Justification and context

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is starting a new seed sector development project in South Sudan in December 2020. The “Accelerating Agriculture and Agribusiness in South Sudan for Enhanced Economic Development Project” (A3-SEED) will provide market-oriented interventions to support the establishment of a commercial, sustainable, and adaptive agriculture sector in South Sudan. The project will ensure the availability of improved seed down to the last-mile through agri-entrepreneurship and support existing private sector seed companies to improve seed and input marketing, distribution and production practices. A3-SEED seeks to reach more than 100,000 farming households, double incomes from marketable surpluses, increase farmer yields by 20-50% on target commodities, facilitate the development of 100 agro-dealers as well as 200 women-owned and 200 youth-led businesses, and bring 42,000 ha of farmland under agroecological production. The project will support the emergence of individual commercial seed producers, who produce for the local market, as outgrower for a seed company, or both. The anticipated project will be implemented in collaboration with KIT, Royal Tropical Institute with funding from the Netherlands Embassy.

The project will support commercialization of the seed sector through the following four Result Areas (RAs):

• Commercial Quality Seed Production focuses on ensuring efficient, high quality and economically viable seed production, sales and distribution tailored for market-oriented smallholder farmers;
• Quality Seed Use, Good Agricultural Practices and climate resilient farming practices among smallholder farmers results from tailored sales and distribution strategies provided by seed companies and commercial seed producers;
• Quality Seed, Input and Output Marketing and Distribution through the establishment of last-mile input distribution and effective seed, input and output market relationships which improve local competitiveness through agribusiness development, women empowerment, and youth employment;
• Learning and Capacity Development supports the above result areas together with targeted research to address bottlenecks, support adaptive project management and advance knowledge on seed sector development.

IFDC is seeking recruitment for an A3-SEED Partnership Officer to be based in Juba and will work in close coordination with the NAFO, Project Manager, and relevant project team members during solicitation, award, and monitoring of all grants’ partnership agreements. S/He will develop the grants manual and efficiently and thoroughly navigate the due diligence processes and steps associated with effective grant administration and will assess and monitor the performance of the grant recipient on an ongoing basis.

Functions and Responsibilities of the Partnership Officer

• Review and improve the grants manual in line with IFDC and DGIS’ policies.
• Review grant applications and ensure adherence to application standards/requirements and procedures.
• Monitor grant implementation for compliance requirements and ensure the establishment and documentation of outcome reporting measures,
• Providing an efficient and up-to-date process for tracking grant payments and contribution/match funding from public and private sector.
• Support the Admin and Procurement Specialist, and Finance Officer and field team.
• Assist in the development of contracts for service providers, partners and consultants.
• Perform any other duties deemed necessary and requested by the supervisors.
• Provides strategic assistance to Project Manager
• Provides input to the development of partnering policies and planning

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the A3-SEED National Administrative and Finance Officer (NAFO) on all aspects related to the A3-SEED Project in South Sudan.

Required Skills

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance or another related field. A Master’s degree (MBA) will be an added advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail, strong project management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple complex tasks, take initiatives and maintain composure under demanding conditions.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, private sector and other stakeholders
• Strong computer skills with experience in MS office software and internet;
• Ability to communicate in a second/third national language would be an advantage;
• Ability to work and travel in South Sudan and the region;
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and international environment;
• This position is open to qualified South Sudanese nationals only.

Required Experience

• A minimum of five years’ experience supervising grant administration staff; demonstrated ability to select, train, motivate, and inspire staff while holding them accountable for their performance
• Ability to work effectively as a team leader and collaboratively as part of a team and a desire to achieve, and lead others toward excellence
• A minimum of three years’ experience using grants management software.

Apply at: https://jobs.silkroad.com/IFDC/Careers/Apply/MultiForm/647