Background

African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is a Continental body that brings National Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) stakeholders under one umbrella. The AFAAS’ goal is to enhance utilization of improved knowledge and innovations by agricultural value chain actors for improving productivity oriented towards their individual and national development objectives. AFAAS desires to ensure enhanced competency of AEAS providers to enable them better address the increasing needs and demands of various value chain actors. The AFAAS 2018-2027 strategy focuses on three pillars namely: (i) strengthening and expanding network and knowledge management capacities. (ii) Developing capacities for scaling out technologies and innovations. (iii) Facilitating advancement of AEAS. Notably, Agricultural extension is a key component of the innovation system, plays a pivotal role in promoting productivity, increasing food security, strengthening rural communities, and underpinning agriculture as the engine of pro-poor economic growth and one of the key pillars for transforming rural livelihoods and contributing to Africa’s agenda 2063.

Overall Goal and Reporting

Recognizing AFAAS’ mandate, the Director of Extension and Programmes (DoEP) is the senior technical and operational lead responsible for translating the Executive Director’s strategic vision into high-quality programme delivery. The DoEP provides leadership for programme quality, partnerships, technical oversight, and organizational performance. He/She is the principal deputy to the Executive Director and shall act for the Executive Director during periods of authorized absence or when delegated to do so. In this delegated capacity, the DoEP shall provide leadership to the Secretariat, oversee programme and operational functions, represent the organization as appropriate, and exercise delegated authority in accordance with AFAAS policies, Board decisions, and applicable legal and financial delegations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

In performing this function, the specific duties and responsibilities inter alia include:

A. Strategic Programme Leadership

The DoEP shall Provide leadership in the design, implementation and continuous improvement of AFAAS’ programme portfolio, ensuring alignment with the CAADP Kampala Strategy, AFAAS’ Strategic Plan, donor priorities and emerging continental and global priorities. The key responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership in programme planning and annual work planning.
• Ensure strategic coherence across projects.
• Identify emerging opportunities for programme innovation and scaling.

B. Technical Leadership and quality assurance

Provide technical oversight to ensure that programmes deliver high-quality, evidence-based results and position AFAAS as the continental technical leader in AEAS. This will include:

• Review technical outputs and deliverables, while ensuring programme quality standards are adhered to;
• Provide leadership and mentorship to programme teams and consultants on technical and operational matters, while ensuring the effective utilization of human and financial resources and fostering a results-oriented, high-performance culture;
• Promote systems thinking, innovation and adaptive learning across AFAAS programmes to strengthen technical quality, foster continuous improvement, and enhance the effectiveness, integration and sustainability of AEAS systems;
• Coordinate operations of AFAAS in accordance with the direction established in the strategic plans and governance system;
• Provide oversight in managing the programme budget and facilitate budget approvals and revision processes as per AFAAS policies and procedures;
• Lead in quality assurance of AFAAS management systems for the Secretariat and country and Regional Fora programmes

C. Programme Coordination and Delivery

Coordinate implementation across projects, Country Fora, regional networks and strategic partners to ensure timely delivery of results. The key responsibilities include:

• Supervise project coordinators and technical staff to ensure effective and timely planning and implementation of programs and projects to deliver high impact results and innovative solutions;
• Review projects’ Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPB), and monitor progress against work plans and consistently provide briefs to the AFAAS ED.
• Coordinate multi country processes and initiatives of scaling good practices and agricultural innovations within AFAAS and its networks;

D. Partnership Development and Stakeholder Engagement

Lead engagement with strategic programme partners and strengthen collaboration across the continental AEAS ecosystem with following responsibilities:

• Coordinate and oversee programme partnerships with AU institutions, agricultural research, extension and education organizations, Regional Economic Communities, Country and Regional Fora and other strategic partners to ensure effective implementation of AFAAS programmes and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Provide technical leadership in strengthening collaborative programme linkages with governments, National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), universities, CGIAR centres, the private sector, farmer organizations, civil society and development partners, while supporting the Executive Director in operationalizing strategic partnerships and supervising their implementation.
• Oversee the design, coordination and performance of programme-related partnerships, including the Africa Wide Agricultural Extension Week, coalitions and collaborative initiatives across continental, regional and national levels, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, programme objectives and donor commitments.
• Guide and supervise partnership implementation by the Executive Support and Partnerships Expert and other programme staff, while supporting the Executive Director in identifying and cultivating high-value strategic alliances and institutional relationships

E. Advocacy and Resource Mobilization and Business Development

Support the Executive Director in expanding AFAAS’ programme portfolio including:

• Provide technical leadership in the development and implementation of programme partnerships and collaborative frameworks, contributing to evidence-based advocacy, resource mobilization and the growth of AFAAS’ programme portfolio.
• Lead proposal development, identify funding opportunities, coordinate consortium development, and maintain donor relationships at programme level.
• Coordinate initiatives that Strengthen AEAS advocacy by regional organizations and AFAAS partners, and support the identification of partners for joint advocacy promotions that increase awareness of AEAS,
• Provide technical guidance and contribute to evidence-based advocacy and policy engagement to promote an enabling environment for inclusive, transparent and effective AEAS, and the successful implementation of AFAAS programmes.

