Deputy Director General Partnerships for Delivery/Scaling

Deputy Director General Partnerships for Delivery/Scaling (Ref. No: P4D/DDG/P4D/S/5/24)

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Deputy Director General Partnerships for Delivery/Scaling.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of the One CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Please visit https://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

The Partnership for Delivery/Scaling (P4D/S) directorate coordinates the dissemination of demand driven technologies and innovations at scale that will facilitate agricultural transformation, create jobs and wealth. The directorate fosters and nurtures the development of partnerships between and among public and private actors in ways that fosters uptake of research output for impact and scaling. We are looking for an experienced specialist who will be responsible for coordinating, planning, and leading IITA’s P4D/S, which include the Business Incubation Platform (BIP), the Development and Delivery Office, the Youth in Agribusiness Office, the Capacity Development Office, the Mechanization Office, the Project Development and Administration Office, and the Communication Office. The directorate also co-manages 13 thematic Programs, hosted by three Science Areas (Genetic Innovation, Resilient Agri-food Systems, and System Transformation). Those programs assemble R4D scientists and P4D/S specialists on common thematic areas and are set up to facilitate the transfer of R4D solutions to P4D/S partnerships and vice versa. We are looking for a highly experienced, connected, flexible, forward-looking, and motivated leader of the directorate. A people person with excellent interpersonal skills.

As a member of IITA’s Senior Management Team (SMT), the Deputy Director General Partnerships for Delivery/Scaling will report directly to the Director General, providing regular updates on key Partnerships for Scaling/Delivery initiatives, progress, challenges, and matters as required.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Management:

• Lead effective collaboration with development partners across the public and private sectors.

• Work alongside the Director of Strategic Planning and the Chief of Staff, as well as other necessary members of the Senior Management Team, to facilitate the development and implementation of partnerships, communication, and capacity-building initiatives from the perspective of the Director-General's office.

Interactions with Research for Development (R4D):

• Enhance collaborations with IITA Research for Development (R4D) to boost research impact.

• Ensure seamless interactions with R4D to maintain an efficient flow of innovations progressing towards P4D for scaling and delivery.

• Promote active participation of P4D/S staff in various IITA programs where R4D and P4D/S teams converge around shared interests.

Leadership in Transition:

• Lead the integration of Partnerships for Delivery/Scaling into One CGIAR, positioning IITA as a leading organization for technology delivery and scaling in Africa.

• Utilize essential elements such as:

• TAAT model

• Business Incubation Platform (BIP)

• Youth in Agribusiness

• Communication

• Capacity Development

• Development and Delivery

• Mechanization

Adaptive Leadership and Program Integration:

• Spearhead the alignment of Partnerships for Delivery/Scaling with the CGIAR Mega Program on Demand-led Scaling.

• Manage transitions within IITA’s role in One CGIAR as required.

Resource Mobilization and Project Coordination:

• Manage fundraising initiatives, including developing proposals for bilateral donors and obtaining funds from multilateral financial institutions such as IFAD, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and African Development Bank.

• Collaborate with country-specific bilateral projects to guarantee consistency, efficiency and alignment.

Operational Supervision: Manage several key departments:

• Business Incubation Platform (BIP).

• Development and Delivery Office.

• Youth in Agribusiness Office.

• STEP (Start them early) Office.

• TAAT (Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation) Office

Co-supervise with the DDG-R4D:

• Capacity Development Office.

• Communication Office.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Impact Assessment Office.

• Data/GIS, and analytics Office.

• Digitalization Office.

• Gender Office.

External Relations and Representation:

• Act as the main point of contact with external organizations and stakeholders.

• Represent IITA in all aspects concerning Partnerships for Scaling/Delivery.

• Undertake any other duties as assigned by the IITA Director General.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

• A PhD in agricultural science or any other related field. At least 20 years of progressive experience in agriculture, partnerships, and scaling, ideally in a similar international or research-focused environment, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership position, preferably in a similar role.

Core Competencies and Qualities

• Strong knowledge of agricultural scaling practices.

• Proven ability to develop successful partnerships and execute scaling.

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and build effective teams.

• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and functions, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to make sound judgments and decisions.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and preferably at least basic knowledge of French.

• Demonstrate the confidence in their convictions and the integrity to express themselves to peers and superiors even if it is easier or more comfortable to refrain from speaking up.

• Ability to lead the Partnerships for Delivery/Scaling directorate for impact and to provide on-going clarity and vision to the team and create an energizing and empowering work environment.

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent leadership and communication abilities.

Duty Station: IITA-Headquarters, Ibadan, Nigeria.

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Applications: Applications must include a cover letter, which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, People and Culture. Please complete our online application form using this link: https://apply.workable.com/iita/#jobs

Closing Date: 8th June 2024

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women.

While all applications will be acknowledged, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.