AGRA

Job Reference: ES/PR/09/2023

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:

1. Policy and state capability – We support governments in creating an enabling environment for private sector involvement in agricultural transformation. 
2. 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. 
3. Sustainable farming – We support farmers in building resilient farming systems for sustained high yields through interventions such as mechanization and irrigation. 
4. 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 optimizing 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

Executive Support – Office of the President. Job Reference: ES/PR/09/2023

Role Purpose

The Executive Support- Office of the President role is responsible for providing administrative and executive support to AGRA’s President.  S/he will filter and attend to the day-to-day functions that are part of the executive’s role so that the executive can focus on the high-level leadership and strategic functions. This role will supervise Logistics Assistant.

Role Summary

This role is responsible for supporting the President with the administration of that office in the following key areas: 

• Providing support primarily to the President and provide additional support to executive team members, as directed, to ensure that AGRA’s goals and objectives are accomplished and that operations run efficiently.
• Managing communication with employees by liaising with internal and external stakeholders on various projects and tasks.
• Maintaining and refining internal processes that support high-ranking executives’ institution-wide and coordinate internal and external resources to expedite workflows.
• Managing communication with employees by liaising with internal and external executives on various projects and tasks.
• Planning and orchestrating work to ensure that senior executives’ priorities are met, organizational goals are achieved, and best practices are upheld.
• The position interacts regularly with Executive Committee, the Management Committee, and other internal partners, external representatives, and visitors.

Key Measures of Performance

• Effective and efficient coordination of the President’s calendar and email management.
• Smooth running of Executive Committee and Management Committee meetings.
• Proper planning and management of Office of the President’s budget and procurement.
• Effective travel coordination and logistics management.
• Professional document preparation and record keeping.
• Ensuring error-free written communication from the Office of the President.
• Seamless administrative support to the Office of the President.
• Maintain an up-to-date Rhythm of Business.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose – Ensure Process Integrity

• Reviews correspondence, drafts and replies to requests for information, prepares acknowledgements and initial responses; and summarizes information necessary for preparing a reply.

Calendar Management 

• Lead and coordinate complex scheduling and Calendar Management of the President by ensuring effective time management of internal and external meetings and events.
• Resolving calendar conflicts in a professional and timely manner.

Email Management 

• Develop an effective system of tracking the President’s emails to ensure that time-sensitive emails are responded to in a timely manner.
• Continuously refine the email management system for the President’s Inbox to ensure all emails are acted upon in a professional, confidential and concise manner.

Communication 

• Draft, review and send communication on behalf of the President in coordination with the Senior Support Specialist – Office of the President
• Ensuring efficient and effective flow of information from the President’s office to Senior Management and/or the rest of the institution.
• Assist in drafting key communication from the President’s office e.g., President’s Internal Message to staff.
• Act as a liaison between the President and other Units by providing information and documents as needed.
• Provide all administrative and executive office support on behalf of the Office of the President. E.g., receiving visitors on behalf of the President, phone calls, etc.
• Support the Senior Support Specialist – Office of the President, on coordinating tasks related to Executive Committee (EXCO) and Management (Mancom) Committee Meetings.
• Responsible for keeping records of corporate documents, records, and reports by maintaining effective systems and processes for simplified document management for the office of the President.
• Maintain professionalism and strict confidentiality with all materials.
• Handling special projects on behalf of the President on request.

Engagement – Advice

• Budgeting and Procurement – Liaise and coordinate with necessary stakeholders to ensure proper budgeting and procurement as per laid down guidelines.
• Rhythm of Business – Liaising with all stakeholders to ensure effective planning and management of the Institution’s Rhythm of Business for proper business cadence.
• Lead on the liaison and collation of key reports from the President E.g., President’s Board Report, etc.
• Preparing reports, PowerPoint presentations and handling correspondences. 
• Direct project correspondences in liaison with the Senior Support Specialist in preparing and reviewing talking points, briefing notes memos, meeting minutes and emails.
• Facilitates regular check in with staff, partners and other stakeholders.

Delivery – Sustain Standards

Travel Coordination and Logistics Management 

• Manage complex travel logistics and activities, including accommodations, visas, transportation, and meals.
• Carry out recce before key events to ensure the events logistics run smoothly.
• Sequences the President’s travel schedule and manages expense reports to ensure they are submitted in compliance with AGRA policy.
• Supervises the Logistics Assistant – Office of the President for optimum day-to-day efficiency and productivity and conduct their annual performance appraisals.
• Preparing reports, PowerPoint presentations and handling correspondences 
• Liaises with and supports the communications team to profile her through media engagements.
• Events Management – plan events both internal and off-site on a need basis.

Model the IRISE Values & Be a Culture Carrier

• Integrity: Uphold moral convictions and always doing 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

• • Bachelor’s degree in business, Management, Public Administration or any business-related area.
• Training in communications preferred.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to work effectively and sensitively across barriers such as language, culture, and distance Organization and planning abilities.
• Writing and communication skills.
• Experience working in environments where strict confidentiality is paramount. 
• Commitment to the overall mission of the institution, its programs, and an approach consistent with AGRA’s guiding principles. Holds oneself to the highest ethical standards. 
• Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy.
• Financial acumen – budget tracking.
• Program coordination skills and procurement proficiency.

Relevant Experience

• Experience in managing a busy, high-profile office. 
• Experience in corresponding and engaging with high profile people and dignitaries. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills – fluency in English is a must.
• Fluency in French is a strong positive but not required. 

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 mobilise, focus, align, and build effective groups to enable them conceptualise 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 clients. Maintains high standards of personal integrity and provides support for professional development efforts linked to business objectives.
• Customer and market Orientation: Demonstrates knowledge of the customers they serve, competitors, suppliers, and the regulatory environment. Provides a balanced a responsive and proactive approach to meeting client needs; encourages staff to understand client needs and concerns; ensures provision of customized services and products as appropriate; Responds promptly and effectively to client and market needs. Adds business value based on own understanding and service of the customers and the market in which they work.  
• 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 Organising:  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.
• Accuracy and attention to detail: High level of accuracy, attention to detail and thoroughness. Ability to maintain a timely and efficient work flow.
• 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.
• 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, or business cultures. This requires and is exhibited by personal experience of international or cross-cultural business with improved achievements.  
• Team Work: Demonstrates productive drive in working  with peers, partners, consultants and others to achieve pre-targeted and measurable business results

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 Nairobi, Kenya.

How to Apply

If you believe you are the right candidate for this position, kindly submit your application with a detailed CV (including your e-mail address and telephone contacts to recruit@agra.org noting to quote the job reference number in the subject of your email)

To be considered, applications must be received on or before Monday 25th September 2023.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

AGRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer