Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) Jobs: Senior Technical Officer

The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) is a not-for-profit sub-regional organization of the National Agricultural Research 'institutes (NARIs) of ten countries: Burundi, D.R. Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

ASARECA's mission is promoting economic growth, fighting poverty, reducing hunger and enhancing resources through regional collective action in agricultural research for development.

It aims at increasing the efficiency of agricultural research in the region so as to enhance productivity, value added and competitiveness of the regional agricultural system.

Position 004/09
Senior Technical Officer - Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

We are seeking to recruit for a Senior Technical Officer -Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation. Reporting to the Head, Programme Management Unit the Senior Technical Officer will work closely with all ASARECA's Programmes, as well as with the teams managing projects that have been funded through ASARECA, to lead and coordinate their monitoring and evaluation activities.

He or she will be responsible for tracking the results identified in ASARECA's Strategic and Operational Plan and making sure that they are reported regularly and consistently.

He/She will provide technical and analytical expertise to the ASARECA Secretariat, Board of Directors and Development Partners, in terms of monitoring and evaluating the programmes being implemented in the ASARECA sub-region.

Specific duties will include, inter alia:

• Develop and maintain a monitoring and evaluation framework for ASARECA, and ensure that it is well understood and applied by programme managers and partners.
• Manage the performance management plan in liaison with the programme management unit, programme managers and other heads of units;
• Coordinate the preparation of half-yearly and annual performance reports
• Provide technical and analytical support to programme managers, M & E personnel in ASARECA funded projects, and stakeholders like the NARIs in programme/project planning and reporting processes;
• Assess existing capacities in project planning and M & E in the Secretariat, NARIs and other partners; identify and prioritise training needs and conduct training for capacity building and methodological support.
• In liaison with donor representatives and programme managers, plan and execute donor technical reporting requirements;
• Coordinate and provide leadership in assessing ASARECA's impact.
• Negotiate for cooperation and financial support with the partner institutions and donor agencies for undertaking impact assessment studies, as well as for capacity building in the areas of planning and M & E.

Qualifications and Experience

The person will have a Ph.D. in relevant field of economics or agriculture with 5 years of relevant experience and demonstrated leadership and management experience in the area of Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation in a sub-regional, regional or an international organisation.

The person should be suave in information technology with excellent analytical/quantitative skills, effective communication skills, creativity and a good flair for problem solving.

Duration

This contract will be initially for a period of twenty four months, renewable subject to annual performance review and availability of funding.

Special requirements

• Applicants should be nationals of ASARECA member countries.
• Willingness and ability for frequent travel and sustained travel to participate, organise or facilitate meetings/workshops/conferences

Remuneration and other Benefits

The remuneration package is comparable to those offered by similar regional organisations in Eastern and Central Africa.

It includes a regionally competitive salary and allowances for housing and transport, education for dependent children, health insurance, gratuity and home leave.

Method of Application

Applicants should send an application letter including an up-to-date curriculum vitae, copies of certificates, testimonials and names of three referees and their complete addresses -postal, telephone, fax and e-mail.

Deadline for receiving applications will be 23 October 2009 and should be addressed to:

The Head of Administrtion
ASARECA, Plot 5, Mpigi Road,
PO Box 765, Entebbe, Uganda.
Tel: 256-41-320556
Fax:256-41-322593

More information about the position and the organisation is available at http://www.asareca.org