VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
(Ref. No. IRS/152/042016)
PROGRAMME MANAGER
BIO-INNOVATE PROGRAMME
icipe — African Insect Science for Food and Health is a world-class research centre with a mission to
alleviate poverty by ensuring food security, improving health, protecting the environment and building the
capacity of researchers and communities across the developing world through the application of insect
sciences. Employing more than 500 national and international staff, icipe is headquartered in Nairobi,
Kenya with outposts in Ethiopia and on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. icipe has a proud
reputation and history of delivering world-quality science that has made crucial contributions to African food
and health policy, delivered development outcomes to rural communities, and has been at the forefront of
building Africa’s biological research capacity. The Centre’s research activities span the African continent
with partnerships linking research organisations, not only across Africa, but also the globe. In addition, more
than 100 graduate students and a number of postdoctoral fellows contribute to icipe’s research portfolio
annually. For more information visit: www.icipe.org
Please also download icipe’s Vision and Strategy 2013–2020 http://www.icipe.org/images/stories/pdf/
about_us/icipe_Vision_and_Strategy_2013-2020.pdf
The Bio-resources Innovations Network for Eastern Africa Development (Bio-Innovate) Programme is a
regional initiative established in 2010 with support from Sida, Sweden to support bioscience research and
innovation activities in eastern Africa. It addresses regional priorities in science, technology and innovation
aligned with the AU-NEPAD’s Science Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA), the science
agenda for Africa (S3A) and the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP).
Bio-Innovate’s goal is to improve productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers and agro-processors
in eastern Africa, while ensuring environmental sustainability. It seeks to promote inclusive growth by linking
smallholder farmers to new market niches characterised by sustainable and resource efficient value chains.
The Programme brings critical players from the public and private sectors together, to promote bioscience
innovation in six eastern African countries, namely Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and
Uganda. During its first implementation Phase (2010–2015), the Programme had the goal of mobilising and
deploying bioscience innovation systems to harness bio-resources in the eastern Africa region, whereby
innovations for sustainable utilisation, transformation and integration of eastern Africa’s bio-resources
would be discovered, developed, intensified, and disseminated to promote regional economic growth
and development. Phase II, hosted at the International Centre of Insect Physiology (icipe), will focus on
developing more capacity and devote more of its resources towards assisting innovation projects move
further along the innovation chain into the market. For more information on Bio-Innovate please visit: http://
www.bioinnovate-africa.org/
icipe wishes to recruit for the position, PROGRAMME MANAGER, BIO-INNOVATE PROGRAMME, tenable
in Nairobi at the icipe Duduville campus. The appointment will initially be for two years, with a possibility
of extension after successfully completing a six-month probation period of the first contract. A competitive
and generous compensation package that includes housing and transport allowances, child education
allowance up to university first degree, comprehensive health and life insurance, an offshore retirement
package, all payable in US dollars, will be offered to the right candidate. Furthermore, the incumbent will
receive a paid vacation/annual airfare, and duty free privileges. If the successful candidate is appointed
from outside Kenya, he or she will be offered support to relocate and settle in the city. Only shortlisted
candidates will be acknowledged.
Living in Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, with a population of over three million and plentiful
supermarkets, malls, bars and restaurants, as well as many parks and open spaces. Although it is important
to be conscious of security, Kenyans are warm, welcoming and forgiving of visitors.
Nairobi has a thriving international research scene, hosting various CGIAR centres and several UN agencies.
icipe employs a number of international staff.
Overall purpose of the job
The overall purpose of the job is to steer and manage a competitive bioscience innovation research council,
including designing, planning, executing and reporting programmatic results. Reporting to the Director
of Research and Partnerships the successful applicant will be part of a multidisciplinary Programme
Management Office team coordinating the activities of the initiative.
Responsibilities
nn Provide overall leadership in managing the programne, including technical and financial oversight.
nn Establish and manage the competitive grant scheme, including designing and rolling out of call process.
nn Oversee the selection and contracting of partner institutions (sub grantees) for implementation of
projects, as well as procurement and management of consultancies.
nn Lead and mentor programme staff to effectively and efficiently execute programme activities.
nn Ensure prudent, accountable and efficient utilisation of donor funds.
nn Provide strong support to project leaders, leading to timely delivery of project results.
nn Develop and implement programme and project operational procedures.
nn Provide overall leadership in managing and steering partnerships to meet consortia projects’ objectives.
nn Track and report all aspects of programme performance, including coordinating monitoring, evaluating
and learning processes, to ensure funded projects deliver on time and on budget.
nn Provide overall guidance in the application of results-based management in all aspects of programme
execution.
nn Take lead in the resource mobilisation activities.
nn Oversee programme communication and outreach activities, to disseminate results and create
awareness and buy-in to programmatic activities.
nn Actively engage relevant stakeholders in the region to maintain programme relevance and create
synergies with similar initiatives.
nn Work closely with the host institution and programme management structures, to ensure delivery of the
initiative’s mandate.
Requirements/Qualifications
nn PhD in biosciences/bio-policy or related discipline with at least 5 years post-qualification experience.
nn Experience managing competitive call processes.
nn Proven experience in successful management of donor funds.
nn Experience in bioscience innovations, as well as expertise in business development and entrepreneurship
is desirable.
nn Proven track record managing regional or international R&D programmes involving multiple disciplines
and partners from the public, private and non-governmental sectors in Africa.
www.icipe.org
nn Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills able to productively interact with a wide range of organisations,
both local and international, and at various levels in governmental and non-governmental set ups.
nn Demonstrable experience in building and maintaining successful collaborative institutional partnerships.
nn Proven resource mobilisation track record for research and development.
nn Knowledge of innovation systems and application of results-based management.
nn Good understanding of science technology and innovation landscape in eastern Africa is an added
advantage.
nn Proficiency in English, with excellent written/oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Other desirable attributes
nn Result oriented/focused: Ability to consistently meet set goals. Focused and goal oriented. Ability to
direct others to perform set duties.
nn Professionalism: Application of ethics, principles, standards and expertise in all areas of work.
nn Integrity: Honest, above reproach, and appropriate in actions/behavior, and transparent in conduct.
nn Teamwork, interpersonal relations: Ability to work in a team and with good networking and interpersonal
skills.
nn Very good team worker: Working and relating with others in mutual support and respect towards common
goals and shared vision.
nn Multi-cultural fit and diversity: Ability to work effectively within a highly diverse and multicultural
environment.
nn Innovation and creativity: Ability to generate new ideas and ways of working to continuously improve
existing work processes, practices, and concepts.
nn Willingness to travel.
Reporting
This position reports to the Director of Research and Partnerships.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications will be accepted up to 31 May 2016, or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier.
Interested applicants should submit: (a) a confidential cover letter, (b) detailed CV with names and addresses
of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers), and (c) a statement illustrating suitability against
the listed qualifications/competencies/abilities and skills.
Candidates are required to apply online through: http://recruit.icipe.org
icipe is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values
gender equity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.
www.icipe.org
