Ref No: DDG-P4D/ATT/OE/TC/06/21

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Agricultural Technology Transfer and Outreach Expert – TAAT Clearinghouse.

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 CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org / for more information on IITA.

The Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) is a program initiated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of its Feed Africa Initiative. The main objective of the program is to improve the business of agriculture across Africa by raising agricultural productivity, mitigating risks and promoting diversification and processing in 18 agricultural value chains within 8 Priority Intervention Areas. The program is implemented by IITA in close collaboration with other CGIAR Centers, FARA, AGRA, national agricultural research and extension systems and private sector partners. It involves close partnership between the AfDB and other developmental partners. The Clearinghouse (CH) was set up to operate as a semi-autonomous component of the Program. The objective of the CH is to take proven agricultural technologies to scale in a commercially sustainable fashion through the establishment of a mechanism to facilitate partnerships and provide access to expertise required to design, implement, and monitor progress of crop, livestock, and aquaculture campaigns.

The Agricultural Technology Transfer and Outreach Expert will report to the Head of the TAAT Clearinghouse.

Position Responsibilities
The Agricultural Technology Transfer and Outreach Expert will undertake the following tasks:

• Analyze the capabilities and needs of the various Countries programs and projects and engage them to agree on a program of active involvement in TAAT.
• Identify and support the implementation of innovative farming practices, agricultural inputs, extension services, seed and post-harvest storage, irrigation, water resources and land care, formal and informal marketing of value chain products, including export opportunities that can accelerate Agricultural growth.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships between CGIAR centers, NARES, private sector, and farmers to enhance supply and access to high-quality agricultural technologies and output marketing.
• Collaborate with other partners such as NARES, NGOs, Farmer Organizations, and Private Sector to support decentralized producers involved in using locally preferred technologies.
• Support the delivery of lending projects from identification, preparation, appraisal and launching; leading to project effectiveness to mainstream TAAT technologies transfer through stakeholders’ engagement.
• Facilitate the strengthening of seed systems and, where applicable, implement integrated seed systems that bring the use of quality seed to scale.
• Support relevant institutions in Regional Member Countries (RCMs) implement policy, regulatory and institutional reforms identified through the seed sub-sector assessments.
• Contribute to enhancing regional variety release and registration of agriculture inputs (seeds, fertilizers and pesticides).
• Partner with RECs to harmonize seed policies and regulations, and engage NARES, Ministries of Agriculture and Government institutions overseeing seed regulations to fast-track the domestication and implementation of regionally harmonized regulatory instruments.
• Advise RMCs on setting up a track seed flows in all stages of multiplication from pre-basic, basic and commercial seed stages.
• Work in close partnership with each of the Commodity value chains, TAAT Enablers and the PMU.
• Actively contribute to the Clearinghouse (CH) reporting and progress updates, and document on an RMC basis their agricultural Transformation Agenda performance.
• Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the Head of Clearinghouse.

Educational Qualifications and Experience
The candidate should possess a Post-Graduate Degree in any Agriculture Science discipline from a recognized University.

Core Competencies

• At least 15 years extensive experience related to research and extension systems.
• Experience in agriculture extension, seed policy, law, regulations and agro–dealer development.
• Worked with or partnered with AfDB or any of the major donor organization is desirable.
• Competence in designing and implementing Agric Extension programs or strategies which should have been within the African environment.
• Experience in building public private partnership to strengthen seed availability and supply.
• Good understanding of policy and regulatory issues around Public Private Partnership development in developing countries.
• An excellent knowledge of project development and marketing to diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a multicultural team environment. Demonstrated strong analytical and communication (verbal and writing) skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required and a good working knowledge of the French language is an advantage.

Duty Station: Cotonou, Benin Republic.

General information:

The contract will be for a period of three years based on performance and availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Applications:

Applications must include covering 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, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers

Closing Date:

Applications should be submitted not later than 7th July 2021, but candidates are encouraged to apply early as applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

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