Senior Programme Officer (Sustainable Agribusiness Management) at IUCN Tanzania

Established in 1948, The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organizations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,300 Member organizations and the input of more than 10,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

IUCN has had its operations in Tanzania for more than four decades working with many partners and supporters to implement a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects ranging from management of protected areas, forest ecosystems, coastal resources, aquatic ecosystems, sustainable agriculture and climate change resilience. IUCN/Tanzania, among other projects, is currently implementing the activity, “Resilient Soybeans for Empowerment in Tanzania” (RESET).

The RESET project targets to deliver market-driven climate-resilient solutions and improvements in soybean that will lead to improved productivity, technology transfer, value addition, and efficiency of all actors along the chain. The project targets farmer organizations, processors and MSMEs in the supply chain through a partnership that will address supply and demand related constraints. It supports investments that effectively mainstream responsible business practices and green growth. Based on the above background, IUCN Tanzania is looking to recruit a Senior Programme Officer to support the execution of RESET project that will be implemented in Iringa and Morogoro regions.

JOB DESCRIPTION, MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES;

The Senior Programme Officer, Sustainable Agribusiness Management, based at IUCN, Iringa hub office, will primarily be responsible for the overall implementation of RESET project in Iringa and Morogoro, working closely and supporting commercial partners, farmer organisations and coordinating the work and engagement with the private sector, local government authorities (LGA), agricultural research institutes, certification bodies and other supply chain stakeholders, while at the same time contributing to the broader sustainable agriculture portfolio under IUCN Tanzania. S/He will be responsible for landscape level project oversight and will monitor the development and implementation of project plans and activities in close consultation with counterparts from the implementing partners.

The Senior Programme Officer (SPO) will be responsible for planning, administration, financial management and implementation of the programme goals and the objectives. Under the supervision of the Programme Manager, the SPO will as well be responsible for people management, coordination and to ensure effective and timely activity development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting coordinating closely with other project staff.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Project management (20%);

• Facilitate the preparation of detailed work plans, budgets and schedules for landscape level project implementation in collaboration with the project officer, partners and stakeholders.
• Assist in processes related to inception, contracting and start-up of activities including establishment of indicators, benchmarks, work plans and inception workshops.
• Lead the on-ground project implementation and ensure the work is aligned with the project’s MEL framework.
• Document and share lessons learned to inform the continuous improvement of CSA practices and tools.
• Coordinate and monitor the administration of project budgets and work plans according to approved external contracts and internal agreements, work plans, internal procedures and policies, and donor requirements.
• Lead on to the preparation of all reports related to the project as per the project document and ensure prompt submission to donors.
• Lead the organization of landscape level workshops and similar events.

Technical direction on resilient value chains and nature-based solutions integration(50%);

• Plan and conduct a market assessment and value chain analysis on key commodities.
• Design climate resilient interventions including investment mechanisms, technical assistance, and market systems development interventions.
• Assess financial requirement and investment mechanisms to realize critical climate/NbS investments.
• Enhance value chains’ potential to leverage climate finance.
• Identification of the enabling environment and improved ecosystems.
• Contribute to the appraisal of capacity-building needs related to the development, competitiveness, inclusiveness and improved impacts of agribusiness and value chain development; and contribute to developing training materials and training courses and activities.
• Develop interventions and work plans to deliver adaptation goals and outcomes in the assigned projects i.e., related to sustainable practices, restoration and conservation.
• Assist in identifying, establishing, and building relationships with strategic partners relevant and necessary for CSA and agribusiness programme delivery and growth.
• Build linkages with other supply chain development partners / actors for synergies and complementarities.
• Develop and maintain partnerships and networks in the context of nature-based solutions, particularly those supporting low-carbon, climate-resilient sustainable value chain development.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge and capacity building on nature-based solutions that address climate risks and support climate adaptation in supply chains.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management(15%);

• In coordination with M&E Officer, develop and apply the projects monitoring instruments and systems
• Contribute development and timely submission of all required IUCN reports
• Undertake regular visits to project sites and evaluate programmatic outputs and impact both quantitatively and in terms of quality implementation.
• Document case studies, best practices and lessons learned and developing communication materials for dissemination to target audiences.
• Collect, processes and distributes relevant information, monitors communication and interaction between government institutions, partners, NGOs and other project beneficiaries through analyses of the media, direct dialogue, participation in meetings, dialogues and seminars, etc.
• Develop and maintain database(s) of all beneficiary MSMEs, climate adaptation innovations as well as other innovations implemented by the project and records documentation regarding them.

Programme development (15%);

• Identify key programmatic strategic priorities relevant to the current and emerging needs around Climate Smart Agriculture relevant for IUCN portfolio in Tanzania.
• Support fundraising efforts through identifying and securing funding opportunities to operationalize the CSA and private sector engagement, as a continuation or leverage to the ongoing projects.
• Support identification of opportunities presented by other projects and accommodate them, where possible, to bolster any business opportunities and models created beyond the focus project.

Any other duties;

Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the line manager.

REQUIREMENTS, POSITION REQUIREMENT:

Education;

Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, agribusiness management, rural development or related field, with postgraduate qualifications preferred, if possible, with a specialization in climate and sustainability topics.

Work Experience;

• Minimum 10 years of experience in management of complex projects on livelihood diversification, sustainable supply chains, rural inclusive business and market systems development.
• Extensive experience working in and with the public-private partnerships.
• Experience with result-based portfolio and project cycle management, monitoring and evaluation methodologies and principles and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated experience in reporting skills
• Good knowledge and networks in climate adaptation-relevant sectors (like e.g. agriculture, food, water) with public institutions, research organisations and private sector in Tanzania.
• Deep understanding of go-to market and growth strategies for businesses in climate-adaptation-relevant sectors in accordance with project goals.
• Demonstrated experience in people management and coordination skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a large, decentralized workforce of professionals of different nationalities and to mobilize it towards common goals.
• Knowledge on nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate is an asset.

Language;

Excellent verbal and communication skills in English is a must. Working knowledge of Kiswahili is an added advantage.

Core Competencies;

• Transparency: Capable of fostering trust and supporting informed, responsible decision-making by executing IUCN's work transparently; offers clear direction to ensure team members understand objectives and achieve measurable results effectively.
• Inclusiveness: Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, creating an inclusive, positive, and supportive workplace that values and respects differences. Exhibits the ability to thrive in a multicultural and multi-ethnic setting while maintaining productive relationships with individuals from diverse national and cultural backgrounds.
• Professionalism: Represent the organization’s goals, values, and priorities with dedication and professionalism.
• Accountability: Assumes accountability for both personal and team actions, fostering strong collaboration between IUCN and the stakeholders.

Functional competencies;

• Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability.
• Excellent diplomacy and negotiation skills to work with national and regional entities.
• Excellent people skills and a strong collaborator with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Highly motivated and result-oriented individual.
• Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to prioritize tasking and manage workflow in a high
• pressure environment.
• Must be an initiative-taking individual who is able to energize and motivate teams.
• Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively within the region and beyond

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.

Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.