Reference: B017234

Group Summary

The goal of the foundation’s Agricultural Development (AgDev) program is to support country-led inclusive agricultural transformation across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The program focuses on four strategic goals that help drive agricultural transformation and that ensure this transformation is inclusive: increasing agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers (SHF); increasing SHF household income; increasing equitable consumption of safe, affordable, and nutritious diets year-round; and increasing women’s empowerment in agriculture. Recently, AgDev has increased our focus on climate adaptation throughout our strategy and within our investments. The foundation invests in the ag sector and in these ways because increasing productivity in agriculture has proven to be more effective at lifting people out of poverty than growth in other sectors.

Leadership and Culture

We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment in which they thrive, will do phenomenal things.

Position Summary & Core Responsibilities

As a key contributor on portfolio strategy, the Senior Program Officer, Genetic Improvement and Seed Systems, Crops Research and Development (SPO), will contribute to the continued development of the AgDev R&D team’s vision for innovation in crop genetic improvement and seed systems, while partnering closely with team leadership to refine and advance the overall strategy and goals for the portfolio. This will include actively tracking advances in science and technology to find opportunities to develop novel interventions and translate them into programs and deliverables that address constraints facing small-scale agricultural producers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Additionally, you will be expected to:

• Identify, evaluate and develop new opportunities to apply emerging technologies and new scientific understanding to improve crop productivity, farmer income and nutritional outcomes in the face of climate change. Prepare and write briefs and synthesize existing literature.  Provide written analysis of key topics for foundation management. 
• Strategically develop and lead a portfolio of investments requiring high-level grant management skills, monitoring and evaluation. This includes:
  • Negotiate, execute, and manage all aspects of a complex portfolio of grants or performance-based contracts.
  • Monitor internal processes and portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, grant budgeting and reporting. 
  • Improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Review letters of inquiry and grant proposals and provide clear, concise and insightful written analyses and recommendations for funding.
• Consult with grantees and other partners to improve impact of projects and ensure grants are meeting goals. This may include: support for grant development, site visits, providing operational guidance, convening meetings of key stakeholders, and applying and evaluating milestone-based performance objectives.
• Develop, run, resource, and implement a program that aligns with foundation strategy and is operationally integrated with other foundation investments. Contribute to the design of new strategies, collaborations and implementation plans to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
• Represent the foundation to key program-related external constituencies, as appropriate, at meetings or on committees related to area of expertise and responsibilities of the position.

Position reports to: Deputy Director, Crops Research & Development, Agricultural Development

Core Knowledge & Skills

You are a creative, thoughtful and curious professional who has a strong track record of achievement in roles of increasing responsibility. You should enjoy solving complex problems, be a natural collaborator and communicator and be prepared to work across a diverse set of disciplines, bridging a wide range of expertise, with a capability to work with agility, efficiency and diplomacy in a dynamic environment. Additionally, we seek:

• Internal and external recognition in the global professional community as a leader within a relevant area of plant breeding and/or seed science.
• Ability to lead and influence others in a constructive manner and to build and sustain collaborative relationships as part of a dynamic team.
• Knowledge and experience to serve as a technical resource to teams and leadership on decision analysis, product development, public-private partnerships, and sustainable scaling of technology.
• The capacity to design, evaluate, rationalize, and make major investments in agricultural research and development to achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience developing, managing, and implementing project strategies and the negotiation, execution and management of performance-based contracts.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.
• Strong quantitative analytic skills, along with broad knowledge of agriculture and the constraints limiting productivity for small-scale farmers in resource-limited environments.
• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people and commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• The ability to travel internationally 20-30% of the time. International work experience is essential.

Education & Experience

• A PhD or other advanced degree in a discipline relevant to crop genetic improvement, including quantitative genetics, seed science or a closely related field.
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in product development and/or leading a research program gained within the agricultural industry, academic or public-sector with an applied focus and track record of independently designing and executing successful projects.
• Experience in crop genetic improvement or seed systems in low-income countries.
• An outstanding record of achievement, creativity and initiative in the field as indicated by publications, patents, and/or products.
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills in positions requiring communication with a broad and diverse audience.

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Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Depending upon your work location, we may require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and any recommended booster doses. All employees based in the United States are to provide proof of full vaccination upon hire and any recommended boosters, subject to applicable laws.

Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to hr@gatesfoundation.org.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all of our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.

To apply

Please apply online at https://gatesfoundation.contacthr.com/106043323