Deadline: 29 December 2022

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a coordinator to lead ILRI’s ongoing efforts in Burundi and liaising with other ILRI priorities outside Burundi; and reporting technical and financial progress to ILRI leadership. This is position is at job level HG 18 and it is open to both national and international applicants.

ILRI works to improve food security and nutrition and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 11 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, ILRI has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. 

I. Background

The ILRI Impact at Scale program is responsible for spearheading the scaling-up of innovations of all ILRI programs for a sustainable future. The innovations have been tested and proven to be effective. The program aims at ensuring that many people can benefit from these technologies. It draws on the expertise and experience of staff from across ILRI’s programs based in 16 African and Asian countries who have an in-depth understanding of the local contexts and direct access to local partners. These programs also provide evidence of proven approaches and interventions covering technologies, institutional arrangements, business models and policy support, which can be scaled to different contexts. ILRI has an increased number of grant agreements within Burundi, managed by the Impact at Scale team and requires a Country Coordinator to implement these innovations.

II. Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute scientific and technical inputs to specific components of ILRI projects in Burundi according to competency and experience;
• Working with ILRI’s Regional Representative, develop a vision and long-term strategy for ILRI activities in the country which informs the various Project Implementation Plans; based on this strategy, advise project coordinators on the appropriate types and timing of their activities tailored to the specific context of the target value chain or livestock system, both over the medium term and within the more detailed project work plan;
• Supervise and facilitate interactions among ILRI projects within Burundi to make their work more effective in contributing to the country strategy and targets, fostering collaboration and synergies where possible;
• Verify implementation of ILRI Project Management Framework (PMF) on projects in Burundi, identify lagging project components through regular reviews, and assist project coordinators in development and implementation of recovery plans;
• Lead the contributions from Burundi-based projects to the annual ILRI Plan of Work and Budget, and interact with the relevant staff across the implementing partners during their planning to coordinate their roles in implementing the collective work plan in the country each year, including specific deliverables and their timing;
• Advise ILRI leadership and CGIAR initiatives during the annual Planning process on budget considerations to support the agreed activities;
• Identify funding priorities in consultation with the Institute Management Committee (IMC) and lead country-specific and regional resource mobilization efforts;
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships and research collaborations in the country that improve the ability of ILRI and CGIAR to achieve the agreed outputs and outcomes;
• Lead ILRI’s engagement with national stakeholders, including relations with the relevant government offices and alignment with national priorities;
• Lead ILRI’s engagement with the CGIAR initiatives within Burundi, pro-actively providing support to any designated country leader;
• Provide technical inputs to ILRI projects in Burundi and regionally
• Monitor progress in implementing project activities and delivering agreed outputs by implementing the relevant components of the donor’s M&E system or requirements, and prepare an annual progress report using an agreed format;
• And liaise with ILRI Communications and Knowledge Management (CKM) department to ensure publication of research and project materials on a regular basis, promoting ILRI’s efforts in Burundi.

III. Requirements:

• PhD in an academic discipline relevant to ILRI’s work
• Minimum of 10 years professional experience in livestock or livestock development
• Strong interpersonal, communication and network skills
• Strong understanding of livestock and development in Burundi
• Connections within other development organizations within Burundi
• Excellent speaking and writing skills in both English and French, and preferably local languages
• Strong digital skills, including proficiency in presentation, project management and collaboration tools
• Experience in facilitating events in a multi-cultural environment
• Teamwork – ability to lead work in an agile and fast-paced environment
• Travel to the region for workshops and leadership conferences

IV. Benefits

• This position is based in Bujumbura, Burundi.
• The position is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
• ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes medical and other insurances.

V. How to apply?

• Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role, and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development through ILRI recruitment portal  HERE 
• The position title and reference number: REF: IS/763-11/2022 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.
• ILRI thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts