Position Summary

• The Executive Director of the Coalition is a challenging yet highly rewarding assignment with an opportunity to create large-scale impact in a short time frame, creating a better future for Africa. The Executive Director will be formally responsible for setting the strategy and direction of the Coalition, in close consultation with the founding members of the Coalition, and will lead the work of its coordination committees, secretariat, and working groups to meet the Coalition’s goals.

Responsibilities

Strategy

• Develop a value proposition for the Coalition by combining the unique strengths of each Coalition partner in areas related to capacity development, fertilizer and soil health solutions, policy, market and finance enabling environment, and stakeholder and partner engagement.
• Create a strong market position for the Coalition in the international donor landscape.
• Create and maintain good donor relationships that convert to funding opportunities aligned with the African Union 10-year Action Plan and Soil Initiative for Africa goals.
• Lead and manage the new business development efforts of the Coalition, including the development of concept notes and proposals that would convert to fresh funding for the Coalition.
• Build relationships with national, regional, and continental stakeholders, such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and AfDB, to gain an understanding of their needs for programs, capacity building, research, and other activities.
• Develop a close relationship with all Coalition founders to address each one’s individual funding priorities, constraints, and strategic objectives.
• Ensure that the strategic advice from the Advisory Committee is captured adequately and communicated to the Steering Committee
• Provide support to the national action plans prepared by each country to ensure they are aligned with the Nairobi Declaration of May 2024, an output from the AFSH Summit.
• Put in place an effective communication strategy to ensure transparent internal and external communication.

Supervisory

• Oversee the workings of the Coordination Committee (responsible for day-to-day affairs) and Steering Committee (responsible for long-term vision and direction) in identifying business opportunities and developing concept notes, work plans, and proposals and submitting these in a time-bound manner.
• Oversee the workings of the secretariat and operational teams related to technical, partnership, communication, finance and administration.
• Ensure seamless coordination between experts, advisors, and steering committee members at all stages of an opportunity – from identification to closure.
• Supervise the coordination among donors to harmonize investments and create additional business development opportunities for greater reach and impact.
• Monitor project indicators in accordance with the agreed-upon Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plans, evaluate program results, and take necessary corrective actions when needed.
• Ensure consistent and timely internal and external communication, specifically with donors on projects that they are funding, and the Advisory Board of the Coalition.
• Represent the Coalition in meetings, conferences, and other opportunities conducive to publicizing, promoting, and marketing the Coalition’s achievements.

Culture

• Build a culture of openness and consensus-based decision-making with the four founding members of the Coalition.
• Create a responsive and agile structure to deliver the benefits accrued through combining individual institutional strength and trust, with the ability to respond to diverse donor needs quickly and efficiently

Requirements

• A minimum of 15 years of hands-on experience in international agricultural development, including at an Executive Director, Vice President, or Chief Executive Officer level.
• Experience initiating and scaling teams, divisions, or groupings in similar areas.
• Proven record of accomplishment and expertise in fundraising of at least $10 million or more and overseeing programs, with a deep understanding of sustainable agricultural practices.
• Established and active relationships with key stakeholders, such as African country governments, donors (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development [USAID], Millennium Challenge Corporation [MCC], or French/Dutch/German aid agencies), lenders  (e.g., AfDB or World Bank), among others.
• Experience in coordinating diverse, large, and well-established stakeholders toward a common goal.
• Preferably fluent in both French and English, enabling effective communication and collaboration.
• Leadership experience in multi-cultural work environment is preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey project objectives and achievements in external events and to country governments, donors, and internal stakeholders.