Program Manager - Côte d'Ivoire, Food Security - 12 month Fixed Term

about 2 months ago
Contract position
Remote... more

The program is aimed at enhancing food security and market resilience in Côte d'Ivoire by leveraging environmental data to support smallholder farmers via the Amini platform. The project seeks to rehabilitate degraded lands, increase cocoa yields, and improve overall sustainability practices. 


Position Objectives: 

 

You will play a crucial role in shaping the Amini program's strategic direction and its commercial and reputational success, ensuring its operational effectiveness, and maximizing its impact on smallholder farmers in Ivory Coast. Focusing on high-level strategy, operational efficiency, and stakeholder management.


Skills: The ideal candidate will possess a strong combination of technical and interpersonal skills.


Technical Skills:


  • Proven successs in delivering large scale projects/programs with multiple stakeholders and deliverables
  • Have some understanding of data platforms and digital agriculture tools.
  • Familiarity with sustainability practices such as agroforestry will be helpful
  • Knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks like the EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) would be beneficial.
  • An adaptive management approach, embracing flexibility and continuous learning.


Interpersonal Skills:


  • The program manager will need to effectively collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, including Cooperatives, Farmers, Business partners, Data collectors, Agronomists, Agricultural extension officers, Off-takers (buyers of agricultural products), Banks and insurance companies


  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills are essential.


Responsibilities:


Ensuring the successful execution of the project as outlined in the project proposal.


  • Oversee Program Vision & Execution: Ensure overall delivery of the program's goals, while effectively implementing the project plan, adhering to timelines, milestones, and reporting requirements.


  • Manage Partnerships and Collaborations: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key partners, including cooperatives, data collectors, agronomists, agricultural extension officers, and off-takers. Negotiate agreements and ensure all collaborations are mutually beneficial and aligned with the program's goals.


  • Track KPIs and Evaluate Program Impact: Closely monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined in the project proposal. Evaluate the program's overall impact on food security, market resilience, and environmental sustainability. Communicate program progress, achievements, challenges, and financial performance to relevant stakeholders through regular reports and presentations.


  • Identify and Mitigate Risks: Proactively identify and assess potential risks that could hinder the program's success, develop and implement appropriate mitigation strategies, as outlined in the project agreement.


  • Community Engagement: Establishing clear communication channels, providing training and support, and incorporating cooperative/farmer feedback into program, building trust and ensuring the adoption of new practices.


  • Budget Management & Financial Sustainability: Ensuring adherence to the agreed budget, and ensuring financial sustainability beyond the 12-month project period.


  • Monitor Industry Trends and Regulatory Landscape: Stay informed about relevant industry developments, particularly in digital agriculture, sustainability, and data privacy. Keep track of regulatory changes, such as the EUDR, that could impact the program's operations.


  • Compliance: Ensuring all project activities comply with applicable data privacy laws and regulations.


Experience:


The ideal candidate should have a proven track record of successfully managing complex projects in the agricultural or technology sectors.


  • Project Management: Demonstrated experience leading and delivering projects on time and within budget, preferably within international development or agricultural contexts.


  • Stakeholder Engagement: A history of successfully building and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, private sector companies, and community organizations.


  • Agriculture and Sustainability: Practical knowledge of sustainable farming practices, agricultural value chains, and the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Ivory Coast


Prior experience working in Ivory Coast context is preferred, along with fluency in French and major local languages. English proficiency is a strong advantage.

 

The role is for a 12 month fixed term contract


Expected Deliverables: 

  • Up-to-date Gantt charts outlining program tasks, dependencies, and timelines, ensuring deliverables are done on time and within budget. 
  • Clear documentation of program on Notion, along with detailed meeting minutes, scoping documents, and other relevant project notes. 
  • Successful enrolment of 10,000 cocoa and other plantations on the Amini platform. 
  • Quarterly reports highlighting program and status and project progress and measurable impacts on cocoa, palm oil and other farm productivity and sustainability. 
  • Evidence of farmers' adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. 
  • Willingness to travel to project sites across Côte d'Ivoire as needed. 

If you are passionate about advancing sustainability, improving agricultural outcomes, and creating a social impact in Africa, join us in transforming food security and climate resilience for smallholder cocoa farmers in Côte d'Ivoire.   This is a remote role, however you must be willing to be based in the Ivory Coast