F. Programme Monitoring Evaluation, Learning and Knowledge Management

Ensure programmes generate evidence for decision-making and organizational learning by:

• Providing strategic oversight for the design, implementation and continuous improvement of AFAAS’ Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) framework and systems;
• Ensuring the timely collection, analysis, utilization and reporting of programme performance data for evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management;
• Oversee programme performance monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting, ensuring the timely preparation and quality assurance of donor, management, Board and statutory reports, including baseline and endline surveys, quarterly, annual and project completion reports, while promoting knowledge generation, documentation of lessons learned and the dissemination of best practices across the AFAAS network

G. Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Qualifications, Experience and Reputation

• A minimum of Doctorate degree in Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Rural Innovations, Development Studies, or a related field. A strong background in agricultural extension is an added advantage.
• Professional certification in Project/Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or Leadership and Management. at strategic and operational levels is desirable.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in the design, management and implementation of agricultural development programmes, with a minimum of five (5) years in a senior management or leadership position in reputable high level organizations.
• Proven experience in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, agricultural innovation systems, rural development, food systems, digital extension, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural commercialization, agroecology, soil health or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading and operating within complex organizational environments, and managing multi-country, donor-funded programmes and coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Strong proven track record in programme planning, implementation, PMEL, knowledge management, resource mobilization, and partnership development.
• Experience working with governments, farmer organizations, research and educational institutions, Regional Economic Communities, AU institutions, media houses, development partners, and the private sector.
• Proven record of professional conduct in all previous work experience without histories of criminality, fraud, and other cases that can compromise individual and institutional integrity.

Competencies

• Strong leadership, strategic planning, programme management and team supervision skills.
• Excellent knowledge of results-based management, PMEL, knowledge management, and continental agricultural policy frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, communication, stakeholder engagement and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools; and knowledge of digital advisory systems
• Excellent command of English; working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an added advantage
• Flexibility, adaptability and creativity in managing challenging situations

• Provide leadership in programme planning and annual work planning.
• Ensure strategic coherence across projects.
• Identify emerging opportunities for programme innovation and scaling.
• Review technical outputs and deliverables, while ensuring programme quality standards are adhered to.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to programme teams and consultants on technical and operational matters, while ensuring the effective utilization of human and financial resources and fostering a results-oriented, high-performance culture.
• Promote systems thinking, innovation and adaptive learning across AFAAS programmes to strengthen technical quality, foster continuous improvement, and enhance the effectiveness, integration and sustainability of AEAS systems.
• Coordinate operations of AFAAS in accordance with the direction established in the strategic plans and governance system.
• Provide oversight in managing the programme budget and facilitate budget approvals and revision processes as per AFAAS policies and procedures.
• Lead in quality assurance of AFAAS management systems for the Secretariat and country and Regional Fora programmes.
• Supervise project coordinators and technical staff to ensure effective and timely planning and implementation of programs and projects to deliver high impact results and innovative solutions.
• Review projects’ Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPB), and monitor progress against work plans and consistently provide briefs to the AFAAS ED.
• Coordinate multi country processes and initiatives of scaling good practices and agricultural innovations within AFAAS and its networks.
• Coordinate and oversee programme partnerships with AU institutions, agricultural research, extension and education organizations, Regional Economic Communities, Country and Regional Fora and other strategic partners to ensure effective implementation of AFAAS programmes and alignment with organizational priorities.
• Provide technical leadership in strengthening collaborative programme linkages with governments, National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), universities, CGIAR centres, the private sector, farmer organizations, civil society and development partners, while supporting the Executive Director in operationalizing strategic partnerships and supervising their implementation.
• Oversee the design, coordination and performance of programme-related partnerships, including the Africa Wide Agricultural Extension Week, coalitions and collaborative initiatives across continental, regional and national levels, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, programme objectives and donor commitments.
• Guide and supervise partnership implementation by the Executive Support and Partnerships Expert and other programme staff, while supporting the Executive Director in identifying and cultivating high-value strategic alliances and institutional relationships.
• Provide technical leadership in the development and implementation of programme partnerships and collaborative frameworks, contributing to evidence-based advocacy, resource mobilization and the growth of AFAAS’ programme portfolio.
• Lead proposal development, identify funding opportunities, coordinate consortium development, and maintain donor relationships at programme level.
• Coordinate initiatives that Strengthen AEAS advocacy by regional organizations and AFAAS partners, and support the identification of partners for joint advocacy promotions that increase awareness of AEAS.
• Provide technical guidance and contribute to evidence-based advocacy and policy engagement to promote an enabling environment for inclusive, transparent and effective AEAS, and the successful implementation of AFAAS programmes.
• Provide strategic oversight for the design, implementation and continuous improvement of AFAAS’ Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) framework and systems.
• Ensure the timely collection, analysis, utilization and reporting of programme performance data for evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management.
• Oversee programme performance monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting, ensuring the timely preparation and quality assurance of donor, management, Board and statutory reports, including baseline and endline surveys, quarterly, annual and project completion reports, while promoting knowledge generation, documentation of lessons learned and the dissemination of best practices across the AFAAS network.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

• Strong leadership, strategic planning, programme management and team supervision skills.
• Excellent knowledge of results-based management, PMEL, knowledge management, and continental agricultural policy frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, communication, stakeholder engagement and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools; and knowledge of digital advisory systems.
• Excellent command of English; working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an added advantage.
• Flexibility, adaptability and creativity in managing challenging situations.

• A minimum of Doctorate degree in Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Rural Innovations, Development Studies, or a related field. A strong background in agricultural extension is an added advantage.
• Professional certification in Project/Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or Leadership and Management. at strategic and operational levels is desirable.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in the design, management and implementation of agricultural development programmes, with a minimum of five (5) years in a senior management or leadership position in reputable high level organizations.
• Proven experience in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, agricultural innovation systems, rural development, food systems, digital extension, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural commercialization, agroecology, soil health or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading and operating within complex organizational environments, and managing multi-country, donor-funded programmes and coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Strong proven track record in programme planning, implementation, PMEL, knowledge management, resource mobilization, and partnership development.
• Experience working with governments, farmer organizations, research and educational institutions, Regional Economic Communities, AU institutions, media houses, development partners, and the private sector.
• Proven record of professional conduct in all previous work experience without histories of criminality, fraud, and other cases that can compromise individual and institutional integrity.