Africa’s growth requires increased investments in skills and capacity for sustainable development in agriculture. In this report, DANIEL ESSIET examines how innovative research and capacity building could help Africa respond to the challenges of food security and climate change.
The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has forecast that global food production will need to be increased by 70 per cent to meet the growing population expected to hit 9.1 billion by 2050.
Executive Director, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, based in Ghana, is one of those pushing for greater deployment of bio-scientists to address food security to ensure that Nigeria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa grew enough to feed future generations. He has been pushing this with bio-scientists working in crop and livestock industries.
The Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), in partnership with West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), has canvassed the need for crop improvement and seed sector development in Africa to increase productivity.
To provide enough food for Africa, with very limited natural resources, AGRA wants research institutions to breed crops that can help farmers get the highest yield of production. This has led also to the development of crops that are pest and disease resistant as well as drought-tolerant.
When agro and food firms want to produce top-grade cereals, an Imo State University-based crop expert, Prof Martins Onuh, urged that they should join hands with researchers.
Such partnerships, according to him, would deliver new varieties with higher yields.
Top agro firms seeking higher yields from cassava turn to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for support and collaboration.
This year, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, NABG, and IITA resolved to partner on research solutions and technology to boost agribusiness.
NABG President Emmanuel Ijewere, who confirmed this, said: “The essence of the partnership is whatever is good should not be kept in the drawer or in secret. It must be brought out to people to improve their lives, and IITA has been in Nigeria for many years and has done many research that have improved the agricultural space and have so many potential, but, unfortunately, those who are supposed to benefit from it, don’t know so much about it because the more you the more you ask.
“NABG, being a private sector organisation, we ran to our brothers in IITA, saying, ‘those things you have discovered over the years, ‘tell us about them let us see how we can make money from it’. Working with them closely, we intend to translate what the research has produced.”
Institutions such as IITA provide professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise in food production, such as bio-scientists, who work with farmers, academics and experts to find more opportunities in the food production system.
Bio-sciences describe several biology-related disciplines such as agriculture, biochemistry, biotechnology, medicine and genomics engaged in real scientific advancement.
More farmers have benefited from IITA‘s works, thanks to its significant investment in bio-sciences research. Its experts have earned international recognition for their roles in developing new technologies, used around the world.
The institute has continued to support cutting-edge research and innovation, future researchers, and demonstrate the relevance and value of bio-sciences in delivering significant economic benefits for the agricultural sector.
The IITA–CGIAR Bio-science Centre held training on basic molecular biology techniques for Master’s and doctorate students from various African universities at the IITA, Ibadan campus. This year’s workshop accommodated 16 students. They were trained by nine IITA Bio-science staff, including Director of IITA West Africa Hub and Head of Bioscience Centre, Michael Abberton, and Bio-science Laboratory Manager Yemi Fajire.
As part of its commitment to supporting agricultural innovations in the country, the Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a partnership with Iowa State University (ISU) to train 10 Nigerian scientists and regulators. This is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Nigeria and assisting policymakers, researchers, and technical experts to understand the role of modern biotechnology in agricultural innovation.
Also, the Kenya-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is training bio-scientists. Its Director-General, Jimmy Smith, pointed out that the continent had enormous opportunities to transform itself by mobilizing bio-sciences. ILRI’s Bio-sciences eastern and central Africa Hub (BecA-ILRI) in Kenya aims at strengthening African research capacity building in agriculture, knowledge and innovation systems to achieve food and nutrition security, and increase research in crop improvement, and livestock productivity, food safety, climate change mitigation and sustainable environmental management.
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Morroco through training is developing bio-sciences researchers to develop sustainable solutions to promote agriculture. The collaboration with leading universities in agro-bio-sciences provides access and transfer of solutions for farmers and ranchers.
Swiss agribusiness Syngenta has been addressing Nigeria’s food insecurity by fuelling innovation among experts and applying advanced analytics in biochemistry and agriculture.
The Centre for Agriculture and Bio-sciences International (CABI)-led a research prioritised 120 potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) that could pose a threat to agriculture and biodiversity in Kenya.
Since the research was conducted in 2018, four pest species have been found to be in Kenya. These are two arthropods (red gum lerp psyllid and the spotted wing drosophila) and two pathogenic organisms (the bacterial species, P. parmentieri and the viroid, potato spindle tuber viroid).
Pests being managed include the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) – where an AgBiTech/CABI partnership under the Action on Invasives programme in Kenya and South Sudan has seen the baculovirus product Fawligen prove effective against the pests.
The centre has brought global attention to the use of eco-friendly and cost-effective bio-control options.
Agricorp Chief Executive Kenneth Obiajulu supports the growth of a strong and competitive sciences sector, with cutting-edge bio-manufacturing capabilities.
His desire is for the government and the private sector to drive innovation and scale up training activities in the agric sector that would help translate commercially-promising research into new products to drive the growth of agriculture.
He called for innovation centres in agriculture where entrepreneurs, academic researchers, innovators and agro enterprises can access a full spectrum of services, including scientific expertise and research infrastructure.
He believes Nigeria has a diverse talent pipeline which needs to be supported to transform innovative ideas into the agricultural discoveries of tomorrow.
The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria, Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) and the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, are working on maize value chain to reduce risk for farmers.EU mandated the Alliance of European Universities and Research Centres specialising in agricultural research for development (Agrinatura) to undertake a detailed overview of the maize value chain from the economic, social and environmental point of view.
The study was conducted by a team of national and international experts from Agrinatura. The report acknowledged that Nigeria remains one of the world’s leading maize producers, especially of non-genetically modified white maize.
However, with demand on the rise, both as food and from the processing industry, the country is still exposed to risks of supply shortfall.According to Agrinatura, the study generated evidence-based knowledge to help policymakers underpin and fine-tune policy actions and interventions in the value chain to enhance its sustainable and inclusive development.
“The VCA4D analysis provides a baseline, useful to appreciate the evolution of the sector over time, also in contexts of investment (like the one promoted by EDFI AgriFi).
The maize value chain plays a vital role in the local cereal market, in terms of food supply for the population, livelihoods for the rural population, food security of the country, and regular source of additional income to subsistence farmers.
Arcadia Bio-sciences, Inc. and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) have been driving rice varieties for smallholder farmers in Africa. Using its bio-science expertise, the company provides improved rice lines to African research collaborators for field-testing.
The partnership has led to increased rice productivity, improved profitability for farmers, and benefits the environment. Both organisations are determined to solve the challenges of availability of new agricultural technologies to African farmers.
The organisations believe salt-tolerant African rice provides substantial economic benefits to smallholder African farmers by reducing total input costs and increasing yields.
America’s largest organization of journalists and media professionals of color has named the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) a “Salute to Excellence” award winner for the Bank’s communication around its Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation program.
The National Association of Black Journalists cited the Bank’s excellence in online media relations and marketing about the landmark initiative, also known as TAAT. The online campaign featured the impact of TAAT delivering climate-smart agricultural technologies to millions of African farmers, helping African nations grow more food. The awards were announced on Saturday at a gala event during the joint convention of the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“This recognition from the National Association of Black Journalists comes at a time when African and global food security are at risk due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Our Bank communications help tell the world, through the stories of African farmers participating in the TAAT program, that Africa has solutions to boost its food production and reduce dependence on grain imports from the Black Sea region,” said Dr. Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development.
“The Salute to Excellence award also honors Bank staff, consultants and partners working within these communities to improve the quality of life for the people of Africa. Their expertise helped shape our communications campaign,” Dunford added.
In July, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved $30 million in new financing for the TAAT program, which overall aims to increase Africa’s food output by 100 million tons and lift 40 million people out of poverty by 2025.
The Bank’s digital campaign showcases some of the millions of African farmers benefitting from TAAT-funded, climate-adapted wheat, maize and other certified seed varieties, fertilizers and technical support since the program started in 2018.
The campaign’s lead video looks at TAAT operations in Sudan and Ethiopia, where government-led collaboration with the Bank and partners is scaling up wheat production to record-breaking levels. In Ethiopia, TAAT helped seed companies to produce and distribute enough heat-tolerant, certified wheat varieties and helped farmers to expand production across more areas last season, allowing Ethiopia to grow enough of the grain to eliminate wheat imports for the first time in modern history. The country’s embrace of TAAT should see Ethiopia export wheat in 2023.
The National Association of Black Journalists’ Salute to Excellence award is the third international communications recognition for the Bank’s TAAT initiative. TAAT earned a “Gold Stevie” – first place – for “Best Documentary” from the International Business Awards, as well as a “Communicator Award of Distinction” for online video from the New York-based Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts.
“We intend for TAAT to produce more success stories, as we scale it up to have a central role in the Bank’s $1.5 billion African Emergency Food Production Facility (). The Facility is the Bank’s bold response to help African nations produce more food to mitigate the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine on global food systems, rising prices across the continent, and climate change,” said Dr. Martin Fregene, the Bank’s Director for Agriculture and Agro-Industry.
“We believe communications is key to informing African governments, our stakeholders and investors about the impact of the Bank’s programs in the communities we serve,” Fregene added.
Watch the TAAT video here:
The Bank was also nominated for a Salute to Excellence Award in the competition’s “online commentary” category for a selection of published op-eds authored by Bank President Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, Vice President Dunford and former Acting Vice President Wambui Guchiri.
The Salute to Excellence Awards recognize journalism and communications that best cover the Black experience or address issues affecting the Black community worldwide.
The National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Convention & Career Fair is the premier conference for journalism education, career development, networking, and industry innovation, attracting leaders and influencers in journalism, marketing and communications, media, technology, business, health, arts, and entertainment.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Mediacontact:
Alphonso Van Marsh
Principal Digital Content and Events Officer
African Development Bank
Email: [email protected]
About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 37 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states.
Professor Theresia Nkuo-Akenji, RUFORUM Board Chair and Vice Chancellor University of Bamenda in Cameroon today announced the appointment of Dr. Patrick Okori as the next RUFORUM Executive Secretary effective 01 January 2023. He will replace Prof. Adipala Ekwamu who has been serving as the Executive Secretary since the founding of RUFORUM in 2004 by 10 Universities Vice Chancellors in five countries of Eastern and Southern Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda and Zimbabwe). RUFORUM has since expanded to 150 Member Universities in 38 African Countries spanning the African Continent. RUFORUM core function is to support strengthening human and research capacity in the areas of agriculture, science, technology and innovation.
Dr. Patrick Okori is a Ugandan national who received his doctoral degree from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala in 2004. He received his BSc Agriculture and MSc Crop Science degrees from Makerere University in Uganda in 1994 and 1997, respectively. Patrick is an international academic expert in curriculum and program design, educator, trainer, research innovator and scientific leader. During his formative years, Patrick worked at Makerere University, where he played a key role in institutional reform, both in research and training. Patrick led the review and development of graduate training programmes in genetics and plant breeding, leading to the recognition by East African Community in 2007 of Makerere University’s Plant Breeding Centre, as one its Centres of Excellence. Subsequently, the World Bank recognized and supports it as one of its African Higher Education Centres of Excellence. As a science leader, Patrick established one of the largest multi-disciplinary research programme at Makerere University to underpin training and research. In 2012, Patrick was recognized by Makerere University for his contribution to rebuilding the image of Makerere University.
