Deputy Country Director (DCD), Grade-N2

About the Organization
The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization with its Head Office in Tokyo, Japan, and its Strategic Partnership Office (SPO) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Country Offices in Ethiopia, Uganda, Mali, and Nigeria. SAA envisions supporting Africa to fulfill its aspirations of building resilient and sustainable food systems by catalyzing knowledge sharing with African farmers and enabling food, nutrition, and income security as its mission. The mission is guided by SAA's three strategic pillars: Regenerative Agriculture, Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture, and Market-Oriented Agriculture.

About the position
SAA seeks a qualified Ethiopian national to fill the Deputy Country Director (DCD) position for its Ethiopia Office, based in Addis Ababa. The DCD will have the overall strategic and operational responsibility for SAA staff, programs, and execution of its mission. The DCD also assists Country Director (CD) in overseeing the development of strategic partnerships, fundraising, and communications reports. The DCD reports technically and administratively to the CD.

Expected Roles

• Lead program development at the country level to ensure that country program goals, objectives, and activities are properly aligned with the overall SAA work plan and that appropriate expertise is brought to bear in timely ways.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance of project implementation, ensuring the delivery of impact to the satisfaction of key stakeholders and following the SAA and the donor’s financial standards and monitoring protocols.
• Lead the formation of innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships that will increase the impact of SAA interventions. This includes developing a partnership framework and playing a lead role in the resource mobilization of extra-core funds to complement core funding.
• Conduct the performance evaluation on an annual basis with CD and motivate country staff to reach higher standards of performance both in quantitative and qualitative terms by creating a healthy working environment.
• Foster innovation of SAA products and services: facilitate learning, documentation, and evidence-based knowledge development in collaboration with SAAs global team and partners.
• Assist CD in making a feasible plan for smooth operation and ensure the financial sustainability of SAA and a high-quality project design.
• Ensure that technical, financial, and other required reports are produced on time and to high-quality standards.
• Assist CD in preparing periodic country progress and annual reports as SAA Management and other stakeholders require.
• Document and communicate SAA's program outputs to the wider public.
• Build partnerships and maintain excellent relationships with donors, partners, local governments, businesses, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Write proposals to get new funds by collaborating with SPO.
• Assist the CD in providing administrative and fiduciary oversight of country program personnel, assets, and finances relative to all aspects of SAA in-country operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Country Director to achieve the country program’s objectives.

Required Expertise & Qualification
The position requires a person who brings in a fair and thoughtful approach to management and the flexibility and courage to shift direction and experiment with new initiatives. Required qualifications but not limited to include:

• Minimum of MSc degree in Agri-Business, Agriculture Economics, Agriculture Extension, Agronomy, or any other related field, with 12 plus years of relevant Senior Management and NGO experience. Ph.D. preferred.
• Strong leadership skills in fostering teamwork; developing and motivating others; managing change; conflict resolution; initiative, and flexibility.
• Knowledge and practical experience in agriculture research and development, Agriculture Value Chains, linking farmers to markets, technical guidance, and agriculture extension and technology transfer.
• Knowledge and experience in organizational management, project management coordination, and management skills
• Strong communication, planning, negotiating, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collect and analyze data and information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to coach, lead, stimulate, and inspire professionals in a development context.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English & strong oral, analytical, writing, and presentational skills.

Compensation
SAA provides a competitive salary package and is an equal opportunity employer that fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender teamwork and respect for diversity. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

How to apply
Application should be sent to saa-recruit@saa-safe.org . Applications will be accepted until June 8, 2023. Applications must include an up-to-date CV, names, addresses of three professional referees, and a cover letter indicating your background experience.  Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.