Senior Coordinator | ReliefWeb

African Union Commission – Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (AUC-DREA)

Recruitment of staff to strengthen AUC/DREA’s capacity to deliver

New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition Initiatives

Position:Senior Coordinator

Nationality: AU Member Countries Only

Location: Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia (with extensive regional and international travel)

Period of Performance:2 – 3 years (estimated begin date July 2015)

Background:

Public investment in agriculture and food security has significantly increased in Africa over the last decade. Although there is considerable impact being created, governments alone cannot forge the path to sustainable food security as agricultural transformation is a shared interest of the public and private sectors and presents a unique opportunity for a new model of partnership. The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition was launched in 2012 in order to:

· Reaffirm continued donor commitment to reducing poverty and hunger

· Accelerate implementation of key components of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP)

· Leverage the potential of responsible private investment to support development goals

· Help lift 50 million people out of poverty in Africa by 2022

· Achieve sustained inclusive, agriculture-led growth in Africa

The New Alliance is a partnership in which stakeholders commit to specific policy reforms and public and private investments that accelerate the implementation of African country food security strategies. These commitments, along with a set of [Enabling Actions](http://www.new-alliance.org/commitments#commitments_enabling actions), address key constraints to agriculture-led growth in Africa, including those that prevent smallholder farmers, particularly women, from increasing their productivity and accessing markets. The New Alliance directly contributes to and catalyzes the implementation of CAADP’s overarching goals to end hunger and halve poverty in Africa by 2025 as outlined in the 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agriculture Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods.

StrengtheningDREA’s capacity to deliver New Alliance initiatives

The African Union Commission’s Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (AUC-DREA) has developed a staffing plan to strengthen DREA’s capacity to deliver on the New Alliance initiative in support of CAADP and the 2014 Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods.

Responsibilities:

Under the operational responsibility of the Department of Rural Economy an Agriculture of the AUC, the joint technical guidance of the Director of Rural Economy and Agriculture and in close collaboration with the USAID Africa Lead II and The Head of Division, Rural Economy and Agriculture (African Union), the Senior Coordinator designated shall assist the African Union Commission in advancing implementation of the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition Initiatives in the context of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) at national, Regional Economic Communities (REC) and continental levels. More specifically, Senior Coordinator designated shall undertake a supportive role in the following activities:

Specific Technical Activities:

• Conduct orientation visits to each New Alliance and Grow Africa member country.


• Manage communication with all in-country New Alliance lead groups on behalf of co-leads.


• Provide in-country implementation support to bolster implementation of New Alliance tenets and guidance


• Oversee consultations and coordination with different stakeholder groups on the New Alliance, including civil society organizations and private sector partners in alignment with CAADP goals and the Malabo commitments


• Oversee the drafting of guidance documents on New Alliance implementation, and manage input from co-leads and other stakeholders.


• Oversee the drafting and review of any global New Alliance reports on behalf of co-leads and in close consultation with country lead groups, the Grow Africa partnership, ReSAKSS, donors and implementing partners.


• Work with various CAADP implementing partners to ensure integration of New Alliance reporting and accountability into the CAADP Mutual Accountability/Joint Sector Review process.


• Oversee monitoring and evaluation of New Alliance implementation and outcomes


• Oversee effective communication with New Alliance stakeholders through the New Alliance Working Group.


• Provide technical direction and support to DREA and New Alliance partners on New Alliance initiatives and facilitate technical support, training and development.


• Represent DREA in relevant external meetings and contribute to developing relationships with external partners, media, statutory agencies and regional organisations, particularly related to New Alliance Initiatives and also to overall DREA initiatives that relate to CAADP and the Malabo Declaration commitments.


• Oversee the development of agendas, logistics, and follow-up for Leadership Council meetings on behalf of Leadership Council co-conveners.


• Oversee research and evidence development to inform New Alliance programming and policy development in collaboration with partner organisations and the New Alliance Co-Leads.


• Oversee the design and implementation of the New Alliance learning framework.


• Work with Divisions within DREA to identify and lead technical support for country CAADP implementation, New Alliance initiatives, operations and production and sharing of various New Alliance communication products

Program Development and Management Tasks:

• Offer guidance to the Program Analyst and Project Assistant on the interpretation and implementation of CAADP, Malabo Declaration and New Alliance (NA) for Food Security procedures

• Coordinate the development of strategies, workplans and budgets related to DREA’s support for New Alliance in line with AUC procedures and input from the co-leads, Leadership Council, Working Group members, and country lead groups.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant agencies at the continental, regional (Regional Economic Communities) and country level.

• Lead and inspire DREA’s New Alliance support team in the development and delivery of program activities; work plans; targets; and monitor progress of staff through regular supervision and annual performance appraisals.

• Actively participate in DREA’s Senior Management Team meetings, and other AUC meetings as required. Participate in wider organisational discussions and decision-making – including representing the interests and welfare of DREA and those discussions related to DREA’s support for New Alliance initiatives.

• Involve NA country leads/Grow Africa in capacity building training programs of AUC/DREA on New Alliance issues to grow capacity and strengthen working relationships

• Line manage the Program Analyst and Project Assistant working in DREA to support the New Alliance initiatives and maintain regular communications with both.

• Develop interpersonal and technical skills of the Program Analyst and Project Assistant as necessary

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

The Senior Coordinator will be part of the performance based programme within DREA, which is dependent on individual and team core competencies.

Qualifications, Background and Experience:

· Minimum 8 years of experience contributing to multifaceted international development programs and be familiar with multilateral and donor-funded programs.

· Advanced degree or equivalent (PhD preferred) in agricultural policy, agricultural economics, international development, public policy or other relevant field.

• Background in agricultural development, public administration, or international affairs.

• Minimum of 8 years of technical experience in agricultural development, private sector participation, strategic planning, performance management, institutional development, capacity development, leadership, results management, and monitoring and evaluation of projects

• Experience in multi-stakeholder processes, coalition building, policy reform and advocacy, and civil society/non-state actor development

• Experience communicating at high-levels of government and multilateral organizations

• Knowledge of recent global, regional and country level developments and policy processes, protocols, goals and frameworks including CAADP and the Malabo Declaration

• Previous experience on donor funded projects and experience in, and knowledge of, African development issues.

Skills:

• Knowledge or understanding of social, economic, and political context governing agriculture and food security issues in Africa

• Excellent interpersonal skills, leadership, negotiation, creative problem solving, conflict resolution and ethical management skills

• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively and problem solve across stakeholder groups

• Ability to analyse issues and formulate concrete recommendations orally and in writing.

• Specific experience and specialization in government procedures, capacity building, agricultural policy reform and implementation, food security, public education/awareness, and/or monitoring and evaluation of food security programs;

• Computer literate in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Microsoft Office)

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Full proficiency in English is required. French proficiency would be a significant advantage

The successful candidate should demonstrate a commitment to:

• The values and vision of AUC, CAADP, Malabo Declaration and New Alliance for Food Security in respect to agricultural transformation and food security in Africa.


• Constructively challenging social and political attitudes and structures that impede responsible partnerships for agricultural transformation and food security in Africa.


• Ensure equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and promote diversity