Director for Enabling Impact Department

Director for Enabling Impact Department

IFDC – International Fertilizer Development Center

Accra, Ghana

Responsibilities

As the Director of the Enabling Impact Department (EID), you are responsible for managing the portfolio of projects and programs in your department. Your overarching goals are to: Rebuild IFDC core capacity in policy analysis for enabling and measuring impact; build an effective and functional linkage between the enabling impact department (EID) and all other projects and programs; Strengthen project/programs staff capacity to ensure uniformity and credibility in measuring results and impact; Ensure that all projects and programs in the EID meet all contractual deliverables while staying on approved budget target; and Contribute to securing the extension of existing programs.

• Assures that individual project leaders collaborate within and across program departments;
• Establishes formal communication and knowledge sharing mechanisms across departments and projects;
• Provides managerial oversight and support to the portfolio of EID field projects;
• Ensures an appropriate program or project management framework is in place;
• Communicates regularly with Chiefs of Party/Project Leaders to ensure they receive the required corporate support and adequately fulfill their project implementation responsibilities, while adhering to contractual obligations and donor requirements, as well as policies and procedures internal to IFDC;
• Regularly briefs the VP Programs on the status of projects in the department;
• Establishes formal reporting arrangements on programs or projects progress;
• Co-ordinates and fosters teamwork;
• Build a strong team through open and inclusive communication as well as empowerment;
• Monitors activities and financial flows of projects to assist Chiefs of Party/Project Leaders in maintaining on-time and on-budget performance;
• Review key project deliverables, such as technical progress reports, work plans, budgets, performance monitoring plans before donor submission;
• Receives and reviews detailed reports on the programs or projects from the program or project leaders;
• Ensures quality controls are applied to all technical reports, policy briefs to ensure ‘’excellence” at all levels of management and implementation;
• Supports field projects in the recruiting and procurement of technical assistance;
• Hires, trains and be a motivating mentor to young professional in your department;
• Establishes and cultivates relations with relevant institutions and individuals, including project specific donors, grantees, and public or private sector partners;
• Supports and actively participates in new project development activities;
• Initiates and sets goals for programs based on the organization’s strategic objectives;
• Plans programs from start to finish, including identifying processes, deadlines and milestones;
• Participates in project design and evaluation of projects within or added to the managed portfolio;
• Defines criteria for control and management of the programs or projects;
• Maintains competence in one or more technical specialty areas common to field projects in the regions and provides technical assistance to field projects as requested.
• Manages the program or projects leaders’ performance and takes needed corrective action;
• Assumes any other duties as assigned by the VP Programs;
• Participates in Program Management Meetings and COP meetings and any other relevant platforms, as requested.

Job Requirements

• PhD in economics, agricultural economics, or a related field with a minimum of 15 years relevant working experience;
• Knowledge of the fertilizer policy sector, agriculture production and market systems is a must;
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Africa;
• At least five (5) years of proven leadership in program/project management and implementation of development projects in Sub-Saharan Africa is a must;
• Capacity to work in a matrix organization and to manage and motivate staff that is often under pressure to deliver while operating under challenging social and security circumstances;
• Knowledge of budgeting, accounting, project monitoring & evaluation, human resources procedures and principles, procurement and contracting, as well as relevant international donor regulations;
• Proven successful experience in project development and acquisition;
• Network of relevant donors, organizations and private sector partners in Africa and Asia;
• Demonstrated leadership skills;
• Strategic mindset;
• Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks;
• Problem-solving skills;
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to project implementation sites;
• High level of initiative and enthusiasm, adaptability and flexibility.

Reporting and Work Relationships

• The position will report to the Vice President, Global Programs.

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