About AGRA
AGRA and its Work
AGRA is an African-led institution that actively supports the drive towards inclusive agricultural transformation and sustainable food systems. We do this by empowering the continent’s 33 million smallholder farming households to transform their agriculture from a struggle to survive to profitable businesses. The continent’s farmers regularly face challenges, and we aspire to provide uniquely African solutions that respond to their agricultural and environmental challenges, leading to increased harvests for reduced hunger and more income.
Working in alignment with the development priorities of our focus countries, we enable farmers to access improved and high-yielding seeds, gain knowledge on sustainable farming, and linkages to profitable markets.
In our work, we aspire to build the alliances, partnerships, and networks required to drive an inclusive agricultural transformation. We work with our partners to create an equitable youth-friendly environment that harnesses the youth dividend on the continent to drive growth and facilitate open employment opportunities for young women and men. We achieve our key objectives through a focus on the following four areas of intervention:
- Policy and state capability – We support governments in creating an enabling environment for private sector involvement in agricultural transformation.
- Seed systems – We trigger higher productivity by increasing the availability and access to improved seeds by farmers allowing them to increase their harvests for food security and better incomes.
- Sustainable farming – We support farmers in building resilient farming systems for sustained high yields through interventions such as mechanization and irrigation.
- Inclusive markets and trade – We work to increase the linkages between farmers, and other market actors for a positive, sustained cycle of commercialization and reinvestment.
AGRA’s 2030 Strategy
The continent has, in recent years, taken steps towards inclusive agricultural transformation resulting in notable improvements in food security, with clear progress across all AGRA’s focus countries. However, with over 20% of Africans still suffering from hunger, we need to accelerate our progress and mitigate against the growing external pressures of conflict and climate on our food systems.
AGRA 2022-2030 Strategic Framework (SF2030) demonstrates our long-term vision for how we intend to contribute to, and align with, global and continental priorities, applying a food systems lens towards the goals of zero hunger, improved nutrition, an end to poverty, and climate adaptation. We have split our Strategic Framework 2030 into two 5-year strategies so that we have a clear mid-way point to evaluate progress and re-route our strategic focus if necessary. Our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan sets out to catalyze the growth of sustainable food systems across Africa by influencing and leveraging partners to build a robust enabling environment where the private sector thrives, and smallholders are empowered to produce sufficient, healthy food.
AGRA’s Vision
To contribute to a food system-inspired inclusive agricultural transformation across Africa, to reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and adapt to climate.
AGRA’s Mission
To catalyze the growth of sustainable food systems across Africa by influencing and leveraging partners to build a robust enabling environment where private sector thrives, and smallholder farmers are empowered to produce sufficient, healthy food.
AGRA’s Strategy
- Empowering and building the resilience of small holder farmers
- Supporting the development of inclusive markets and finance to strengthen agricultural systems.
- Strengthening state capability to sustain agricultural transformation.
Implementing Our New Strategy Through People
AGRA is at the threshold of a new chapter where we begin implementing our new strategy of catalyzing inclusive, resilient and sustainable agricultural transformation. At AGRA we believe Agriculture is the single greatest opportunity to deliver inclusive economic growth, jobs, and health to the African continent.
People are the heart of our organisation and remain the true drivers of our delivery and our impact.
We are excited about a new fit-for-purpose organizational structure that is largely driven by an ambition to enhance collaboration across teams and drive sustainable growth. We have therefore purposed more focus on delivery of country programs within the new strategy giving even greater attention to optimising existing talent in addition to upscaling technical and operational resources.
We work with incredible people and partners who have roots in farming communities across the continent combined with an inclusive and diverse workforce from over 24 nationalities. Our values of (I-RISE; Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship and Equity) espouse our commitment to a call to action to go beyond ourselves as we arise and transform Africa’s Agriculture.
We are looking for people who are passionate about Africa, curious and collaborative to join our innovative, growing, and multidisciplinary team. Together, we can grow Africa’s food systems improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Want to join us?
