V A C A N C Y    A N N O U N C E M E N T

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS
P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105;
E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG
Website: www.icarda.org
Assistant Director General
International Cooperation and Communication
Aleppo, Syria
The Organization
Established in 1977 as an autonomous, non-profit, international research center, ICARDA is one of the 15 international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme. ICARDA's mission is to contribute to the improvement of livelihoods of the resource-poor in dry areas by enhancing food security and alleviating poverty through research and partnerships to achieve sustainable increases in agricultural productivity and income, while ensuring the efficient and more equitable use and conservation of natural resources. With its main research station and headquarters in Aleppo, Syria, and a staff of over 500 scientists and support personnel, ICARDA works through a network of partnerships with national agricultural research systems (NARS), regional and international institutions, universities, advanced research institutes, and non-governmental organizations. In addition to its headquarters programs, ICARDA operates throughout the non-tropical dry areas through regional programs and country offices.

The Position
The Assistant Director General for International Cooperation and Communication (ADG-ICC) reports directly to the Director General and is responsible for strategic resource mobilization, external relations with the Center's partners and donors, and oversight of the Center's outreach program. He/she will also provide leadership and direction to the Center's regional coordinators and country managers, the Resource Mobilization and Project Development Unit, the Communications and Public Awareness Unit and the Capacity Development Unit.

He/she will be a member of the Executive Committee of ICARDA and will work in close collaboration with the other members of the committee, including the Deputy Director General for Research and the Assistant Director General for Corporate Services.

Specifically, the ADG-ICC will be responsible for:

International Cooperation and Outreach Program:
•
 Develop an international cooperation and public awareness strategy.
•

Maintain and promote relations with national research programs in the countries with which ICARDA collaborates and with other partners.
•

Serve as ICARDA's primary point of contact with national partners through visits, coordination meetings, development of collaborative agreements, etc.
•
 Identify opportunities for collaboration and develop collaborative activities and projects with NARS.
•
 Oversee and coordinate ICARDA's activities aimed at strengthening of NARS partners through capacity building, training and institutional development.
•
 Provide leadership to ICARDA's outreach program and define and strengthen the role of the Center's regional offices in project management, collaboration with national partners, resource mobilization and public awareness.
•
 Assist in developing policies and procedures related to international cooperation and the operations of ICARDA's outreach programs.
•
 Ensure effective functioning of ICARDA's research continuum from headquarters to outreach by providing feedback from regional offices and national programs to ICARDA's research programs and facilitating and monitoring the joint implementation of collaborative projects.
•
 Work with the DDG-Research in implementing ICARDA's Strategic Plan.

Resource Mobilization and Donor Relations:
•
 Develop a resource mobilization and donor relations strategy
•

Develop appropriate in-house policies and procedures to support resource mobilization.
•

Assist the Director General in mobilizing funding from various sources and develop a broader donor base to maintain and expand funding for the Center.

•
 Serve as ICARDA's primary point of contact for donors and build donor interest and support through global promotion of ICARDA's activities and achievements.
•
 Develop and oversee a communications and public awareness strategy that effectively supports the Center's resource mobilization objectives.
•
 Work closely with the DDG-Research in identifying priority areas to be funded.
•
 Develop innovative approaches to mobilizing resources, identify new sources of funding and develop specific strategies and operational plans to target different funding sources.
•
 Contribute to resource mobilization by exploring opportunities for funding and notifying the Directorate and staff of such opportunities.
•
 Oversee and monitor the development of projects and grant proposals and follow up with donors.
•
 Strengthen and coordinate reporting of results and achievements to donors and stakeholders.
•
 Monitor progress in resource mobilization.

Qualifications and Experience
Earned Ph.D. in agriculture or other related subject; a minimum of 10 years experience in agricultural research and development, preferably in the dry areas, and at least five years international experience in a leadership position; proven experience in donor relations, communications, resource mobilization and project management; demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with cooperating organizations and institutions; excellent communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of Arabic and/or French will be an advantage.

Terms of Appointment
The appointment will be for an initial period of three years, renewable thereafter on an annual basis. The salary is paid in US dollars. Benefits include relocation, housing allowance, paid annual home leave travel, a pension scheme, life and health insurance package, vehicle for business and personal use, and free enrollment for dependent children in the ICARDA-administered International School (KG-Grade 12), which has an international baccalaureate program.

Living in Syria
ICARDA's headquarters are situated 30 km south of Aleppo, Syria's second largest city and a world heritage site. Syria has many historical and archaeological sites, some a short drive from Aleppo. There are four distinct seasons and the terrain varies from desert to mountains to fertile fruit orchards. Aleppo has an international airport served by major international airlines. All ICARDA staff lives within the city of Aleppo. The Center has its own sports and social club, located on the same site as the international school, which offers various sports facilities and social rooms. Syria is an extremely safe country in which to live and work and the level of personal security is very high. Many of ICARDA's internationally recruited personnel are long-term residents accompanied by their families.

Application
Qualified applicants are invited to send:
1-
a cover letter of interest, including recent salary history,
2-
Curriculum vitae
3-
names, addresses, fax numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional referees, and
4-
photocopies (non-returnable) of other relevant supporting documents,
to: 
 Personnel Services
ICARDA, P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Telephone: (963-21) 2213477, 2225112, or 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105, or 5744622
E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG
Website: http://www.icarda.org

              (If sending by e-mail, please do not include graphics or other large file attachments.)

REFERENCE: quote INT-P/8082/08 on the application (or in the subject line if applying by e-mail).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 10 August 2008 or until suitable candidates are identified.

ICARDA is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from women.
 

Posted on 29 June 2008 
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