The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is a Sub-Regional Research Organisation (SRO) established in 2010 by Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Its headquarters are in Gaborone, Botswana. CCARDESA is a subsidiary organization of SADC Secretariat and has the mandate of coordinating all matters of agricultural research, technology dissemination and agricultural development in the SADC region.
The CCARDESA mandate is aligned to the objectives of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, SADC Regional Agricultural Policy, the CAADP Pillar4 and the Malabo Declaration Commitment. CCARDESA closely works with regional and international partners to facilitate generation and use of essential agricultural technologies. It also supports the exchange of information and technologies among Member states.
CCARDESA has established strategic alliances with regional and international Research and Development organisations, with which it has a number of ongoing joint programmes. Within the region it has strong ties to the National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) within each SADC Member State. The operational model of CCARDESA is based on building strong partnerships while focusing on addressing the needs of farmers with regard to production, productivity and marketing of farm products.
Although CCARDESA is an autonomous entity, it still maintains very close links with the SADC Secretariat and performs its duties as an implementation arm of the SADC. It reports to the SADC Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Food Security through the SADC Secretariat. The Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Food Security constitute the highest Governance body of CCARDESA, the other two being the General Assembly of stakeholders and the Board of Directors whose main function is to provide oversight to the CCRDESA Secretariat.
The CCARDESA Secretariat is headed by the Executive Director who is responsible for managing the Secretariat and report to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director is required to provide leadership to the Secretariat in terms of general management of the organisations, maintenance of a strong technical team, mobilization of resources, control of financial expenditure, compliance with the policies of the organization, maintaining effective partnerships with other organizations, reporting to the Board and Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Food Security, management of financial, human and physical resources and protecting and promoting the interests of CCARDESA.

1.1. Job Description

The Executive Director is CCARDESA’s Chief Executive Officer with the prime responsibility of executing the decisions of CCARDESA’s Board of Directors. The Executive Director reports to the Chairperson of CCARDESA Board of Directors. He/She manages the Secretariat staff, programmes, finances and assets according to procedures approved by the Board. He/She ensures the preservation of CCARDESA’s corporate image and memory.

1.2. Terms of reference for Director of CARDESA

The Executive Director is appointed by the CCARDESA Board of Directors following a competitive recruitment process. He/she will be responsible to the Board and will undertake the following functions:

1. As delegated by the CCARDESA Board, represents CCARDESA as its chief administrative officer and legal representative.
2. provides support to the CARDESA Board as the chief technical spokesperson of CARDESA on regional issues of agriculture in SADC.
3. Provide leadership and manages the human, financial and physical resources of CCADESA.
4. Implement the decision of CCARDESA Board of Directors and the General Assembly.
5. Draft CARDESA’s annual work-plans, budgets, annual technical and financial reports for presentation and approval by the CARDESA Board.
6. Articulate new proposals and initiatives for funding by SADC Member States, private sector, agricultural NGOs, farmer organisations, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.
7. Ensure the effective and efficient operation of CCARDESA Secretariat, Strategic Planning and Business.

Planning

(i) Leads development and implementation of long and short range plans for CARDESA;
(ii) Directs the implementation of policies set by the Board of Directors;
(iii) Leads the development and supervises the implementation CARDESA’s Business Plan, Operational Plan and Strategic Plan.

8. Establish appropriate mechanisms for the monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment of CCARDESA programme activities.
9. Appoint regionally recruited staff required for the operation of the CCARDESA Secretariat in consultation with the Board
10. Recruit, select and appoint local staff required for the operations of the CARDESA Secretariat.
11. Recommend to the Board any revisions to CCARDESA operational manuals.
12. Manage and strengthen CARDESA relations with all stakeholders within and outside the SADC region, including SADC Member States, national agricultural R&D institutions and universities, CGIAR Centres, the private sector, NGOs and farmer organizations, sister sub-regional organizations (ASARECA, CORAF and NASRO), UN agencies and development partners.
13. Ensure the existence of smooth operations of protocol and host government liaison systems of the CARDESA Secretariat
14. Secretary to the CCARDESA Board of Directors
15. Perform any other duties as directed by the chairperson

1.3. Minimum Qualifications and Requirements

1. Knowledge

An earned postgraduate degree, preferably PhD in agriculture, agricultural economics, natural resources management, agricultural extension, agricultural education or a related field. Must demonstrate deep knowledge of agricultural development in southern Africa.

2. Experience:

(i) Over 10 years working experience in agricultural research and/or a management capacity in complex international organizations and multidisciplinary team. Experience conducting or managing multi-method programme and strategy evaluations; demonstrative quantitative analytic skills; experience in setting strategic priorities for complex research and development organizations in dynamic environments.
(ii) Must have wide and excellent-proven experience in international agricultural research and coordination. Demonstrated leadership in agricultural research for development, coordination and advocacy for support to agricultural research and development in SSA and in particular, Southern Africa. Knowledge of national, regional R&D networks and institutions as well as political bodies such as SADC, COMESA, EAC and the African Union and its programmes (NEPAD, CAADP). Demonstrated ability to forge partnerships and strategic alliances among research providers, political leaders and civil society.

3. Skills and Abilities

Must be a person of integrity. Excellent organizational, communication and computer skills (particularly excellent knowledge of windows-based word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail and Intranet tools). A proven ability to think analytically and critically, possessing the intellectual agility to translate ideas and insights into action through coherent and viable plans. Ability to analyze, set priorities and complete tasks with minimum supervision to strict deadlines. Ability to move from programme concept to on-the-ground reality and to provide leadership to develop bankable regional projects/programmes. The working language will be English. The successful candidate must be fluent in written and spoken English in all aspects of the work required. Knowledge of the other two SADC working languages (French and Portuguese) will be an added advantage.

4. Other Personal Traits

Results-oriented, accountable, proactive leadership skills. Ability to lead by example and drive change. Determined, hard-working, prepared individual who knows how to work around barriers that arise in the course of an initiative. An individual that carries optimism that farmers and consumers can benefit from improved, well-adapted agricultural technologies. Ability to get other people excited about new opportunities and new ways of getting old jobs done. Innovative thinker and mature professional who is positive and supportive toward his/her colleagues and external collaborators.

2. Duty Station and Tenure of the Office

The successful candidate will be based at CCARDESA Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana, and will be offered fixed term contracts not exceeding four years. Renewal of the contracts will be subject satisfactory performance and other considerations.

3. Remuneration

A very attractive remuneration package shall be offered to the successful candidate.

4. Gender Mainstreaming

CCARDESA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications from female candidates.

5. Submission of Applications

If you are results orientated, you have a passion for the transformation and development of Southern Africa, and possess the required competencies, please submit your application. Applications including a cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae, together with the names, titles, addresses, and email and telephone contacts of three referees should be sent by email to sian@armstrongappointments.com who will conduct the initial screening of all candidates on behalf of CCARDESA with total confidentiality.

6. Closing date

Deadline for receipt of application letters is 12 February 2020.
Only applicants who meet the requirements of the CCARDESA Secretariat and being considered for interview, will be contacted. Should you not hear from the CCARDESA Secretariat, or Armstrong Appointment, within 2 weeks after the closing date, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.

Closing Date:

Wednesday, February 12, 2020 – 16:30