Patrick is a Principal Scientist with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT). ICRISAT is one of the main international agricultural research centres in dryland research. He is the Deputy Director of ICRISAT’s Global Research Programme on Accelerated Crop Improvement and currently manages it as the Interim Program Director. He is an expert in plant breeding whose team has commercialized over 30 varieties of legumes, especially groundnut, that are widely grown in eastern and southern Africa. Patrick is also an expert in technology scaling-out, whose team reaches out annually to over 50,000 households with different products and services (seed systems, agribusiness development, and market led development management). As a science leader he has also led the revamping of groundnut breeding and research for development programmes in Malawi, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya, DR Congo, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Patrick is also a thought leader who has been involved in high level planning, strategy and visioning for national, regional, continental and global agencies. He has contributed to new thrusts and visioning of futures at Makerere University, RUFORUM, ASARECA, FARA, COMESA, AU (AU-NEPAD- CAADP country investment plans), the CGIAR and ICRISAT. Early in his career, Patrick was part of the team that developed the Eastern Africa’s premier agriculture bio-policy and bio-innovation research programme, called BIOINNOVATE. In 2016, Patrick was recognized by RUFORUM for significantly contributing to the vision and implementation of capacity-building programmes for Africa. He led the conceptualisation and design of the RUFORUM Regional Training Programmes, many of which have since transitioned to become Africa’s Higher Education Centres of Excellence.
Patrick is also familiar with the engagement of Africa’s development partners both in agriculture and human resource development. RUFORUM takes this opportunity to welcome Dr Okori as its next Executive Secretary.
Consultancy to Develop a Framework for Establishing Agribusiness Learning Alliances
Name of Project:
FARA/TETFUND/ARIFA
Activity Ref No:
TetfundARIFA Project/Activity 1.2.10
Procurement Ref:
FARA/TETFUND/ARIFA/CS/IC/2022/01
Date:
Monday, July 04, 2022
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is implementing the Agricultural Research and Innovation Fellowship for Africa (ARIFA). Under this partnership, TETFund supports Nigerian scientists’ training in a tailor-made postgraduate (MSc/Ph.D.) degree program in various fields of sciences related to agriculture at Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV)-Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil. With the expansion of the program to broader areas of learning and the development of a model for its scaling in other countries, the science-business nexus of the program shall depend on a robust strategy that feeds into its Innovation Platform component. FARA and its partners, recognize that: (a) strong engagement of agribusinesses in agriculture research and innovation is a condition for improved performance of the agriculture research system; (b) the linkages between agricultural research and agribusiness in Africa are weak; and (c) strengthening these linkages is an important pathway for enhancing the development outcomes of research. Therefore, the establishment of alliances for strengthening innovation platforms by increasing research on business linkages is essential.
As such, FARA draws from the lessons learned through the implementation of University Business and Research in Agricultural Innovation (UniBRAIN), Programme for Accompanying Research and Agricultural Innovation (PARI), and Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) to establish Agri-Business Learning Alliances (ABLA). These alliances will help facilitate the linkage of ARIFA fellows with the Brazil-Africa Agribusiness & Innovation Network (BRAIN) through establishing a national and a regional Agribusiness Learning Alliance. An Agribusiness Learning Alliance seeks to facilitate the process of establishing and strengthening strategic linkages among the private sector, researchers, civil society and extensionists. This sets an environment to identify and define market issues around the innovation, link innovation to specific developmental pathways and create profitable businesses for improved farmer livelihoods. The ARIFA ABLA will be mirrored based on the Viçosa model of Junior Business Group (JBUG).
Consequently, FARA is seeking the service of a high-level consultant to facilitate the development of a Framework for Establishing Agribusiness Learning Alliances.
The central objective of this assignment is to develop a framework for establishing Agribusiness Learning Alliances and package training materials while considering the inclusion of women and youth entrepreneurs. The concept will use the Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS) approach to connect, build capacity, and co-create with partners and stakeholders.
This request for expression of interest aims at engaging a consultant to carry out the following functions:
Collect and review the capacity gap assessment report and ARIFA documents for establishing Agribusiness Learning Alliances.
