Talent roster - Program Director - Sahel Region

Proposal Positions

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ID: 20121592

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Full-Time/Regular

About IFDC

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization that advances soil health and strengthens agricultural systems through science-based innovation. For over 50 years, IFDC has translated research into practical solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency, restore degraded soils, strengthen local agricultural markets and expand opportunity for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth.

We work with farmers, governments and private sector partners to build resilient farming systems that produce nutritious food, improve livelihoods, and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

Our Values

We are guided by four core principles:

Collaborate – We work across teams, countries and partners to create lasting impact.

Innovate – We apply evidence and continuous learning to design practical and responsible solutions.

Include – We promote equity and meaningful participation for women, youth and underrepresented groups.

Act with Integrity – We steward resources responsibly, uphold transparency and remain accountable to the communities, partners, staff and donors who place their trust in us.

Responsibilities

This role is the overall leader, accountable for vision, delivery, and impact across the region:

Define and oversee the program’s vision, mission, and long-term strategy for strengthening seed systems in the Sahel;

Ensure alignment with regional agricultural policies (AES, AU, national ministries) and donor priorities;

Lead the development of annual work plans, budgets, and performance targets;

Supervise all technical, operational, and administrative functions of the program;

Ensure timely delivery of outputs and achievement of program milestones;

Oversee the work of Deputy Directors, technical teams, and country coordinators;

Serve as the primary representative of the program to governments, donors, and international organizations;

Build and maintain strong partnerships with donors, government ministries, research institutes, NGOs, and private sector actors;

Advocate for policies that create an enabling environment for seed sector growth;

Ensure financial accountability and compliance with donor requirements;

Oversee the establishment of robust M&E systems to track adoption of improved seeds and program impact;

Promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making and adaptive learning;

Ensure transparent reporting to stakeholders and donors;

Identify and mitigate risks related to climate change, political instability, and market fluctuations;

Ensure program resilience and continuity in challenging contexts;

Participate or lead regular project management meetings with representatives of consortium members and with the donor embassy representatives;

Represent the program in regional forums and donor coordination meetings;

Oversee donor reporting, financial accountability, and compliance with program standards;

Perform other roles necessary or those to be assigned to you by IFDC leadership.

Requirements

This role demands a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and regional development experience:

Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in agriculture, agronomy, plant sciences, seed technology, or agricultural economics;

Additional training in management, policy, or international development is an asset;

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in agricultural development, seed systems, or food security programs, with a sizable portion of this experience in West Africa (especially Mali, Burkina Faso or Niger);

Proven track record in managing large-scale, multi-country programs in Africa, ideally in the Sahel region;

Deep knowledge of seed production, certification, and distribution systems and familiarity with regional agricultural policies and international frameworks (FAO, UA, UN, national seed laws.);

Understanding of climate resilience, food security, and sustainable agriculture;

Demonstrated experience working with donors (including DGIS), governments, international organizations, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders, with the ability to build and coordinate effective partnerships;

Strong skills in strategic planning, program oversight, and resource mobilization, financial management, donor compliance, and reporting;

Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across multiple countries;

Fluent in both French and English, enabling effective communication and collaboration in multicultural settings;

Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey project objectives and achievements.

Reporting and Work Relationships

The Program Director is supervised by and reports to the VP Programs. He/She will also collaborate with the Country IFDC leadership, and other program leads in-country.

Location

This role is for International recruited staff and is based in one IFDC office in Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger.

Benefits

IFDC's benefits include annual and sick leave, health and group life insurance coverage, a 13th-month salary, social security and pension contribution in compliance with local laws and end-of-contract benefits.

Salary Clause

The salary grade for this position is BG 12.

The determination of new employee salaries considers numerous factors. These include the salary range linked to the assigned job grade, the candidate's qualifications in relation to the job's responsibilities and prerequisites, internal fairness, the competitive state of the job market, as well as potential organizational and budgetary considerations.

Diversity Clause

IFDC is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the value of bringing together people with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions at IFDC are made on the basis of ability, performance, and organizational need, in alignment with our values of fairness, respect, and opportunity for all.

The recruitment for the position of Program Director is being conducted in support of an ongoing proposal effort in the Sahel region.

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