
• At least 7 years’ experience as a project / program manager for a large-scale agricultural advocacy/development project;
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate staff into a cohesive team and proven record in effectively managing multidisciplinary partnerships;
• Demonstrated awareness and responsiveness to gender and social issues in cross-cultural and gender integration programming;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English required;
• knowledge of one or two local languages of Nigeria preferred;
• Willingness to travel frequently.

• This position will be based in Tamale, Ghana or Osogbo, Nigeria, and will report to the Project Leader based in Tamale, Ghana.
• The selected candidate should be committed to guiding M&E of action research in a complex cooperative environment of research, development and private sector partners, and will be required to travel extensively within the three target countries (Ghana, Burkina Faso and Nigeria), with occasional travel to other regions of the world.

• Lead the socio-economic research components of value chain pilot efforts with income and nutrition outcomes, focusing on measuring adoption and impact on incomes, food security, and diet quality
• Design and coordinate the implementation of a monitoring system to track dissemination and uptake in partner countries, as well as conduct periodic qualitative assessments among project beneficiaries and partners.
• Manage data related to project milestones; work with stakeholders to develop impact pathways and collect relevant indicators to monitor progress towards achieving agreed upon milestones and final outcomes.
• Publish research articles and reports in collaboration with CIP staff and project research partners.
• Contribute to CIP’s regional and global M&E community of practice.

• MS or PhD in Agricultural Economics or other relevant social science discipline;
• At least two years experience in the design and implementation of baseline surveys, sampling design, adoption studies, impact evaluation, economic analysis of production systems and/or policy related socio-economic research;
• Proven skills in applying econometric and other quantitative approaches;
• Demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships in collaborative research for development implementation;
• A good publication record consistent with post-doctoral experience;
• Experience with survey data management, including the use of GIS and electronic tools for data capture, management and decision making;
• Experience with implementing value chains for specific crops preferred;
• Prior working experience in Africa;
• Excellent social skills and a collaborative style;
• Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes;
• Willingness to travel extensively within the region;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Good working knowledge of French will be an advantage.