Contribute to conceptualization/design of a framework for establishing Agribusiness Learning Alliances.
Develop a framework for establishing Agribusiness Learning Alliances.
Develop slide decks alongside the ABLA framework for capacity-building of key stakeholders.
Facilitate a forum with key stakeholders for awareness creation and sensitization.
The detailed terms of reference is in the link below:
The Executive Director of FARA invites interested consultants to express interest in carrying out this assignment.
Consultants interested in this call must provide an Expression of Interest no longer than 10 pages, outlining proposed methodologies, references related to the execution of similar contracts, experience in similar areas, or evidence of knowledge and a proposed timeline. Brochures, CVs, and other supplementary materials submitted shall not be accounted for as part of the 10-page limit.
The anticipated period of performance for this consultancy is 20 man-days spread over two months (1st August 2022 to 30th September 2022).
The individual consultant shall be selected based on procedures defined in the Procurement Guidelines of FARA.
Interested consultants may obtain further information from FARA’s Agribusiness Expert, Karen Munoko [[email protected]], and copy the Procurement Expert, Mr. Callistus Achaab [[email protected]], during the following hours: 9h00 to 16h00 GMT.
Please download the Terms of Reference below, for further information on this opportunity.
Expressions of Interest should be submitted electronically to [[email protected]] and addressed to Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director of FARA, No 7 Flower Avenue, New Achimota, Mile 7, Accra, Ghana, no later than Monday, 18th July 2022, at 14h00 GMT. Tel: +233 302 772823/744888
FARA Affirmative Action Statement on Recruitment: there is no discrimination based on gender race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability, or health status.
The Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) was today received at the South Africa High Commission in Accra Ghana by Her Excellency Grace Jeanet Mason, High Commission of the Republic of South Africa in Ghana.
The aim of the visit by the FARA delegation was to provide an update on the ‘State of Preparedness’ of the African Agribusiness and Science week scheduled to take place in June 2023 in Durban South Africa.
The event will also feature the engagement of the global bodies – Global Forum for Agricultural Research, Young Professional in Agricultural Research for Development, etc
It will be recalled that South Africa successfully played host to a series of FARA-led-led continent-wide events in the past. The forthcoming series of agribusiness fair and science week will initiate a new dispensation of the innovation-to-impact theory of change as an annual event spanning over the next five years in South Africa.
The support of the South African Convention Bureau and the South African High Commission is gratefully acknowledged.
From L-R Mr Thando Dalamba,(Deputy High Commissioner) H E Grace Jeanet Mason (High Commissioner), Dr Yemi Akinbamijo (Executive Director, FARA) and Mrs Vesta Nunoo (Grants and Compliance Manager, FARA) during the briefing session at the High Commission.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the apex continental organization responsible for coordinating and advocating for agricultural research for development (AR4D). FARA serves as the technical arm of the Africa Union Commission and the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD on matters concerning agriculture science, technology, and innovation. In this capacity, FARA served as the lead institution for the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) workstream on agriculture research, technology dissemination and adoption (Pillar IV). FARA currently serves as convenor of CAADP’s technical network on research and extension and coordinates the operationalization of the Science Agenda for Agriculture in Africa.
Established in 2002 and headquartered in Accra, Ghana, FARA provides a platform for stakeholders in Africa’s agricultural research and innovation to dialogue, network, form partnerships, and engage in collective actions, to respond to opportunities and challenges confronting the continent’s agriculture and food systems. In addition, FARA articulates Africa’s position in global agriculture research and innovation forums such as the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and other related fora such as the UNFSS, COP etc.
OVERALL PURPOSE
The objective of this assignment is to engage an individual who will provide strategic leadership and management to achieve FARA’s mission. He/she will develop and maintain strategic relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders (policymakers, National Agricultural Research and Extension Institutions, farmers, private sector, NGOs, universities, sub-regional organizations, CGIAR, development partners, etc.) that FARA partners with and relies on to achieve its goals.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND INSTITUTIONAL LEADERSHIP
Lead the development and implementation of the Forum’s strategy
Provide vision and leadership in strategic and operational planning and implementation.
Lead the identification of key strategic objectives and long-range strategic plans/objectives for FARA (the forum)
Develop key performance indicators (KPI) and milestones to measure the progress and delivery of identified strategies and objectives.
Direct and provide guidance on the FARA secretariat’s day to day operations.
Oversee implementation of the secretariat’s risk management strategy, ensuring that institutional and operational risks are identified, managed, and mitigated.
Ensure zero tolerance for corruption, financial mismanagement, and other forms of misconduct.
Promote a work culture that is aligned with FARA’s value proposition and strategic direction. Develop, review, and oversee the implementation of FARA’s strategic plan and deploy sound procedures for change and growth.
Conceptualize and deliver approaches for maintaining the apex role of FARA on the continent.
Build and enhance strategic partnerships, as well as ensure FARA’s visibility and competitive positioning within relevant sectors.
Serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors
2. OPERATIONAL, PROGRAMMATIC AND HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Oversee the operational and human resource management of the FARA secretariat keeping with the institutional policy and procedure
Supervise the Senior Management Team
Ensure that the secretariat has the right talent for current and emerging needs, through effective recruitment and selection processes
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agreements.
Ensure high staff morale and staff equity and efficiency through regular review of terms of employment, incentives, staff policies and procedures and upgrading of skills as required
Oversee the preparation of progress reports on the implementation of FARA’s programs for presentation to the Board of Directors.
Ensure standards operational practices are in place and reviewed on a regular basis to improve the overall performance of the Institution.
Ensure the compliance with Board approved rules and regulations for management of the secretariat.
Ensure effective communication between management and staff for promoting a service orientation culture within the secretariat.
Create an accountability framework for staff and be ultimately responsible to the Board for the general performance of the secretariat.
3. GOVERNANCE ENHANCEMENT
Act as a liaison between the FARA secretariat and the Board of Directors.
Provide, as the chief spokesperson on continental issues of agricultural research and development, support to the chairperson of the Board of Directors.
Organize, plan, and manage all the meetings of the FARA secretariat, in consultation with the Chair of the Board.
Ensure that sufficient information is provided to the Board for it to make appropriate decisions.
Provide leadership in the implementation of Board decisions.
Regularly appraise the Board on the Secretariat’s risk management efforts, including strategic and operational risks.
Act as the secretary for the Board of Directors. ii). Keep the Board informed of the progress in managing the affairs and implementation of the mandate. iii). Provide administrative and technical support to the Chairperson and the Board. As Secretary to the Board, Support the Chairperson of the Board of Directors to formulate and circulate the agenda for the meetings of the Board of Directors.
4. FINANCIAL, RISK, AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
Provide leadership in the management of the Secretariat’s financial resources to ensure a sustainability of the institution.
Ensure that the expenditures of FARA are within the Board approved annual budget.
Oversee the preparation of annual work-plans, budgets, and financial statements of FARA for presentation to and approval by the Board of Directors.
Oversee assessment of the principal risks of FARA and ensure that these risks are being monitored and managed.
Ensure that effective internal financial control and management information systems are in place.
Ensure that FARA has appropriate systems to enable it to conduct its activities both lawfully and ethically.
Ensure that accurate, timely and well‐supported financial reports are produced and distributed in accordance with existing financial and administrative policies and procedures.
Ensure that the FARA’s accounts are properly audited, as stipulated by the by‐laws and financial procedures.
Ensure that FARA reliably achieves its objectives, addresses ambiguity, acts with integrity in line with policies and processes and ensure adherence to the hosting agreements.
Identify and mitigate or exploit risks that could hinder or benefit FARA in achieving its objectives.
5. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Serve as the principal interlocutor for FARA in continental, sub-regional, regional economic communities (RECs) and other international fora, to increase its visibility and collective action, more broadly.
Promote and nurture partnership with relevant institutions involved in agricultural research and innovation programs in the AR4D landscape and at sub-regional, continental, and global levels.
Undertake frequent travels to represent FARA in relevant fora and bilateral meetings.
6. RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT, RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
Mobilize and leverage the power of relationships and networks across both public and private sectors, to elevate FARA’s impact and brand.
Oversee the design and rolling out of fundraising strategies to support the delivery of FARA’s mission.
7. MANAGEMENT OF PEOPLE, FINANCE, SYSTEMS
Ensure that appropriate strategic and operational responsibilities are designed for FARA staff, finances, and systems, which support the growth of programs and ensure efficiencies.
Ensure the establishment of effective systems to track and evaluate FARA’s performance and provide direction to ensure the institutional visibility, viability, financial and operational health of the organization.
Oversee the maintenance of a healthy, productive, and supportive work environment and culture that mentors, nurtures, and enables staff to reach their potential.
8. DURATION OF APPOINTMENT
The Executive Director of FARA is appointed by the FARA General Assembly upon recommendation of the Board, following a competitive world-wide international recruitment and selection procedure. Appointment will be based on a fixed-term contract, not to exceed five (5) years, with the option for one renewal, also not to exceed five (5) years.
9. LOCATION
The Executive Director will be located at the FARA secretariat in Accra-Ghana
10. REPORTING
The Executive Director position reports to the Board through the Board chair.
11. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF THE CANDIDATE
The individual will be required to possess the following:
Education
Post graduate qualification in agricultural, biological, social and economic sciences, or related fields from a recognized university.
Relevant Experience
PhD and or MBA is an added advantage
At least fifteen (15) years of demonstrable leadership experience in technical agricultural research for development, ten (10) of which should be in a senior leadership, organisational/ people management, and coordination role, in a similar or aligned organization.
Experience in a similar position at continental level is preferred.
Proven understanding of FARA’s programmes and projects, strategic direction and mandate
Good understanding of the dynamics between FARA, the SROs, AFAAS and other institutions in the African AR&D ecosystem
Demonstrated strong understanding of agricultural research for development issues in Africa.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to build consensus and manage conflict.
A strong record and evidence of fundraising experience especially with African partners and the international community
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain partnerships.
Required Competencies
To succeed in this role, the candidate will demonstrate:
Ability to define clear goals and inspire people to achieve them.
Exceptional interpersonal and team-working skills, with a proven ability to motivate, earn trust and enthuse whilst delegating appropriately to focus on strategic issues
Profound knowledge of and commitment to the CAADP- Malabo Commitments within the context of the AR4D fraternity and understanding of broader CAADP XP4.
Innovative Finance and Resource Mobilization skills and ability that can drive to seek new revenue streams and business models
Leadership , strategic thinking, and People management skills
Planning and coordination skills
Networking, negotiation, and diplomatic skills
Financial management skills
Effective presentation and report-writing skills
Result‐oriented, professional, accountable, and proactive.
Ability to influence and manage expectations with senior leadership.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently individually and with multi‐disciplinary teams in diverse cultural environments and drive action to accomplish goals for collective success.
Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and patience
Willingness and ability to work under stress and ability to travel extensively.
Credibility and influence with donors, investors, national stakeholders, and partner organizations.
Sound operational, financial and risk management
Skills and control responsibility.
Proven ability to translate vision into effective strategy.
Ability to multi‐task and prioritize work amidst competing demands.
Working knowledge of AU languages (French, English, Arabic) is an added advantage.
Applications
Applicants are invited to send a letter of motivation illustrating their suitability in relation to the qualifications listed and their detailed curriculum vitae, , together with the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three referees to the following address:
We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we particularly encourage applications from qualified women and underrepresented communities. The salary is commensurate with the seniority of the appointment.
