Senior Programme Officer Capacity Building and Advocacy (32 hours per week)

Omschrijving vacature

ILEIA – Centre for Learning on sustainable agriculture

ILEIA (www.ileia.org) supports small-scale family farmers around the world in improving their livelihoods and strategic position. For many years ILEIA has been in the frontline of knowledge building and information sharing on agro-ecology and family farming. Today, half a million farmers, agricultural practitioners, scientists and policymakers around the world read and contribute to ILEIA’s magazine Farming Matters, in either its printed or electronic version. ILEIA also manages the secretariat of the Agricultures Network, a global network of organisations which produces seven regional editions of the magazine (www.agriculturesnetwork.org). Capacity building of farmers’ organisations and NGOs to systematise practical experience and practice-based advocacy are two key activities of ILEIA that are presently gaining importance.

Senior  Programme Officer Capacity Building and Advocacy (32 hours per week)

Description of the position

As part of the ILEIA team the senior programme officer is co-responsible for the development and implementation of the 2012-2016 strategy. His/her special focus will be on further developing the capacity building for systematisation programme. In close consultation with ILEIA colleagues and AgriCultures partners, the senior programme officer will identify opportunities for policy advocacy. S/he will build a network of contacts that is relevant for policy dialogue and advocacy at institutional, policy and political levels. S/he will create synergy between ILEIA’s initiatives to promote knowledge sharing, systematisation, and policy advocacy, and thus contribute to an enabling environment for sustainable family farming.

Responsibilities

1. Develop, implement and monitor a  capacity building for systematisation strategy that builds on and strengthens existing efforts of ILEIA and the AgriCultures Network;
2. Develop and monitor a strategy for practice-based advocacy, in close collaboration with colleagues in ILEIA and the AgriCultures Network; 
3. Organise and facilitate capacity building workshops in systematisation and practice-based advocacy, at national and regional levels;
4. Monitor programme and project budgets, ensuring quality and contract compliance;
5. Coordinate the preparation of proposals and bids to institutional funders, trusts and foundations as well as corporate donors;
6. Engage in strategic networking with key actors in sustainable agriculture, including farmers’ organisations, NGOs, national and international knowledge institutions, donors and private enterprises;
7. Management of staff and volunteers involved in policy related activities;
8. Contribute to the development and implementation of the priorities of the AgriCultures Network;
9. Regularly contribute to the  AgriCultures Network website, Farming Matters and other media;
10. Make the AgriCultures Network voice heard in international debates.

Competencies

1. Proactive, solution focused and result oriented;
2. Team worker with a facilitating style of leadership;
3. Sensitive to opportunities;
4. Easy communicator, both verbally and in writing;
5. Conceptual thinker with a quick overview of complex situations; 
6. Strategic and practical thinking skills;
7. Persuasive, strong networker, negotiation skills;
8. Comfortable with participatory, learning oriented and gender sensitive approaches.

Requirements

1. 5 -10 years of experience which should include:

·         Project management with a budget responsibility;

·         Practical experience in sustainable agriculture programmes in Africa, Asia and/or Latin America;

·         Experience in facilitating multi stakeholder processes;

·         Experience with policy dialogue and advocacy;

·         Planning and implementing workshops on developmental issues; 

2. A functional network with key actors in sustainable agriculture,  farmers organisations, knowledge institutions, funders and donors;
3. Masters degree in international development studies, communication studies and /or sustainable agriculture; 
4. Excellent English language skills plus one other language;
5. Excellent writing skills.

ILEIA’s office is based in Wageningen, the Netherlands.

Candidates are requested to send a letter of application, a CV, two examples of their own written work, and the names and addresses of three referees to: office@ileia.org.

For more information about the position available please contact Edith van Walsum, Telephone: +31 (0)33-4673870 or mail to office@ileia.org.

Closing date for applications:  10 February 2012