Project Manager- Research & Innovation Brokerage Department 319 views

Research and Innovation Brokerage department

COLEAD is a non-profit interprofessional association founded in 1973 whose main purpose is to facilitate and implement all actions that directly and/or indirectly increase the contribution of the agri-food sector to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

COLEAD manages development projects in the agricultural and food sector in low and low-middle income countries, financed by donors (mainly the European Union). More information is available on our website.

As part of the implementation of its new programme entitled “Sustainable Production for Resilient and Inclusive New Generations (SPRING)”, COLEAD is looking for a Project Manager for its Research and Innovation Brokerage Department.

The overall objective of this new intervention is to enhance The Gambia’s horticultural sector’s contribution to economic growth, food security, food safety, and nutrition by accelerating a people-centred (particularly for women and youth), resilient, market-driven, and nutrition-sensitive agro-ecological transition. The specific objectives are to i) increase investments, productivity, income and working opportunities especially for women, young people, and marginalized groups within targeted horticultural value chains; ii) to improve plant health, food safety, quality management, and sustainable agroecological practices among horticultural producers and processors, especially women and youth; and iii) to strengthen diversified, nutrition-sensitive, and agro-ecologically produced horticultural value chains.

As part of the programme launch, COLEAD will establish a new national office in Banjul and recruit a dedicated team to support its implementation.

COLEAD is recruiting a Project Manager with an academic and professional background in Agronomy, particularly in plant production, to strengthen its Research and Innovation Brokerage Department, especially in the areas of horticultural research and technical advisory services. The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience, strong technical expertise, and the ability to align with the context, positioning, and values of COLEAD.

The role requires the capacity to coordinate and supervise multiple types of agronomic and horticultural trials under diverse agroecological conditions, involving a broad range of technical themes including crop protection, varietal evaluation, soil fertility, irrigation, sustainable production practices, waste management, post-harvest storage and processing and digital technologies.

Within the COLEAD team you will actively contribute to the development and implementation of projects supporting partners from the private horticultural sector (fruit and vegetable production, processing and/or export-oriented companies, producer groups and organisations, consultants/service providers, professional organisations, etc.) and the public sector (National Plant Protection Organisations, Universities and training centres, laboratories, etc.) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

These different projects aim to achieve the specific objective of the programmes implemented by COLEAD i.e. to enable smallholders, farmer groups and organisations, as well as MSMEs, to access national, regional, and international markets in compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and market requirements, in a sustainable framework.

The Project Manager will be based in Banjul (The Gambia) and will work closely with COLEAD’s programme management units in Brussels (Belgium), Lomé (Togo) and Nairobi (Kenya) under the supervision of the Research and Innovation Brokerage Manager.

As a Project Manager, your main tasks and responsibilities will be to provide coordination, technical, administrative and logistical support for the implementation of COLEAD’s Research and Innovation activities. Tasks will include:

Provide support to the COLEAD Team in the implementation of research and innovation activities

Support the Research and Innovation Team to identify and assess priority challenges and opportunities in crop production, through:

• Engagement with EU and ACP public authorities and regulatory bodies;
• Collaboration with EU and ACP research institutions and scientific networks;
• Liaison with innovation stakeholders and agricultural input suppliers/manufacturers, (particularly plant protection product companies);

Monitoring and analysis of emerging issues and sector trends

• Support the COLEAD Research and Innovation Team in implementing its programme of activities aimed at improving crop production, including trials related to seeds/varieties, soil, water, and crop protection (plant protection products screening, efficacy, residue, and IPM trials).
• Support the testing of innovative solutions to improve SPS compliance and productivity in the ACP horticultural industry (for example, in surveillance to monitor the distribution of pests and diseases in priority crops; improved traceability for complex supply chains involving smallholder outgrowers; digital solution to improve productivity, monitoring and compliance).
• Support the organisation and implementation of calls for tender for the selection of external service providers.
• Supervise external service providers, who provide technical support to the COLEAD Research and Innovation Team.

Development of technical material

• Contribute to the development of new technical publications to disseminate knowledge and outcomes of research and innovation activities (e.g. technical brochures/guides, peer-reviewed scientific papers).
• Contribute to the compiling of technical information that is required for the digitalization of COLEAD activities and material (e.g. development of digital training tools and e-learning, digitalization of technical supports such as crop technical itineraries, development of AI-based communication tools or Apps).

Inform and communicate

• Provide relevant technical information and advice to the COLEAD Geographical team and programme partners beneficiaries, in collaboration with the Information – Communication Department.
• Participate in relevant technical events (e.g. conferences, technical working groups), including oral and poster presentations.

Participate in monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Support the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of COLEAD research and innovation activities.

Required set of skills and competencies:

• Graduate in horticulture/agriculture/agronomy or related discipline (Master or equivalent);
• Minimum 5 years’ professional experience in the agricultural/horticultural sector, including field experience in one or more African, Caribbean or Pacific countries;
• Experience in crop production research. Prior experience in the plant protection product (PPP) and/or fertiliser industry, or within a commercial farming environment, would be considered an asset.
• Experience in the implementation of crop production field trials, including trials related to seeds/varieties, soil, water, and crop protection (plant protection products screening, efficacy, residue, and IPM trials);
• Strong understanding of experimental design, trial implementation, data collection, and interpretation of agronomic results;
• Ability to manage multiple technical activities simultaneously and coordinate multidisciplinary stakeholders and service providers;
• Knowledge of International and European sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and standards would be an advantage;
• Knowledge in smart agriculture and digital innovation would be an advantage;
• Fluency in English (at least level CEFR C1, oral and written) is essential. Knowledge of French, Spanish, Portuguese, Wolof, or Maninka is considered an asset.

The main personal qualities sought are:

• Leadership
• Autonomy
• Sense of responsibility
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Scientific rigour
• Analytical and synthesis skills
• Ability to solve problems
• Excellent writing skills
• Computer literate

Contractual Information

This is a full-time role based in Banjul, offered under an independent consultancy agreement for an initial period of one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal.

You will be based in The Gambia, but travel within The Gambia or to other ACP countries and Belgium, for short-term missions (7 days on average per year), might be required.

The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

Joining COLEAD means becoming part of a passionate multicultural team. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy an enriching experience within a civil society organisation working for cooperation and development in the agri-food industry. COLEAD’s values are commitment, difference, humanity, performance and continuous improvement.

To apply, please send your CV + cover letter + references by Wednesday 1st of July at noon (12pm) CET

COLEAD – Project Manager – Research & Innovation Brokerage in Banjul