The Opportunity
Lead – Partnership & Business Development
Role purpose
Under the direct supervision of the Managing Director, Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum), The Lead – Partnership & Business Development provides strategic leadership on continental and global engagement, partnerships and advocacy with the 28 AFS Forum partners including with the host the Government of Rwanda, other countries, the private sector including innovative funds and financing platforms , foundations, bilateral and multilateral organizations), and on driving the resource mobilization efforts with traditional and non-traditional AFS Forum donors and partners.
The Lead – Partnership & Business Development will work closely the current 28 AFS Forum partners including with the private sector, green funds to mobilize financing resources to implement the AFS Forum Strategic Plan 2023-2027. In coordination with AFS Forum other leads (head of thematic platforms, Lead communication officer), the head of AGRA head of Development, he/ she will lead the design and led the resource mobilization strategy. He /she lead on the design, review and submission of CN and proposals to AFS Forum partners including with the private sector.
He / She will build represent AFS Forum in relevant business development forum and strategic partnerships with all national, regional and global forums, private sector platforms to catalyze investments and technical support towards AFS Forum deals ( AFS Forum legacy programs and deal and innovative programs supported by AFS Forum partners such as AGRA and others). He/she support the strategic work including the design of guidelines for the deal process, innovative tools and instruments to support the implementation of AFS Forum strategy, management and proactive implementation of the AFS Forum Deal Rooms vehicle, driving components of the AFS work plan and action agenda to deliver on the Forum’s strategy and ensure it continuously strengthens its position as the premier platform for Africa’s agricultural agenda. He / She will support South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) and advocacy.
The Lead Partnership & Business Development will lead on the AFS Forum year-round activities particularly the coordination of the AFS Forum deal rooms vehicle for the MSMEs and governments, coordination with all AFS Forum partners private sector deal rooms, convening the annual deal room competitions to AFS Forum Deal Room Vehicle (preparation and launch of calls for pipelines application, coordinate the Quality Assurance of the pipelines submitted to financers, facilitate the match making , follow up with AFS partners and deal owners on the deals implementation and report on progress . He/ She will undertake a regular assessment of gaps and financing landscape and opportunities to support deals, lead on establishing and coordinating financing platform ( made of banks, institutional investors, guarantee funds, pensions & equity and impact funds, banks, Green funds ) to support bankable deals pipelines prepared by private/ public sector units of the AFS forum partners.
Role Summary
The Lead Partnership & Business Development will lead the process of identifying and exploring potential options for funding including the private sector (Banks, Equity Funds, Institutional Investors, Insurance, pension funds, strengthen the financial sustainability of the AFS Forum and its operations through vibrant resource development effort, striking healthy financial ratios, and effective budget administration. Act as an active liaison with relevant internal stakeholders within AGRA and external stakeholders on specific thematic areas of strategic relevance for partnership both public and private and global policy development. She/ he will perform analytical work to guide the forum on the best way to catalyze private investments and technical assistance platforms to support deal rooms within AFS Forum partners. He/ She will coordinate the deal rooms competition work and ensure that healthy pipelines from all partners, countries and MSMEs are compiled and presented regularly to investors (quarterly basis) and at AFS Forum Annual Summit. In coordination with the AFS Forum head of thematic platforms and other AFS Forum Partners, He/ She will conduct regular gap assessment, investment opportunities and guide partners such as AGRA private sector and other partners on the deal pipelines to structure and deploy for investments. She/he works with the Managing Director (MD) of AGRF and other team members to ensure the AFS Forum deals rooms competitions are delivered on the multi-year strategic vision and action plans of the Forum. S/he is also responsible in supporting the MD of AGRF for ongoing communications, and resource mobilization around technical and financing platforms, innovative flagship programs namely legacy programs and to ensure it maximizes its impact and is fully funded, working in coordination with AGRA’s Development Cooperation units as appropriate.
