Team Leader (INSPIRE Programme Director)

Team Leader (INSPIRE Programme Director)

GOAL

Jinja, Uganda

Team Leader (Integrated & Sustainable Production for Inclusive Resilient Economies (INSPIRE) Programme Director) – will lead a programme on resilient and inclusive economic development funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Kampala. GOAL and its consortium partner, Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) are currently at final stage of proposal development stage and inviting interested and qualified applicants to apply and final consideration will be subject to successful award. The programme will be for 5 years in duration and is estimated to begin September/October 2024.

The objective of the programme is to build climate resilient and more productive farming systems and livelihoods, with environmentally sustainable and commercially viable practices, as such sustainably increasing productivity and income of 200,000 smallholder farming households (SHF) in Busoga and Lango regions. The project is built around three components: A) Farmer household and farming systems; b) Sustainable land use, irrigation, and crop production; and c) Market and value chain development.

This role would suit a Programme Director with broad international experience in the agriculture sector, food security, livelihoods and at least 10 years at senior management level. The ideal candidate will have experience leading consortia and successfully delivering programme of similar complexity in similar contexts (preferably In Africa).

Strong preference is for candidates who have proven experience in the development of Small holder farmer and their farming systems, bottom-up participatory approaches, markets development programming, and climate smart crop and land use practice. We are seeking a Team Leader with a proven track record of providing strategic direction, building leadership and consensus; to take charge of program operations and supervise ALL program staff (including from other consortium partners).

Essential Job Functions

Strategy and Technical Leadership

• Overall strategic and technical leadership of all programme components including those of consortium and technical partners. Attain programme goal and objectives through the development, implementation, monitoring, reviews, presentation and management of strategic plans, programmes and projects by personal application and delegation of responsibility.
• Ensure technical quality of the programme across all components and consortium members.
• Recommend and lead implementation of programme priorities and explore, evaluate and present new country opportunities that leverage impact and/or complement core activities.

Program Management

• Ensure that there are efficient communication channels within the programme structure and with consortia partners;
• Ensure that the reporting schedule and programme objectives are verifiably achieved;
• Work with the grants management and finance teams to oversee partners granting and reporting;
• Manage all operations related to the programme according to the programme results framework, programme budget and implementation strategy;
• Monitor programme implementation, measure impact and calibrate programme strategy and implementation accordingly;
• Ensure that achievements and best practices are captured and disseminated including the continual re-evaluation of programme activities and information, with resulting activity adjustments;
• Ensure logistics, administration, human resources areas are conducted in accordance with GOAL policy and with the maximum benefit to the programme;
• Ensure all programme funds are spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations and are reasonable;
• Ensure accountability to project participants, adhering to international standards guiding development work. This includes understanding and following established international guidelines and actively engaging participating communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.

Team Management

• Build the capacity of the project team and consortia partners’ staff for a farmer participatory and market facilitative approach, embedding a learning culture following adaptive management principles;
• Manage the recruitment and training of programme staff to ensure staff are of the quality required for successful implementation of activities. Monitor and advise on staffing needs throughout the programme. Ensure evaluations and disciplinary measures are made, as necessary according to GOAL policy;
• Provide direct and ongoing supervision and managerial support to all staff in including consortium member staff.

Representation

• Represent the programme to the donor governance structures, partners and to key stakeholders ensuring good relations and accountability.

Essential Requirements

• At least 15 years of relevant experience (of which over 5 years are international) in agriculture, food security or livelihoods sector preferably within the region (Africa);
• At least 10 years senior management level including leading consortia and successfully delivering programmes of similar complexity in similar contexts (preferably In Africa) and have delivered good results;
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Rural Development, Development Studies, Social Science;
• Previous experience as Chief of Party or Director of prorgamme;
• Proven track record of providing strategic direction, building leadership and consensus; of delivering on Value For Money and; of understanding and interacting with sustainable and climate smart landscape management and adaptive learning;
• Practical experience managing consortia led grants, preferably for EKN;
• Experience in building and maintaining effective partnerships with implementing and strategic partner agencies, and government authorities and counterparts;
• Complex programme management and demonstrated success building, managing and leading a team of professionals using learning and adaptive management;
• Experience in People management, good at collaboration and a team player;
• Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.

Desirable

• Proven technical experience in delivering farmer household and farming system, sustainable land use, Market and value chain development programming, and experience in MSD;
• Working experience in Uganda or East Africa will be strongly preferred;
• Proven financial management skills;
• Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

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