Program Director – Dalrrd Projects (Five (5) Year Fixed-Term Contract) (Central Office Hatfield) at Agricultural Research Council

Description
Programme/sla & centres of excellence (coes) coordination.

• Oversee and coordinate the development, establishment and coordination of innovation hub for research, the Centres of Excellence and DoA SLA.
• Overseeing all aspects of programme coordination, including project planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Establishing research chairs/focus areas for the advancement of agricultural knowledge and policy development.
• Developing long-term research goals and objectives for the innovation hub and centres of excellence aligned with the agricultural organization's mission and strategic priorities.
• Provide strategic oversight and leadership within the organisation with regards to research themes and scientific programmes of priority under the SLA.

Financial management and Resource Mobilisation.

• Identifying funding opportunities, facilitating the preparing of grant proposals/proposals, and securing external funding to support research initiatives.
• Budget Oversight: Managing research program budgets, allocating resources effectively, and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Coordinating resource mobilisation for the Centres of excellence and Research Hub.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Establish framework for monitoring and evaluation of progress and develop the processes for monitoring and evaluation.
• Monitor and evaluate progress, including monitoring of meeting deadlines and achievement of milestones.
• Establish a framework for ensuring research activities comply with regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and institutional policies.
• Keep executive and senior management informed with detailed and accurate reports or presentations.
• Implementation of the technical and steering committees, and the reporting requirements as outlined in the preamble to the SLA.

Stakeholder Management and Relationship Building

• Develop, lead and coordinate collaboration and partnerships with various research Institutions and universities nationally and internationally, industry stakeholders, farmers, government departments and agencies to enhance research outcomes and leverage resources.
• Stakeholder Management of Directors and Chief Directors and responding to their day-to-day requests within the context of the SLA and for new initiatives.

Team Leadership

• Provide leadership oversight to senior and executive managers, fostering collaboration, and providing guidance on research priorities and collaboration and funding opportunities.
• Supervise all SLA program and project managers involved to provide feedback and resolve complex problems.
• Apply change, risk and resource management principles when needed.

Advocacy and Outreach

• Policy Influence, including the engagement with policymakers to inform evidence-based agricultural policies and regulations that support innovation, sustainable practices, and resilience in agriculture.
• Public Engagement and Outreach includes the facilitation of effective communication of research findings to stakeholders, and the general public to enhance awareness, understanding, and support for agricultural research and its societal benefits.
• Promote awareness of research outcomes and societal impact
• Representing the organization in agricultural research forums, advocating for research funding and policy support, and enhancing public awareness of research achievements.

Requirements

• PhD or Doctorate Degree in Agriculture related field.
• At least 10 years’ experience on senior management level.
• SACNASP or other relevant professional registration will be added advantage.