This is a limited term employment opportunity with a duration of 12 months starting in January 2020, however, the start and end dates may change. Applicants must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
The goal of the foundation’s Agricultural Development (AgDev) program is to support country-led inclusive agricultural transformation across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The program focuses on four strategic goals that help drive agricultural transformation and that ensure this transformation is inclusive: increasing agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers (SHF); increasing SHF household income; increasing equitable consumption of safe, affordable, and nutritious diets year-round; and increasing women’s empowerment in agriculture. The foundation invests in this sector and in these ways because increasing productivity in agriculture has proven to be more effective at lifting people out of poverty than growth in other sectors.
This position sits the Director’s Office under the management of the Deputy Director, Strategy, Planning, and Management (DDSPM).
Leadership & Culture
Our culture shapes our choices about what we do and how we do it. We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment can do extraordinary things. We expect foundation employees to intentionally and consistently embody our four agreements; show respect, offer trust, be transparent, and create energy.
The primary responsibility of the Associate Program Officer (APO) is to provide technical and strategic planning support to the development of a climate change adaptation plan by the end of 2020.
In addition to providing support to the Climate Working Group to develop a cohesive plan on the foundation’s contributions to climate change adaptation goals, you will also be expected to:
- Collect, analyze, and process data in ways that are responsive to leadership requests.
- Integrate a solid base of data and associated analyses into climate change strategy development and operational plan implementation.
- Assemble an inventory of AgDev historic investments related to climate change adaptation and assess their contribution to climate-related goals.
- Support multiple portfolio teams, including regional teams in Africa and Asia, Crops Discovery, and Livestock to analyze their potential contributions to climate-related goals.
- In support of the Director and DDSPM, help compile a cohesive and costed operational plan for climate change adaptation for presentation in Annual Planning at the end of 2020.
- Aid in the development of a cohesive climate narrative across the foundation.
- Support ongoing internal engagement with foundation leadership as it relates to climate partnerships.
- In partnership with our Donor Government Relations team, extend our external engagement with relevant partners; including formalizing technical partnerships with key organizations and experts.
- Assist the Strategy team to actively identify knowledge and data gaps and opportunities for focused research, including areas like water resource management.
- Produce or assist in the production of reports and peer-reviewed research articles.
- Provide ongoing research, background information, and analytical support for portfolio management; including the interpretation of relevant data from evaluations within agriculture and remain current on emerging evidence for impact.
You are a creative, thoughtful and curious professional who has a strong track record of achievement in roles of increasing responsibility. You should enjoy solving complex problems, are a natural collaborator and communicator and are prepared to work across a diverse set of disciplines, bridging a wide range of expertise, with a proven ability to work with agility, efficiency and diplomacy in a dynamic environment. Additionally, we seek:
- Experience working with partners on issues related to environmental resource management and/or climate change adaptation.
- Background in agricultural development, economics, or environmental issues; preferably examined in an inter-disciplinary context.
- Experience in strategic and/or annual planning, budgeting, and forecasting tools.
- Knowledge of the foundation’s processes and partners strongly preferred.
- Strong collaboration skills and experience working with a range of clients, colleagues, consultants, and others with a broad exposure to multi-sector partners.
- Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic, and operational situations, demonstrating culturally-sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people.
- Team player who can operate independently coupled with a proven ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to travel up to 20% of time as necessary.
- Bachelor’s degree in related field required