Executive Director - Sustain Africa at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Responsibilities

• The Executive Director is the leader of a small team staffed by IFDC and other Sustain Africa global partners
• The ED is the primary external representative of Sustain Africa and works consistently on expanding its platform amongst private sector, research institutions, donors and government relationships
• The ED has a consistent focus on fundraising to fund the different activities of Sustain Africa
• The ED is responsible for execution of the activities in the Fertilizer and Soil Health work stream
• The ED monitors and interprets the findings of the Sustain Africa Fertilizer Monitor; compiling its conclusions in quarterly reports and advising the Board on actions to be taken
• The ED monitors developments in farm inputs and soil health (e.g., liming, soil maps, green ammonia etc.)
• The ED advises internal (Board, global partners, other Sustain members) and external parties about Sustain
• Africa’s Lessons Learned and positioning on market and food systems development
• The ED will form a Leadership Team with the other Director(s) leading the Sustain FST and potentially other future work streams
• The ED drafts and updates the Sustain Africa Strategy
• The ED operates within the mandate for the role as laid down in the Sustain Africa Collaboration Agreement
• The ED secures operations of Sustain Africa within the constraints of prevailing legislation, compliance requirements, policies, and procedures within the host organization IFDC and budgets.

Requirements

• 7+ years of leadership experience in food systems development
• A master’s degree in a relevant academic field or comparable competences
• Experience in farm inputs markets, fertilizer, finance, and leadership/management.
• Entrepreneurial drive with a can-do attitude backed by solid analytical skills, judgment, and risk awareness
• Cultural overview and demonstrated mastery of multiple communicative leadership styles
• Pioneering and inquisitive personality
• Strong communication skills and media experience
• Proven track record as fundraiser
• Very strong team and platform builder
• Complex problem solving, creativity, negotiation
• Understanding of stakeholders’ position and strategic and financial interests in multi-stakeholder environments
• In depth knowledge of food systems and Food System Transition, key sustainability topics in F&A and in particular in the farm inputs sector
• Presentation skills on Board level and in international networks
• Fluent in English and preferably a second language, both verbal and written.