Bio-Innovate Program Manager Vacancy: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Reference BIPM/PC/03/10

Bio-resource Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) seeks to recruit a highly competent and dynamic Program Manager.

Bio-Innovate is a new multidisciplinary competitive funding mechanism for biosciences and product orientated innovation activities in Eastern Africa, supported by a grant of SEK 80m (USD 10.7m) from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

The Program builds on previous investments, achievements and experiences from the Sida-supported BIO-EARN Program and other regional initiatives.

Bio-Innovate will work closely with the African Union New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU/NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) in strengthening regional collaboration in science and technology to enable the continent to adapt the rapid advances and promises of modern biosciences.

Bio-Innovate will focus on delivering new products through bioscience innovation systems involving a broad range of actors, including scientists, private sector, policy makers, NGOs and other practitioners.

It will use modern biosciences to improve agriculture and conserve the environment through improving crop productivity and resilience to climate change in small-scale farming systems; improving the efficiency of the agro-processing industry to add value to local bio-resources.

The program will also develop sound policies for commercialising products from biosciences research; and investigate innovative delivery systems.

Bio-Innovate will be managed by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). It will be co-located on ILRI’s Nairobi campus with the BecA ILRI Hub, a biosciences research platform that is part of AU/NEPAD’s Africa Biosciences Initiative.

The Bio-Innovate Program Manager will be responsible for establishing the competitive funding mechanism and leading the Program.

She/he will be supported by two administrative staff, as well as by the financial, administrative and research services of ILRI. The Bio-Innovate Program Manager will report to the Director of Partnerships and Communications of ILRI.

This position will be based at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Headquarters in Nairobi.

It will require frequent travel throughout the Eastern Africa region. This is an internationally-recruited staff position. Applications will be accepted only from citizens of the Bio-Innovate target countries of Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

ILRI provides a gender- and diversity-friendly work environment, and particularly encourage suitably qualified women to apply.

Duties and responsibilities

• Setting up the Bio-Innovate competitive grants scheme;
• Developing implementation guidelines to ensure efficient execution of Bio-Innovate projects and consortia;
• Preparing contracts for all institutions involved in the implementation of the projects;
• Serving as secretary to the Bio-Innovate Technical Advisory Committee;
• Developing guidelines for project monitoring and evaluation;
• Preparing annual work plans and budgets, semi-annual and annual technical and financial reports for submission to Sida;
• Organizing the Bio-Innovate inception workshop, stakeholders meetings and Project review meetings;
• Coordinating and leading marketing, communication, advocacy and public relations to communicate Bio-Innovate activities and achievements;
• Networking with relevant partners and stakeholders and ensure that Bio-Innovate activities are harmonized and the necessary synergies are created both within the program and with other activities in the region;
• Facilitating development of Intellectual Property Rights agreements between partner institutions;

Skills and experience

• Excellent leadership qualities with ability to represent the Bio-Innovate program regionally and internationally;
• PhD with qualifications in the field of biosciences and/or bio-policy areas;
• Skills in programme management at regional and/or international levels;
• Track record of resources mobilization for research and development in Africa;
• Excellent networking and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
• Proven skills in obtaining positive results from working in diverse partnerships amongst research, extension and development partners and in public, private and civil society.

Terms of appointment: This is an internationally recruited position based in Nairobi, Kenya for three years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding.

ILRI offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI): The Africa-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality science and capacity building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development.

ILRI is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). It has its headquarters in Kenya and a principal campus in Ethiopia.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our website at www.ilri.org

Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) is an initiative developed within the framework of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Africa Biosciences Initiative.

Located at and managed by ILRI in Nairobi, Kenya, the BecA-ILRI Hub provides a common biosciences research platform, research-related services and capacity building opportunities to the region and beyond.

The BecA-ILRI Hub aims to increase access to affordable, world-class research facilities and to create and strengthen human resources in biosciences and related disciplines in Africa. These activities focus on addressing key constraints in African agriculture.

To find out more about the BecA Hub, visit our website athttp://hub.africabiosciences.org

Applications: Applicants should send by email a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae and the names and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees to Email: bioinnovate.recruit @ cgiar.org by 9th April 2010.

The position title and reference; ‘Bio-Innovate Program Manager BIPM/PC/03/10’ must be clearly indicated on the email subject line and candidates must clearly indicate their gender and citizenship in the covering email.

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