Country Representative, CÔTE of ivory

Country Representative, Côte d’Ivoire International contract on site Abidjan , Abidjan Autonomous District , Côte d’Ivoire Description

Job overview

Education / Qualifications

WorldFish is an international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition and poverty. It works with international, regional and national partners to co-develop and disseminate scientific innovations, evidence for policy development and knowledge that enables equitable and inclusive impact for millions of people who rely on fish and other aquatic products for their livelihoods and food. Our work in countries contributes to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through science and innovation, with a vision of healthy people, a healthy planet and shared prosperity. About the job The country representative is responsible for designing and steering the research strategy and operational activities in the country/region, ensuring that they are aligned with national development priorities and research needs. He/She oversees a portfolio of research projects for development and fundraising. This role involves managing local staff, developing relationships with government bodies, national partners, donors and civil society, as well as promoting the organization’s mission through high-level exchanges and dissemination of research results. The country representative oversees office operations, risk management, financial reporting and quality assurance of research portfolio management to ensure efficient and high-quality services.

Responsibilities

Main objective of the position: Design and lead the implementation of the research strategy and operational guidance in Côte d’Ivoire, in line with the organization’s strategy, ensuring a strong alignment with the country’s development priorities and research needs. As the organization’s spokesperson in the country, he represents the organization’s interests to the highest levels of government, in accordance with agreements with the host country, national partners and research organizations, to promote and advance the organization’s research agenda. Advise senior management on opportunities, risks and trends related to research and program implementation. Lead and oversee the implementation of a development research portfolio, ensuring its alignment with the organization’s strategy, research objectives and the context of Côte d’Ivoire. Identify funding opportunities and develop and review project proposals to support fundraising in Côte d’Ivoire. Identify, design and lead the implementation of innovative research projects in the field of disciplinary expertise, resulting in the production of high-quality scientific results, including peer-reviewed scientific papers, and impacts on development. Establish working relationships with policy makers to support the development and implementation of government policies, programs and budgets related to the organization’s mandate. Key responsibilities for engagement, collaboration and communication: Manage local staff, foster a collaborative, respectful and inclusive environment, oversee performance evaluations and identify opportunities for professional development. Lead and oversee the communication of research results and development impacts across a wide range of channels, including peer-reviewed journals, media, development policy and national and international scientific conferences, to promote the adoption of the organization’s and CGIAR’s research findings, in coordination with the Communication and Partnership Units. Defend the interests of the organization, build relationships and identify opportunities for synergies with government bodies, national partners, (potential) donors, civil society and the private sector, promoting the organization’s mission and research agenda as well as Côte d’Ivoire’s priorities. Build relationships with donors, civil society and the private sector to mobilize resources and increase visibility of the organization’s work.

Other information

Ensure alignment with CGIAR centres and other research programs (CGIAR) in the region to maintain coherence of the research strategy. Key responsibilities for delivering quality and timely services: Manage the development and timely implementation of the office’s annual work plan, including program plans, ensuring compliance with the allocated budget; the budget and project portfolio cover several key focus areas. Lead country office management and operations, including risk management, security, business and resource management, as well as (financial) reporting, in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures to ensure efficient and high-quality delivery. Review and ensure the quality of reports, presentations and findings from the office, with respect to operational and research portfolio management and reporting to donors. Requirements

Candidate profile

This position may be suitable for you if you have the following skills and qualifications:

Experience

A Ph.D. in relevant disciplines such as fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic resource management, international development, environmental sciences or related fields, with a minimum of 10 years of experience leading research programs. Experience in the development and direction of research for development programs, related to the mission of the organization, throughout the West African region, beyond Côte d’Ivoire. Experience leading multicultural teams in different locations and implementing systemic thinking. Proven experience in building and maintaining high-level partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, donors and experts, promoting research priorities and facilitating collaboration, as well as exercising strong policy competence. Experience in identifying funding sources, piloting proposal development and obtaining financial resources to support research programs. In-depth knowledge of global fundraising trends and the international donor landscape. Experience with an international non-profit research organization is an asset. Fluency in English and French is essential for communicating both orally and in writing. Desired Skills/Experience Significant experience working in Côte d’Ivoire or Francophone West Africa, with established networks within the government and in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Experience in relations with donors (EU, AFD, AfDB, World Bank, USAID, FCDO, foundations) and proven success in obtaining funding. Strong leadership skills in multi-stakeholder platforms, policy dialogues and partnerships with the private sector. Key skills required Basic skills Responsibility: Takes responsibility for its actions and their impact on the success of the organization, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of team, office or project results; Develops organizational policies to maintain and reflect high ethical standards. Collaboration and communication: Expresses ideas clearly and confidently, adapting messages to audience and responses based on verbal and non-verbal cues to ensure mutual understanding; Actively seeks participation and collaboration, fostering dialogue and shared understanding in discussions; Encourages cross-functional collaboration in planning and decision making. Respect and Inclusion: Creates a positive and inclusive work environment through proactive communication and cultural sensitivity; leads initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion, fostering healthy relationships and keeping one’s cool in difficult situations. Results Orientation and Impact: Sets high performance standards and is committed to quality, excellence and continuous learning; develops, plans and implements strategies, sets realistic goals and leads cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals. Functional and technical skills Analytical, Critical and Systemic Thinking: Formulates strategic recommendations, leverages systemic thinking to foster innovation and adaptability, and integrates complex interlinkages between functions and programs. Monitoring and reporting: Prioritizes critical needs for monitoring information and designs integrated tracking solutions using various tools and platforms; provides actionable insights for decision-making and leads the writing of comprehensive reports that integrate diverse information and data. Influence and negotiation: Demonstrates a fair balance between patience and firmness in negotiations, adapting its approach to achieve positive results, remains calm under pressure, demonstrates objectivity and practices active listening and reflection to resolve differences of opinion constructively. Planning and organization: Identifies opportunities for collaboration between teams and offices to achieve goals, leads the development and implementation of strategic plans, effectively delegates tasks to optimize team strengths, and creates and manages realistic schedules while monitoring time and progress. Project/Program Management: Monitors project and portfolio delivery, effectively manages budgets and risks, intervenes as needed to maintain progress, manages large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders, and establishes project management tools and work plans with clear objectives and indicators for successful implementation and impact. Resource Mobilization: Develops and implements strategic resource mobilization plans, negotiates and secures long-term partnerships and funding, and uses data-driven strategies to plan for and achieve objectives aligned with the organization’s priorities. Leadership and management skills a) Management of team dynamics Uses emotional intelligence to build trust and positive relationships with team members and stakeholders, managing difficulties with empathy. It mentors and supports colleagues by fostering a safe learning space, setting and evaluating clear performance goals aligned with the growth of the organization, and providing constructive feedback to support professional development. Encourages and promotes individual and collective responsibility for well-being, health and safety at work, inspires proactive actions to ensure safe and inclusive practices, and builds mutual trust. (b) Strategic leadership It builds trust and respect by actively engaging with stakeholders, responding to their needs, aligning innovation strategies with their priorities, keeping them informed of developments and stimulating collaborative efforts. Leads and supports change initiatives by promoting adaptability, addressing barriers, tracking progress, and using proactive approaches to consultation and engagement. Anticipates and assesses risks within teams or functions, ensuring alignment with business objectives and compliance requirements, and implements proactive risk mitigation strategies. Demonstrates commitment to the organization’s vision and mission by aligning its contributions with organizational goals, balancing short- and long-term goals in decision making, and introducing and adapting to emerging technologies. Benefits This Internationally Recruited Personnel (IRP) position offers an annual salary of $80,000 to $105,000. The WorldFish PRI will benefit from a favourable pension plan, comprehensive health insurance, life insurance, accident insurance and long-term disability insurance. Internationally recruited staff employed outside their country of origin/nationality will also be eligible for relocation assistance, housing allowance, air tickets to return home and for eligible dependants, as well as financial assistance for the schooling of dependent children aged 4 until graduation from high school. The duration of the contract is initially three years, with the possibility of extension depending on financing and performance. All benefits are subject to conditions.

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