INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (IITA)

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT

 Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): Head of Mission

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is an international non-profit research for development (R4D) organization established in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees and supported primarily by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). IITA is an institution that generates agricultural innovations to address Africa's most pressing challenges, namely hunger, malnutrition, poverty and the degradation of natural resources. Working with partners in sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, strengthen food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve the integrity of natural resources. For more information on IITA, please visit http://www.iita.org/

Background

The Government of the Republic of Madagascar has received financing from the World Bank for the implementation of the Rural Livelihood Productivity and Resilience Project (RIZ PLUS). This project aims to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen the resilience of rural households and promote food and nutrition security in the intervention areas.

The Head of Mission is responsible for the operational management of the Coordination Unit, the inter-institutional steering of the Consortium, the methodological quality and contractual compliance of deliverables, and the economic performance of the contract over 32 months. The Project Head of mission reports hierarchically to the IITA Country Representative in Madagascar and is functionally supervised by the Consortium Steering Committee.

III. KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

His/her main responsibilities include:

• Ensure the operational management of the Coordination Unit, the inter-institutional management of the Consortium, the methodological quality and contractual compliance of the deliverables, and the economic performance of the contract,
• Ensure the technical and operational coordination of all RIZ PLUS project activities in the field;
• Ensure institutional communication, organize and facilitate coordination meetings with field teams and partners;
• Ensure contract management with the Client and the World Bank, including full control of procurement procedures;
• Supervise, supervise and provide technical support to the field teams (e-voucher agents, local agricultural advisors and other support staff) and ensure the operational management of the multidisciplinary team;
• Ensure annual planning (Work Plan and Annual Budget) and operational planning (100-day Plan) and ensure the follow-up of its execution;
• Coordinate field interventions in conjunction with local partners, administrative authorities and producer organizations (POs);
• Provide technical and organizational support to the producer organizations (POs) benefiting from the project;
• Ensure the monitoring and evaluation of activities: collection, analysis and consolidation of performance and impact data;
• Identify constraints and difficulties encountered in the field and propose corrective measures;
• Write and transmit periodic technical reports (quarterly and annual reporting, and orderly closure) to the program coordination;
• Ensure the proper application of the technical, administrative and financial procedures of the project in the field;
• Represent the project to local authorities, partners and beneficiaries in the area of intervention;
• Contribute to the capitalization of experiences and good practices resulting from the implementation of the project;
• Ensure compliance with the principles of environmental and social safeguard as well as inclusion (gender, youth) in the implementation of activities.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of general experience including 10 years in coordination or senior technical assistance on agricultural development programs funded by international donors.
• Proven experience in supporting producer organisations (POs).
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
• Proven experience with at least one CGIAR institution is a highly valued asset.
• Previous operational experience in Madagascar or the Indian Ocean is a substantial asset
• Experience in coordinating a response to a donor call for tenders in a consortium is an additional asset.

Education

• Master's degree diploma in agronomy, economics, agro-economics, rural development, business engineering, management, management sciences applied to development, strategic marketing, social sciences. Additional specialization in project management, entrepreneurship, or business law is a significant asset, or any other equivalent field.

Competencies

• Proficiency in World Bank and multilateral donor procedures (procurement, E&S safeguards, reporting).
• Proven ability to lead a multi-member consortium (Consortium Agreement, RACI matrix, Steering Committee, escalation protocol).
• Development and facilitation of standard management tools (PTBA, risk matrix, 100-Day Plan, cash flow plan, dashboard)
• Educational design and capacity building for rural operators, with adaptation for audiences with low literacy levels.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks, as well as cohort tracking.
• Analysis of agricultural value chains; practical knowledge of the rice sector is a significant asset
• Proficiency in the OHADA framework applicable to cooperatives and consortium agreements.
• Institutional leadership and the ability to interact with high-level stakeholders; inter-institutional facilitation and mediation; methodological rigor meeting multilateral standards; operational autonomy in rural field settings
• French and English as a working language

Benefits

Duty station: Antananarivo, Madagascar with frequent travel in the regions and rural areas of intervention

CLOSING DATE:7 AUGUST 2026

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, with a particular focus on female candidates.

All applications will be considered, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.