The Country Director will contextualize and deliver CIFOR-ICRAF’s Strategic Results Framework, in Cote d’Ivoire, in partnership with appropriate and relevant national and national partners from across all sectors of society, for the benefit of the country and beyond. S/he will also provide overall leadership within the Country to represent CIFOR-ICRAF’s interests in the country and ensure quality execution of CIFOR-ICRAF research activities.
Duties and responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
To promote the right conditions for achieving CIFOR-ICRAF strategic objectives (science quality, impact, partnership and operational efficiency) in Cote D’Ivoire.
To lead the Country’s Functional Units, partners, and other stakeholders for the operationalization of the Country strategy.
To facilitate institutional integration and coherence through regular communication and liaison with leadership of all CIFOR-ICRAF’s relevant programmatic, thematic and country.
Lead scientific research on agroforestry, forestry, climate change, landscape ecology and related agroforestry research, especially those related to national programs and policies.
To facilitate publishing and present research findings at all levels including local, national and international levels.
Lead the development of country projects and coordinate deliverables for the Science Domains in the country; periodic reporting of the status of research and partnerships carried out in Cote D’Ivoire for internal and external communications; strengthening partnerships for enhancing the science and pursuing the science agenda of CIFOR-ICRAF.
Resourcing and managing a multi-site, multi-disciplinary team for development impact through research
To lead resource mobilization through opportunity spotting and capture, catalyzing the writing of proposals, establishing and managing donor relations and the country’s institutional profile.
To provide leadership in the recruitment of staff for the region in appropriate consultation with leadership of all of ICRAF’s relevant programmatic, thematic and country team;
To prepare annual plan of work and budget in collaboration with FSU, CRP focal points, Theme leaders and country staff.
Provide overall supervision of country activities to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness in the region; including direct supervision of Country staff (as appropriate), including performance management and evaluation.
To develop and nurture a supportive, productive, efficient and equitable working environment for all staff.
To supervise country-based teams who are part of CIFOR-CRAF’s matrix with headquarters-based units.
To stimulate and contribute to the production of research outputs, including scientific publications, and development innovations.
Communication, Partnership-Building and Institutional Visibility
To develop and manage partnerships that contribute to furthering the country strategy, e.g. with national institutions, private sector, farmers’ organizations, CGIAR Centers, hosting countries organizations and others, as appropriate.
To oversee implementation of the communication component of the country strategy, including but not limited to the leading of synthesis of regional outputs, and direction of the communication of research products.
To represent CIFOR-ICRAF at appropriate national events and forums and internationally as may be necessary.
To support the assessment of impact of CIFOR-ICRAF’s work in the country.