CABI BACKGROUND
CABI (www.cabi.org) is a not-for-profit development-led organization supported by a solid scientific research base and a world class publishing service. Our mission is to improve people's lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. Our work increases food security and protects biodiversity. We have over 400 staff based in 16 countries. We have offices in Brazil, China, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, the UK and the USA.
CABI is an intergovernmental organization that can trace its origins back to 1910. Our mission and direction are influenced by government representatives from our 48 member countries who help guide the activities we undertake. These include scientific publishing, development projects and research, and microbial services. We are also leading a major new initiative, Plantwise, which aims to improve food security and the lives of the rural poor by reducing crop losses.
Publishing
We produce key scientific publications, including CAB Abstracts – the world-leading database covering agriculture and environment and Global Health - the definitive bibliographic database for public health information. We also publish multimedia compendia, books, eBooks and full text electronic resources aiming to further science and its application to real life. Behind each of our products is a team of subject specialists committed to delivering the most relevant and authoritative information to researchers worldwide.
Development projects and research
Our staff research and find solutions to agricultural and environmental problems. We use science, information and communication tools to help solve issues of global concern. Our work is arranged around four core themes:
• Commodities – we work to enable smallholder commodity farmers to compete in global markets. We diagnose and control plant pests and diseases, and help farmers get a better price for their crops. We work on crops such as coffee, cocoa, wheat, rice and cotton.
• Invasive species – we are helping to reduce the spread and impact of invasive weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, water hyacinth and insects such as coffee berry borer and cocoa pod borer. We also advise countries at a policy level about agriculture, trade and the environment.
• Knowledge for development – we work with farmers, extension workers, researchers and governments to deliver agricultural knowledge and develop communication strategies and systems.
• Knowledge management - we use information and communication technologies to provide farmers, researchers and policy makers with the information they need to make informed decisions and to lift people out of poverty.
Microbial services
We manage one of the world’s largest genetic resource collections, the UK’s National Collection of Fungus Cultures. We conduct microbiological identifications, provide cultures for sale, and offer preservation and consultancy services. We are also screening our collection, looking for natural products such as antibiotics, vitamins and enzymes.
Plantwise
Plantwise aims to increase food security by providing knowledge. It helps poor farmers in developing countries improve their livelihoods by losing less of what they grow to plant health problems. This will be achieved through expansion of the plant clinic network which CABI has already begun to establish, supported by the creation of a global knowledge bank of information on plant health, pests and diseases. Plantwise will be a global programme, comprising an integrated set of projects and activities.
www.plantwise.org
THE ROLE
Job title: Nutrition Project Manager
Appointment: Initially a 30-month contract which may be renewed or extended subject to performance and the continuation of projects.
HAY Grade: 6
Salary: We offer a competitive package in the not-for-profit development sector.
Reporting to: Fraser Norton, Stratgeic Business Development Programme Manager
Direct reports: None
Key peer group: Mobile Operations Managers (India & Africa), Agriculture Content Specialist (India), Nutrition & Health Content Managers (India & UK)
Location: By agreement with the appointed candidate, the post may be based in our office in Accra, Ghana, New Delhi, India, Nairobi, Kenya, Rawalpindi, Pakistan or Egham or Wallingford in the UK (with up to 50% travel).
Purpose of the role
CABI is the lead partner of the consortium selected by the GSM Association1 (GSMA) to be responsible for the delivery of content for a mNutrition initiative across Africa and Asia. Under the mNutrition Initiative GSMA will, with support from the UK Government, develop and scale-up the delivery of nutrition messages through agriculture and health mobile phone platforms. The project aims to reach at least 3 million people in 10 countries in Africa (six New Alliance countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and four additional nutrition priority countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia); as well as four out of five countries in South Asia (tbd: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and / or Myanmar). Other consortium partners are: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), OXFAM, and the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
The Global Content Partner consortium led by CABI will develop mobile Nutrition content to promote behaviour change likely to result in improved nutrition within a household, in particular of young children. CABI is leading the overall project, and also taking the lead in 5 global work packages as well the delivery of country level activities in 4 countries – Pakistan, Myanmar, Cote d’Ivoire & Zambia. To ensure excellent delivery of this project, CABI is looking for an outstanding Project Manager with a proven track record in complex project implementation and coordination of multiple partners in the field of nutrition.
The Nutrition Project Manager will primarily support the implementation of activities at country level in the 4 countries CABI is responsible forbut will also support the Mobile Programme Manager with the overall management of the project.
This will involve working with CABI teams, local content partners and the mobile and nutrition stakeholders in the 4 target countries as well as working with the consortium partners across all 14 target countries.
Key Accountabilities
• Manage CABI’s mNutrition project activities in the 4 CABI-led countries – Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cote d’Ivoire & Zambia
• Provide guidance to consortium partners (GAIN, Oxfam, ILRI) on the creation of country specific nutrition content frameworks and ensure frameworks for all 14 target countries are of high quality
• Manage the development of specific nutrition content frameworks in CABI’s 4 lead countries on the basis of a general content framework and detailed country landscape analyses
• Establish partnerships and contracts with credible agencies/institutions in-country to guide the implementation of nutrition content services (with some support from CABI country teams and consortium partners)
• Manage the delivery of in-country workshops and accompanying materials to launch the country frameworks to the mobile, health & agri communities and deliver reporting on these workshops in the 4 countries where CABI is leading
• Lead the recruitment of local content providers in accordance to the quality standards (Service Level Agreement, Terms of Reference (TOR) and Funding Agreement (FA)) for local content partners set by the consortium in collaboration with the country offices in 4 countries where CABI is leading
• Development of work plan & budget with local content provider organisations and ongoing monitoring and review of their activities
• Support the local content provider to develop initial business case for content development (e.g. revenue share with MNO)
• Lead the planning and execution of annual country reviews (workshops) in collaboration with the country offices in the CABI lead countries
• Support local service providers in development of high quality mNutrition services in the 4 CABI lead countries and provide guidance on the creation of nutrition related mobile messaging for farmers, extension workers and other target audiences
• Maintain regular contact with project partners responsible for the implementation and technical assistance
• Ensure all project reports are submitted on a timely basis in line with the local partnership agreements, HQ requirements and the overall consortium agreement
• Ensure accurate and timely management of the funds and track budget utilization with support from the concerned persons and teams
• Support the Strategic Business Development Programme Manager on the development of human interest stories and support the convening of meetings,discussion series or any dissemination events as needed and assist in documenting the proceedings
• Collaborate with the Monitoring & Evaluation agencies put in place by GSMA and DFID and track key indicators of relevance to CABI
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Knowledge & Skills
• In depth knowledge of nutrition specific health for women and children and nutrition-sensitive agriculture at a global level, with particular focus on application in African and South Asian countries
• Understanding of behavioural change programmes and interventions
• Ability to work with external partners in a collaborative manner, giving advice & support where needed
• Excellent project management skills and ability to demonstrate progress
• Proven skills to collaborate in and broker partnerships between entities from different sectors (government, NGO’s private sector ), and working in a multi-cultural environment and team
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills
• Ability to prioritize multi-tasking work under pressure to meet strict deadlines
• Good communication skills and report writing ability (English a prerequisite, French is an advantage )
• High level of integrity and empathy
• IT literate with excellent MS Office skills
Experience
• 5 years+ of experience in managing nutrition related projects in Africa & Asia in the field of
development
• Experience of working with mobile technologies and designing/ implementing nutrition specific or nutrition sensitive interventions in the sectors of health and agriculture in developing countries is highly desirable
• Proven ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural , virtual team environment is critical
Education & Qualifications
• Nutrition-related higher degree essential (e.g. MSc, PhD)
Personality Characteristics
• Strong communication skills are essential and will be key to the success of the role
• Ability to present ideas in user-friendly language to non-technical staff and end users
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Be honest, trustworthy and respectful
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Be flexible
NOTE
This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. It is expected that the post holder and CABI will adopt a flexible attitude and accept that the duties may have to be varied according to circumstances, in particular changing corporate requirements and individual development needs.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
CABI is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or marital status. No applicant will be disadvantaged by conditions which cannot be shown to be justified and selection will be based on merit.
By taking the CABI Equal Opportunities Survey you will be helping us to follow best practice recommendations that employers should monitor selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved. Please follow the link to take the survey.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply please send the following to [email protected] quoting Job Reference 52/2014 and stating where you saw this post advertised:
1. a covering letter describing in full how you meet the candidate profile, and to include details of your current remuneration;
2. a full Curriculum Vitae;
3. the names and contact details of three referees, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer – referees will not be contacted without your prior permission.
Please note the closing date for the receipt of applications is 17.00 BST on 24 September 2014.