V A C A N C Y    A N N O U N C E M E N T

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS
P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105;
E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG
Website: www.icarda.org
Head, Program Facilitation Unit
CGIAR Program for Central Asia and the Caucasus
and Regional Coordinator, ICARDA
The Organization
Established in 1977 as an autonomous, non-profit, international research center, ICARDA is one of the 15 international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme. ICARDAs mission is to contribute to the improvement of livelihoods of the resource-poor in dry areas by enhancing food security and alleviating poverty through research and partnerships to achieve sustainable increases in agricultural productivity and income, while ensuring the efficient and more equitable use and conservation of natural resources. With its main research station and headquarters in Aleppo, Syria, and a staff of over 500 scientists and support personnel, ICARDA works through a network of partnerships with national agricultural research systems (NARS), regional and international institutions, universities, advanced research institutes, and non-governmental organizations. In addition to its headquarter's programs, ICARDA operates throughout the non-tropical dry areas through regional programs and country offices.

The CGIAR Program for Central Asia and the Caucasus
This collaborative program "Sustainable Agricultural Development in Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC)" was jointly initiated in 1998 by a consortium of nine CGIAR Centers (CIMMYT, CIP, ICARDA, ICRISAT, IFPRI, ILRI, IPGRI, ISNAR, and IWMI) and the national agricultural systems (NARS) of the eight countries of the CAC region; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in Central Asia, and Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in the Caucasus. It is designed to meet national goals by increasing agricultural productivity, improving natural resource management and conservation of genetic material, and strengthening agricultural research management and policy procedures. It fosters cooperation between CAC countries and between them and international research organizations. The partners include eight NARS, nine CGIAR Centers, donors, NGOs and other international and national research and development institutions. A Task Force of the CGIAR Center Directors General Committee (CDC) is responsible for CGIAR inputs and liaison between the participating Centers.

A Program Steering Committee (PSC) provides overall Program management, with responsibility for guidance, information exchange, progress monitoring, and review of research results. The Program is supported by a Program Facilitation Unit (PFU), housed at the Office of the ICARDA Regional Program for Central Asia and the Caucasus in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. ICARDA serves as the focal point to support the activities of the Consortium and implementation of the Program.

The Position
The Head of the Program Facilitation Unit (PFU) will report to the PSC / CDC Task Force for CAC. The Head will be responsible for:
1-
 Providing the required support to the PSC, and the CDC Task Force in their functions. S/he will be the Secretary to the PSC.
2-
 In collaboration with the participating CG Centers, preparing the annual work program and budget of PFU for approval by the PSC.
3-
 Providing the necessary support to all CGIAR Centers for effective implementation of the Program and efficient utilization of resources, including organization of meetings and workshops, language translation and interpretation, internal travel arrangements, communications, etc.
4-
 Ensuring that the PFU functions as a central documentation and information exchange center and as a repository for Program documents and publications, and developing mechanisms for information exchange through the use of appropriate information technology, including brief reports and a newsletter on agricultural research in CAC.
5-
 Assisting Consortium members in preparing collaborative projects with the NARS, and arranging for their technical appraisal through the Center-designated focal point scientists before they are presented to the PSC.
6-
 Facilitating communication of Consortium members with relevant advanced research institutions to ensure that the most appropriate science and technology is employed to develop interventions.
7-
 Maintaining contact with institutions outside this Program that have research activities in the CAC region, and establishing links with other international agencies operating there, to identify potential partners.
8-
 Financial management of the PFU; preparing periodic reports on cash flows, budgets, financial performance, etc. Liaison with the Finance Department at ICARDA Headquarters for ensuring proper financial management and accountability.
9-
 Coordination of ICARDA activities in the region, as Coordinator of the Center's Regional Program for CAC, devoting 30% of his/her time. For this s/he will be responsible to the Director General of ICARDA through the Assistant Director General for International Cooperation and Communication.
10-
 Ensuring the development and implementation of the regional research agenda for the CAC region, addressing shared research priorities of the region. This includes contribution to resource mobilization and proposal writing.
11-
 Ensuring the implementation of the research for development continuum in the CAC region by building needed partnerships along impact pathways to enhance the uptake of research outputs.

Required Qualifications and Competencies
•
 A PhD degree in agriculture or a related field
•
 A proven record of scientific accomplishment
•
 At least 15 years experience in agricultural research
•
 At least eight years experience of leading interdisciplinary scientific teams, Senior Research Management and coordination of research and development activities
•
 Experience of guiding developing-country national programs in the formulation of research and human resource development programs
•
 A good understanding of the CGIAR System and experience of working with CG Centers
•
 Extensive experience in administrative and financial management of research programs
•
 Excellent interpersonal relationships and an ability to approach national leaders and donors at the highest level
•
 Fluency in written and spoken English is essential
•
 Proficiency in Russian or one of the local languages of the CAC region advantageous

Terms of Appointment
The appointment will be for an initial period of two years, renewable thereafter on an annual basis. The salary is paid in US Dollars. Benefits include a housing allowance, paid home leave travel, a pension scheme, a life and health insurance package, a vehicle for business and personal use, and support for dependents' education according to ICARDA Policy.

Application
Qualified applicants are invited to send:
1-
A covering letter (no more than two pages) highlighting the candidate's experience against the criteria listed under Qualifications and Competencies, including salary expectations and noting where the candidate saw the advertisement.
2-
Curriculum vitae
3-
Names, addresses, fax numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional referees (they will not be contacted without the candidate's permission),
to:
Personnel Services
ICARDA, P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Telephone: (963-21) 2213477, 2225112, or 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105, or 5744622
E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG
Website: http://www.icarda.org
              (If sending by e-mail, please do not include graphics or other large file attachments)

Quote reference INT-P/8275/09 on the application (or in subject line if applying by e-mail)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 31 July 2009

ICARDA is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from women
Applications will be acknowledged, but only short listed candidates will be contacted

Posted on 16 June 2009
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