Key Measures of Performance
The performance of this role holder will be assessed based on achievement of the following objectives:
- Promoting, Advocating and Communicating AFS Forum Priorities as per the strategic plan 2023-2027.
- Developing and implementing the forum Partnership and resource mobilization Strategy.
- Managing Strategic, Policy and Technical Expertise of Global Policy Engagements, Replenishment, Resource Mobilization and Advocacy.
- Coordination of deal rooms and financing platforms & Partnership management particularly with the private sector .
- Optimal identification of opportunities and thereafter resourcing them with intelligence, tools and instruments and organizational inputs
- Financial leverage achieved with program teams for resources into priority countries and AFS Forum partners plans.
- Maintenance of strong relationships with donors and private sector to maximize value of partnerships and ensure a strong position for future reinvestment and/or supplemental funds.
- The strategic nature and quality of AFS Forum’s advocacy, communications, and thought leadership.
- Managerial Functions.
- Establish and nurture collaboration with the 28 AGRF partners and new partners -key result being to ensure greater visibility and influence for AFS Forum in support of its mission.
- Development of a partnership strategy under the new AFS Forum strategic plan 2023-2027 and lead on its implementation.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Purpose – Manage Integrated Processes
- Designs, implements, and coordinates an institution-wide, comprehensive donor relations and stewardship system that fosters positive and mutually rewarding relations between AFS Forum and its donors.
- Support a culture of continuous improvement, and performance optimization across all program development processes, as well as use of tools and systems that support that, in close collaboration with Program and operations teams to embed key tools and practices in the donor’s relationship management and retention.
- Driving and tracking progress on activities for the implementation of Thematic Platforms and Thematic Working Groups, support of the financing platforms.
- Develops and consolidates AFS Forum ’s knowledge management system and knowledge products.
- Work with AFS forum Communications and service providers on key communications and advocacy deliverables and routine newsletters.
- Engages and steward’s relationships with other institutions with whom AFS Forum wishes to jointly bid for funding opportunities.
- Advises and build capacity of country and regional teams on strategic engagement with donors.
- In collaboration with the Head – Thematic Platforms the Partnership Officer – Deal Rooms, and the Lead Communication Officer, will support the AFS Forum advocacy work relations with governments, financial institutions, and civil society, or vis-à-vis relations with high level committees/organizational relations.
- Perform analytical work to guide the forum on the best way to catalyze private investments and platforms to support deal rooms within AFS Forum partners.
- Coordinate the deal rooms work and ensure that healthy pipelines are compiled and presented regularly to investors (quarterly basis) and at AFS Forum Annual Summit.
- Coordinate the deal rooms competition and selection of deals to be presented at AFS Forum.
- Conduct gap assessment, investment opportunities and guide AGRA private sector and AFS forum partners on the deal pipelines to deploy for investments.
- Ensure thematic platforms are delivering on the multi-year strategic vision and action plans of the Forum
Engagement – Align
- Develop pitches and support outreach to potential AFS Forum partners and sponsors.
- Secure new partnerships that strengthen the Forum and its long-term financial sustainability.
- Leads compliance with AFS Forum Partner contracts and prepare and submit deliverables to Partners as required.
- Enables talent management and development of existing staff, acquiring of new staff as necessary and manages team dynamics to ensure high-performance and positive employee experience.
- Communicates results through presentations, written and verbal communication.
Delivery – Sustain Service
- Collaborate with the Managing Director Forum on annual work plan development, monitoring, and updates during the year.
- Collaborate with the Managing Director, AFS Forum, Finance, and the Development Cooperation Unit on overall budget forecasting and updates to Management.
- Contributes to co-creation of programs and developing scaling models, that will better position AFS Forum to development partners.
Model the IRISE Values & and Be a Culture Carrier
- Integrity: Uphold moral convictions and always do the right thing.
- Respect: Value differences and embrace diversity and inclusion.
- Innovation: Strive for excellence and embracing continuous improvement, bold creativity, and change.
- Stewardship: Be responsible for actions undertaken and resources entrusted.
- Equity: Be governed by fairness in all undertakings.
Requirements
Academic and Professional Qualifications
- Master’s degree in international development, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Public Finance, Public Administration, Rural Development, Social Sciences, or any other relevant field.
- Fluency in English; Knowledge of French will be an advantage.
Required Skills/Abilities
- Experienced donor development and resource mobilization, funding proposal designing expert with a superior track record of success serving international development organizations and or the private sector .
- Results-oriented, accountable, proactive, and able to work on behalf of AGRA with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Optimistic and persuasive on AGRA’s strategic approach to solving challenges impeding agriculture transformation.
- Ability to translate program-based concepts into practical realities
Relevant Experience
- High-level experience in international development with demonstrable success in resource mobilization with large multilateral or bilateral agencies or trusts and foundations or private sector donors.
- Proven experienced resource mobilization and donor management expert with a superior track record of success serving international development organizations.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Orientation: focus on the big picture and overall Strategic Framework. Ability to identify and pursue strategic initiatives which provide the greatest value and sustainable impact; balances long and short-term trade-offs; communicates clearly and precisely the strategic goals and the strategies for achieving them.
- Leadership: Demonstrates ability to mobilize, focus, align, and build effective groups to enable them to conceptualize and achieve collective objectives. Inspires trust and passion in the AGRA Mission: Ability to show great drive and commitment to AGRA mission; help others understand how their daily work contributes to the AGRA’s mission and inspires others to proactively meet the AGRA’s strategic objectives in partnership with key partners, grantees, and Country Governments. Maintains high standards of personal integrity and provides support for professional development efforts linked to business objectives.
- Driving Results: Demonstrates drive for improvement of business results, based on well-rounded understanding of general business principles and own activities’ commercial and financial implications.
- Planning and Organizing: Devises plans of action with explicit paths and measures of accomplishment for self and/or others and allocates suitable resources so that objectives are achieved. Strong administration skills.
- Technical Competencies for the position: Demonstrates knowledge of all own work role specific issues. This encompasses the technical skills or knowledge required to perform the essential duties as described in this Job Description. Specific technical competencies: quantitative analytical skills including use of appropriate software, results-based management systems, designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis, and production of reports
- Accuracy and attention to detail: High level of accuracy, attention to detail and thoroughness. Ability to maintain a timely and efficient workflow.
- Managing Resources: Demonstrates the ability to plan and use resources (people and/or finance and/or physical assets) in accordance with AGRA guidelines and delegated accountability so that objectives are achieved in the most effective manner possible.
- Coaching and Developing Staff: A demonstrated capacity for working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams for collective success and provide effective coaching and encourage appropriate development activities in order to support staff in identifying and meeting their training and development needs.
- Communication and Interpersonal relations: Exceptional communication skills and ability to represent AGRA externally at high levels. Demonstrates ability to maintain lasting, healthy, and effective one-to-one working relationships with colleagues, suppliers, customers, professional peers, etc.
- Intercultural Sensitivity and Effectiveness: Demonstrates ability to cross and bridge different racial, cultural, gender or business cultures. This requires and is exhibited by personal experience of international or cross-cultural business with improved achievements.
- Teamwork: Demonstrates productive drive in working with peers, partners, consultants, and others to achieve pre-targeted and measurable business results
Other Job Requirements
Key contacts: Internal & External
• Partners
• AFS Forum Secretariat
• Institutions supporting the Forum
Terms of Appointment
3 Years Fixed Term (Consideration for renewal will be made subject to AGRA’s needs, available funding, and performance).
Location
Based in Kigali, Rwanda, with frequent travel in Africa and at the international level, approximately 30% per month/year.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 15 March 2024 (23:59 hrs, GMT +2). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx).
Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.
Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
SRI Executive is exclusively retained by AGRA to undertake this assignment.
