FARA is the continental apex body for agricultural research and innovation in Africa. Its mission is to contribute to generating high, broad-based and sustainable agricultural growth by catalyzing improvements to the productivity and competitiveness of the sector through increased and effective application of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). FARA executes its mission by performing the following four functions: (i) advocacy for increased application of STI in agriculture which is a necessary condition for achieving national and continental development goals; (ii) strengthening the human, institutional and systemic capacities for agricultural innovation; (iii) facilitating the exchange of information and knowledge in STI for agriculture; and (iv) facilitating partnerships among research, innovation and agribusiness actors within Africa as well as between Africa and external regional or national entities.
FARA serves as one of the Implementing centres of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) project supported by the African Development Bank.
The Secretariat further serves as the Coordination Unit of the Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA) Project and many others.
Within the context of the AfDB-funded Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) and the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF), FARA has been mandated to serve as the Capacity Development Technology Outreach (CDTO) compact. Under the second phase of TAAT, the CDTO aims to strengthen capacities and facilitate outreach and scaling of nutritious climate-resilient agricultural technologies and good practices, through technical support along targeted TAAT value chains for increased agricultural productivity, access to quality seeds, GAP, household incomes and job creation supporting Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Additionally, the CDTO supports the implementation of the Transition Support Facility (TSF) of the AfDB.
To coordinate the activities driven by FARA in its programmes and projects, the organization is seeking to hire an Expert in Agribusiness.
Reporting to the Senior Technical Cluster Leader/Innovation Systems Specialist, the successful candidate shall inter-alia perform the following roles and responsibilities:
- Technical Oversight and Support:
- Provide technical oversight and act as a technical resource for integrating gender and social inclusion approaches into all FARA projects.
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- Provide support and oversight to the development of key project deliverables in addition to ensuring ongoing implementation, incorporating gender-sensitive and transformative approaches in line with FARA policies.
- Promote the development and operationalization of the agribusiness, gender, and youth engagement strategy.
2. Identify learning needs and build the capacity of Stakeholders and staff.
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- Lead research efforts to design innovative, high-quality approaches for gender integration into African agricultural systems.
- Analyze the status quo and convert knowledge to solutions to real-life issues on youth, gender, and agribusiness.
- Contribute to high-level knowledge products for diverse audiences, including reports, white papers, and other outputs, such as learning briefs and reader-friendly blogs.
- Carry out training activities on new models and methods for effective youth engagement in African agriculture.
- Develop, promote and train African agricultural stakeholders on innovative agribusiness models to ensure the profitability of farming.
- Collaborate with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) staff to develop learning questions, indicators, and other resources to ensure FARA program evaluation integrates gender and social inclusion
3. New business and projects
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- Provide technical guidance and support to proposal development in agribusiness, youth, gender, and social inclusion as a subject matter expert.
- Review the technical contributions of consultants or take on the role of lead writer, where
- Identify and meet with other organizations/donors to discover potential funding or partnership opportunities.
- As a cross-cutting function, you will undertake the implementation of agribusiness, youths, gender, and social exclusion functions in all FARA projects, including external partnerships and alliances.
4. External Outreach
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- Strategically promote FARA’s image as a learning organization with technical strengths in agribusiness, youth, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive agriculture and market systems.
- Foster good relationships with industry partners and individuals and participate in international and domestic meetings, workshops, and conferences.
- Any other duties as required by the Director of Research and Innovation and Management
Required
- A Master’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or a related field is required.
- At least eight (8) years of professional work experience in agribusiness development with an emphasis on value chain development, rural finance, and regional/international trade policy.
- Solid experience in gender mainstreaming and youth programmes.
- Knowledge of supply and value chains of agribusiness within Africa.
- Demonstrated practical knowledge of regional agribusiness firms.
- Experience working in an International organization or in a not-for-profit agribusiness.
- Demonstrated experience with gender mainstreaming in agriculture projects.
- Experience leading and building the capacity of teams of agriculture-focused; including remote, field-based personnel. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including demonstrated ICT skills.
Compensation
FARA offers a competitive salary and benefits in accordance with position and scale.
Location
The position is based at the FARA secretariat in Accra, Ghana.
Applications
Qualified candidates are invited to submit via email a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae together with a cover letter and names/contact details of three referees to Dr Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director, FARA, PMB CT 173, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana. Email: [email protected]
Applications will be assessed against the required skills, experience, and aptitudes set out above. Applications will be accepted up to 20th March 2023.
Due to the anticipated high volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Employment: there is no discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability or health status.
NB: Please quote in your application the reference code of the vacancy for which you are applying.
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VACANCY Announcement Agri-business and Gender Expert: Ref: FARA/ad/agribuz/2023/02