The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking a competent amp; multi skilled candidate to join its office in Lusaka, Zambia, as a Senior Project Manager - Agribusiness Acceleration and Scaling.
This is an internationally recruited position; therefore, individuals with relevant abilities from diverse locations around the world are encouraged to apply.
The Senior Project Manager - Agribusiness Acceleration and Scaling will be responsible for driving the strategic direction, implementation, and impactful delivery of both AICCRA (Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa) and IWMI’s agribusiness acceleration projects in Zambia. In addition to that, the candidate will act as the project lead of AICCRA Zambia. This dual role requires a focus on climate-smart agriculture and innovative agribusiness strategies, ensuring effective project management and alignment with Zambia’s national priorities.
DUTIES amp; RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Leadership and Strategic Management,
- Provide strategic direction and oversight for the AICCRA project and agribusiness acceleration initiatives in Zambia.
- Develop and implement comprehensive project plans that align with both local needs and international standards.
- Lead project teams, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
- Oversee the entire project lifecycle, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure.
- Manage resources efficiently, including budgeting, staffing, and scheduling.
- Implement robust risk management strategies to mitigate potential challenges.
- Develop and execute a strong monitoring and evaluation framework to assess project performance and impact (integrated impact assessments, affordability studies, tracer studies, etc.).
- Regularly report on project progress to AICCRA Director and AICCRA Project Management Committee (PMC)/Core Team (CT), AICCRA Zambia partners, stakeholders, making data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.
- Ensure that projects deliver tangible and sustainable results, maximizing their impact on local communities and the agricultural sector.
Partnership Management and Business Development,
- Manage partnerships at a strategic level, ensuring alignment with project goals and national priorities.
- Identify and pursue business development opportunities, leveraging national programs and initiatives.
- Coordinate multiple teams from different organizations, ensuring cohesive and effective collaboration.
Agribusiness Acceleration,
- Drive the acceleration of agribusiness ventures, focusing on innovation, scalability, and sustainability.
- Foster partnerships with private sector entities to enhance agribusiness development and market access.
- Champion the increase of inclusive finance into AICCRA Zambia Accelerator program.
Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building,
- Engage with government bodies, NGOs, private sector, and local communities to ensure alignment with national priorities and inclusive participation.
- Lead capacity-building efforts to enhance local expertise in climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness.
Promotion of Gender and Social Inclusivity,
- Incorporate gender and social inclusivity strategies in project design and implementation, ensuring equitable benefits across all groups.
- Advocate for and implement policies that support the involvement of women and marginalized communities in agricultural development.
Policy Influence and Advocacy,
- Utilize project outcomes to influence national policies and practices in agriculture and climate resilience.
- Represent the projects in national and international forums, promoting best practices in climate-smart agriculture and agribusiness.
Requirements
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS amp; EXPERIENCE:
Essential,
- Master’s degree in Agriculture, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in project management, with significant exposure to the agricultural sector in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Proven track record in strategic planning, team management, and stakeholder engagement.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS amp; ABILITIES:
Essential,
- Strong leadership and strategic project management skills, with a focus on impactful delivery and results.
- Demonstrated ability in managing strategic partnerships and coordinating multi-organizational teams.
- Demonstrated experience leading innovation scaling, acceleration projects.
- Experience in business deve