Job description
The Food Initiative’s vision is to build a food system that nourishes all people, protects and regenerates the environment and enables the flourishing of culture and community. The Director will work with existing and new team members to support the initiative’s ambitious goal to create an “Impact Lab for Africa” focused on increasing the consumption of “protective foods” by developing and transforming supply chains and thereby improving millions of rural lives.
The Director will provide management and leadership support for the team as it moves into an exciting period of execution and expansion. This role is based in Nairobi, Kenya. This role manages key internal and external relationships for the Managing Director (MD) and represents the Food initiative at key events and meetings. The Director will lead a team and influence others to realize ambitious goals by implementing strategies that can adapt to changing circumstances.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Provide leadership and direction for the Foundation’s new “Impact Lab for Africa” that aims to increase consumption of “protective foods” that will reduce the burden of disease in those populations.
Provide an integrated perspective, with the full Rockefeller Foundation initiative team, so that key hypotheses are fully tested (e.g., SME financing, AG/energy technologies, market demand, etc.), and the strategy is dynamically reviewed.
Support the success of the Food System 2050 Vision Prize in Africa.
Manage financial, team, and institutional resources effectively and efficiently to ensure our investments yield catalytic change and mobilize others.
Support the broader influence objectives of the Managing Director of the Africa Regional Office and the Foundation’s leadership to change the overall systems that contribute to a nourishing and sustainable food system.
Guide The Rockefeller Foundation-led activities focused on driving innovation, generating new knowledge, and engaging global influencers in order to enable the initiative to be supported and advanced at multiple scales.
Support the development of key financial partnerships, engaging donors and other investors interested in contributing to reducing food losses and securing co-investor commitments.
Ensures systematic learning and reflection processes are in place that lead to continuous improvement.
Serves as a thought partner to the MD on important strategic and projects, issues and questions, managing the flow of communications, from the Foundation and external parties as directed by the MD.
Supports the MD in the management of the budget and forecasts.
On behalf of the MD prepares briefs for meetings and coordinates follow-up with relevant external and internal staff in the region as needed.
In partnership, and in support of the MD, manages the Food Initiative activity of the regional office and sets meeting agendas for key meeting within the team.
Supervises and oversees the work of team members as directed by the MD.
Represents the initiative team at external events and meetings in the region and is seen as an important ambassador and liaison for the entire team and the Foundation.
Manages special projects as designated by the MD. Ensures that there is always proper staffing on the team.
Education, Experience and Skills
Master’s degree with a minimum of 15 years professional experience, with significant experience in African Agriculture as well as globally, ideally in a relevant field /institution, with experience of employing market-based solutions to address complex social and development challenges Leadership and senior management experience in leading the delivery of complex operations and program strategy with a multi-disciplinary team, working with multiple external stakeholders, across locations and time zones.
Ability to set clear goals and strategies and dynamically manage strategies, plans, and resources to realize those goals in changing circumstances.
Strong understanding of market based solutions and agricultural value chains, ideally with experience engaging with investors/donor communities in Africa.
Deep understanding of political, economic and social trends in Africa, with an ability to work across different food value chains in the continent.
Powerful conceptual and analytical skills, with a track record in using data and analytics to inform dynamic strategy shaping, priority setting, and decision-making.
Experience in communicating externally, either in large groups, or in smaller engagements for representational and influencing purposes.
Ability to travel frequently, particularly within Africa, and at times in challenging rural conditions.
Understands innovation processes, and the management of scientific research and development initiatives.
Ability to travel regularly both domestically and internationally and has done so in previous roles successfully.
Computer proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Internet search skills and ability to learn new applications quickly.
