Background:

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture ("IITA") invites applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer of the IITA Business Incubation Platform.

IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa.

Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

The IITA has established a Business Incubation Platform ("IITA BIP") located within the IITA campus headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria. IITA BIP aims to develop profitable agribusiness activities that may be replicated by, and absorbed within the private sector after a period for exploring and fine-tuning different production approaches. IITA BIP provides incentives and opportunities for the accelerated commercial development of proven and profitable technologies, in particular those developed within IITA or jointly with collaborators, along the entire agricultural value chain. IITA BIP currently has four initial start-up businesses at various stages of development, with businesses relating to seed breeding, aflatoxin bio-control, legume inoculant and agri-services consulting. IITA is looking for a suitably experienced person to fill the position of full-time Chief Executive Officer of the IITA BIP to manage and coordinate the activities of IITA BIP.. The CEO will be entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing and growing the IITA BIP activities.

Position/Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities for the CEO will include:

• Providing leadership in the development, execution and achievement of IITA BIP's strategic objectives.
• Developing and implementing an operational plan for the IITA BIP, to ensure the IITA BIP business are able to operate within their pre-approved business plans and develop/monitor key financial controls.
• Developing and implementing a marketing and sales strategy to help each of the IITA BIP business improve their cash flow positions.
• Assist with donor fundraising activities; and
• Report to the IITA Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Capacity Development using agreed on plans, budgets, and other key performance indicators to ensure the prudent financial management of the IITA BIP and its start-ups, including the monthly and quarterly progress reporting.

Educational qualifications:

• The candidate should have a Minimum university degree; ideally specialising in business, agribusiness or related agricultural fields, an MBA will be an added advantage.

Core Competencies:

• Experience working with start-up businesses is essential and experience with business incubators will be an added advantage
• At least 5 years’ of relevant experience with agribusiness development and management, experience in emerging markets, especially Sub-Saharan Africa an added advantage.
• Established track record of fostering start-ups, entrepreneurship and project management experience.
• Ability in creating new business and client relationships, dynamic in negotiations and ability to interact with an inter-disciplinary, multi-cultural and multi-national environment.
• Be of impeccable integrity and honesty, exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven leadership and team working skills with the ability to develop and motivate a high performance culture.
• Excellent communication in English is required and French is an advantage.
• A positive attitude and passionate approach for this position are critical.

Duty station: IITA’s Ibadan campus, Nigeria, and potentially travel within Nigeria and Africa to interact with key stakeholders partners and the IITA BIP’s clients.

General information:

The position will be offered on a full-time basis. The remuneration offered will be appropriate to the qualifications, standing and experience of the successful candidate. The CEO will report to the Deputy Director General for Partnerships and Capacity Development of IITA.

Applications:

Applications including curriculum vitae and covering letter should be addressed to the IITA BIP Advisory Council and submitted via a member of the IITA BIP Advisory Council or IITA BIP management team member. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers

Closing Date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.