Project Coordinator - Power of Diversity Funding Facility

The Global Crop Diversity Trust is an international organization with headquarters in Bonn, Germany whose mission is to ensure the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide. For further information about the Global Crop Diversity Trust, consult the web page at http://croptrust.org   

 

The Global Crop Diversity Trust is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of:

 

Project Coordinator - Power of Diversity Funding Facility

 

Under the direct supervision of the Crop Trust Director of Programs, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for implementing the Crop Trust’s Vision for Adapted Crop and Soils (VACS) Funding Facility Project, Power of Diversity (PoD) Pilot. PoD falls under the umbrella of the multi-donor Power of Diversity Funding Facility (PDFF), a mechanism to secure, enhance and enable the wider adoption of underutilized agricultural plant species to provide opportunities to diversify the global agrifood system and help meet the food and nutritional needs of a growing global population on a hotter planet. The PoD Pilot will serve as a proof of concept starting with seven countries and is designed to be rapidly 'scaled out' to various countries and “opportunity crops.” The Science Project Coordinator will work very closely with the BOLDER Project Coordinator to ensure cohesion and collaboration across the Crop Trust’s work on opportunity crops.

 

The PoD Pilot is a 5-year project that will be implemented starting in January 2025 and ending in 2029. It aims to increase nutrition security in Africa, Asia and Latin America through the enhanced conservation, production and consumption of nutritious but currently underused, climate resilient and environment-friendly crop species (“opportunity crops”).

                                                 

The responsibilities of the position include the following:

  

• Prepare and lead the implementation of the PoD Pilot (technical and financial project management), in close collaboration with all national and international partner organizations.
• Develop work plans for implementing the PoD Pilot activities. Establish and monitor the PoD Pilot budget. Negotiate, process and monitor partner and subgrantee contracts/agreements and reports, supported by the Crop Trust Finance and Contracts teams, and other experts.
• Ensure all project milestones are achieved within the projected timeframe.
• In consultation with the Crop Trust M&E Manager, lead the regular monitoring and evaluation of grantee performance/reporting to ensure that targets of PoD Pilot are achieved.
• Liaise with all implementation partners closely and proactively to troubleshoot problems and provide management and scientific advice and technical backstopping as appropriate, including site visits. Duty travel to partner sites in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as other locations, is required.
• Manage the performance and activities of the Project Specialist (PoD) assisting on the PoD Pilot, providing leadership to ensure tasks are completed in a timely manner and are in line with agreed standards.
• In close collaboration with internal and external experts, organize stakeholder consultations and workshops as necessary.
• In close collaboration with internal and external experts, lead the capacity building of PoD Pilot partners.
• Develop and coordinate a competitive grant programme for the development of opportunity crops in partner countries.
• Lead and coordinate the procurement of agreed equipment and consumables.
• Lead and coordinate the procurement, identification of  consultants and management of consultancy contracts to ensure that the proposed activities are completed as per the agreement. Serve as a budget holder of the PoD Pilot and manage the funds accordingly.
• Lead the PoD Management Team (PMT) and represent the PoD Pilot and the Crop Trust as necessary.
• Serve as focal point with project donor.
• Coordinate the preparation and approval of all donor reports and other technical reports.
• Write, or contribute to, reviews, scientific/technical publications, communication outputs and make presentations as necessary.
• Provide input and revise material for the Knowledge Base for opportunity crops to be developed by the project.
• Identify best practices and capture lessons learned.
• Monitor and update the risk register for the project.
• Stay abreast of scientific developments and institutional players in the area of responsibility.
• Stay abreast of relevant policy frameworks (Plant Treaty, CBD, etc.).
• Contribute to the smooth and coordinated functioning of the Crop Trust Programs Team, liaising with other teams as necessary for effective institutional cohesion.
• Contribute to the development of proposals for complementary projects.

 

Qualifications, Skills and Experience 


Education

• MSc in a relevant discipline (e.g. biology, agriculture, geography, economics, international relations or development studies) with relevant experience in plant genetic resources. 

Experience

• At least ten years of relevant and progressive professional experience, preferably in an international setting.
• Professional experience and expertise in Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation. 
• Experience in managing donor-funded development projects, including procurement procedures, contracting of service providers and financing agreements with implementing partners.
• Affinity with the Crop Trust's mission and a keen interest in participatory evaluation work with seedbanks, breeders and farmers in Africa.
• Strong computer skills, including good knowledge of databases, MS Office, and project management applications.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact effectively with a wide range of collaborators from different cultural backgrounds.
• High degree of initiative, judgement and creativity.
• Strong analytical skills in combination with impact-driven focus.

Language requirements

• Excellent English written and spoken required; proficiency in other relevant languages will be an advantage.

 

Terms and Conditions: The Crop Trust offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, a non-contributory retirement savings plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. This is a Professional position classified as Level 5 (Level 6 being the highest). The salary range for Level 5 starts at Euro 85,000. All benefits are denominated and paid in Euros. Staff of the Global Crop Diversity Trust (including German nationals) are exempt from host country income tax. Relocation costs are covered. The initial contract duration will be 3 years and will be subject to a probationary period of 12 months.

 

Applications: Interested candidates should submit the following (incomplete applications will not be considered):

 

1. A one-page motivation letter including summary of your qualifications and experience, indicating how you meet the expected set of skills and competencies for the position and your drivers for applying. 
2. Your Curriculum Vitae in English (please include your current residence address, telephone, and email address, date of birth, gender and nationality);
3. Names and full contact details of at least three referees.

 

 

Deadline for applications is 13 October 2024.

 

By submitting your application, you agree to the Crop Trust processing your personal data as

described here.

 

The Trust is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.