Dama Consultants Limited is retained by The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) to recruit qualified and competent staff for its Secretariat based in Kampala, Uganda. RUFORUM was established in 2004 with vision to create a vibrant agricultural sector linked to African universities, which can produce high-performing graduates and high-quality research which is responsive to the demands of Africa’s farmers for innovations; and able to generate sustainable livelihoods and national economic development.
RUFORUM’s mission is to strengthen the capacities of universities to foster innovations which are responsive to demands of small-holder farmers through the training of high quality researchers; the output of impact-oriented research; and the maintenance of collaborative working relations among researchers, farmers, national agricultural research institutions and governments.
RUFORUM has established partnerships and operates with a consortium of 32 universities in eighteen countries in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa to achieve its mission. The countries include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, South Sudan, South Africa and Namibia.
RUFORUM wishes to recruit competent persons to fill the posts which are performance based and renewable for three years. Such persons should be highly motivated, with strong drive and commitment to build African institutions. Applications are invited from qualified individuals of high integrity from the participating countries.
Detailed information on the posts is available through RUFORUM and Dama websites
1. Finance Manager
The Financial Manager will be responsible for providing financial advice and support to the Secretariat and partners to inform sound business decisions and will report to the Deputy Executive Secretary
Main duties & responsibilities
• Develop &put in place financial control systems and procedures in accordance with regulations and professional accounting standards
• Prepare annual accounts within the deadline in accordance with professional accounting standards, and prepare quarterly financial reports
• Undertake an advisory role to both the Board and RUFORUM Management on the financial performance of RUFORUM projects in accordance with the approved budgets and reporting guidelines
• Facilitate external audit of RUFORUM
• Supervise the maintenance of accounting records, vouchers and other documentation, and record all financial transactions of RUFORUM in line with financial procedures and accounting standards
• Prepare business plans in order to identify and focus on the strategies to achieve financial sustainability in line with the strategic plan.
• Prepare quarterly financial reports and advise management on the financial performance of RUFORUM in accordance with the approved budgets and reporting guidelines
• Ensure that all financial commitments and payments by RUFORUM are properly authorized, settled in a timely manner and for value received, in accordance with financial procedures
Qualifications and requirements
• University degree in Business Administration or Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in finance or accounting.
• Should possess postgraduate qualifications in any of the above mentioned fields should have an additional professional qualification such ACCA or CPA.
Experience and Training
• Should have considerable experience in the area of financial accounting and management.
• A minimum of ten years’ experience in accounting; and at least five of these at senior managerial level in an NGO, busy private or public organization
Knowledge, skills, abilities and other Characteristics
• Good knowledge of the principles and practices of running a large grant body or private enterprise
• Should possess an excellent understanding of accounting principles plus computer skills in accounting software, and hands on experience in Microsoft Dynamics Navision 2013 (Release 2) system is an added advantage.
• Should be a good team builder, an analytical person who is able to drive a directorate to successful accomplishment of the financial objectives of the organisation
2. Manager, Partnership &Business Management
The main role of the Manager, Partnership and Business Management is to initiate and maintain relationships with various stakeholder individuals, groups, and institutions through the development of strategic partnerships for the purpose of facilitating, supporting, and boosting
RUFORUM operations in line with its mission and strategic objectives.
He/she will report to the Deputy Executive Secretary
Main duties and responsibilities
• Lead the identification, development/formation of networks and partnerships in support of the RUFORUM vision and mission
• Evaluate periodically the performance of existing and new partnerships
• Act as a focal point and coordinate the management of partnerships across all units within the RUFORUM Secretariat
• Support the strengthening of networks including university-university and university-RUFORUM Secretariat as well as the wider RUFORUM network towards the realization of RUFORUM Secretariat goals
• Oversee the strategy and implementation of RUFORUM National Forums
• Support the development of fundraising proposals for the RUFORUM Secretariat
• Participate in regional and National Forums to further the goals and objectives on behalf of the RUFORUM Secretariat
• Support the maintenance of a database on technical and other proposals, both funded and unfunded, for the RUFORUM Secretariat
Qualifications & requirements
• An MBA with options in marketing, business or related fields
• Postgraduate diploma in project management
• Experience in fund raising/funds mobilization
• Excellent understanding of University systems
• Skills in formulating partnership management policies and developing appropriate procedures and systems. .
• Ability to coordinate partnership development enhancement activities.
• Communication and report writing skills
• Advocacy, proposal writing and negotiation skills
• Minimum of 7 years working in marketing roles preferably in private and public sector with at least 3 years spent in a senior management position.
• Excellent computer skills
3. Manager, Planning Monitoring & Evaluation
The main role of the Manager, Planning Monitoring & Evaluation (PME) will be to plan monitor and evaluate all aspects of the projects implemented by RUFORUM to meet its mission and strategic objectives. He/she will report to the Deputy Executive Secretary
Main duties and responsibilities
1. Design and manage a result-based Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system including impact assessment of RUFORUM activities
2. Guide and contribute to the development and up-dating of RUFORUM strategic and operational plans
3. Update RUFORUM Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation PME strategy and framework
4. Organize and conduct regular program/project reviews and evaluation at the RUFORUM Secretariat and universities
5. Guide the incorporation of lessons learnt from M&E processes for performance improvement at the RUFORUM Secretariat and universities
6. Develop manuals and guidelines, formats and procedures/protocols for various program activities
7. Maintain liaison with member universities in aspects of program/project planning, reviewing, assessing progress, and monitoring performance of capacity building activities/operations
8. In liaison with ICT and other departments, contribute to the development and use of the RUFORUM Management Information system (MIS) to enable computer based M&E data capture, storage, reporting and dissemination
9. Contribute to RUFORUM resource mobilization activities and preparation of proposals
10. Plan & coordinate individual and institutional capacity building on M&E
11. Represent RUFORUM in a national, regional and global fora strategic concern to the achievement of RUFORUM vision, goals and strategies
Qualifications and requirements:
Master's degree in economics, agricultural sciences or related field
7 years of working experience in related field.
Relevant qualification in project management
High level expertise in PME tools and techniques,
Excellent data management and analysis skills
Ability to design and execute various kinds of research/studies
PhD (or relevant qualification and experience) in relevant field of science, such as agricultural, biological or social sciences, and/or environmental/natural resource sciences would be an advantage.
Related requirements
• A broad background and experience in agricultural research for development, and experience in a senior research management role are required. This should include substantial and highly-regarded contributions to research and development, with a strong reputation of high standing in her/his profession.
• In-depth experience with research and development in African countries and experience working with national, regional and international research organisations in Africa, especially in the COMESA, ASARECA. and SADC regions
• Demonstrated contribution to design of national and regional programs, strategic planning and priority setting in previous roles.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of national and regional M&E programs
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender mainstreaming and monitoring
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal are required, with demonstrated ability to prepare written materials suitable to a variety of audiences.
• Knowledge of other language (s), particularly French and Portuguese is helpful.
• Excellent computer skills
• Willingness and ability for frequent and sustained travel.
4. Manager, Training and Quality Assurance
The main role of the Manager Training &Quality Assurance is to support design and management of RUFORUM training and education strategy and in so doing develop and establish quality standards related to products and services offered by RUFORUM. He/she will report to the Deputy Executive Secretary
Main responsibilities include:
• Establish standards for service delivered by RUFORUM to its stakeholders.
• Ensure execution of corrective actions for improvement of services.
• Supervising technical staff
• Identifying training needs of universities in line with RUFORUM mission and strategic objectives
• Design and manage RUFORUM training and education strategy
• Design, implement and follow-up of training plans with member universities and partner institutions
• Identify opportunities and threats to the existing training initiatives including Curriculum reform and development
• Design and manage a quality assurance system for RUFORUM
• Track and maintain a database of training beneficiaries
Qualifications and requirements
• PhD required in relevant field of science, such as agriculture, biological or social sciences and/or environmental/natural resource sciences.
• 7 years teaching at university level, with excellent peer-reviewed publication record
Specific requirements for include:
• Familiarity with regulations and procedures of universities in the region
• In-depth experience with University curriculum development and design of postgraduate programs
• Knowledge of quality standards
• A proven track record of supervising MS and PhD research projects
• Good grasp of training needs and changing market demand for university Graduates in the region
• A proven record of facilitating professional development of university staff and other actors
• Proven track record of designing and managing quality control systems and procedures for training and research at university level
• Substantial and highly-regarded contributions to research and development, including peer-reviewed publications
• Willingness and ability for frequent and sustained travel
• Knowledge of other language (s), particularly French and Portuguese, is an advantage
Specific requirements for all positions include:
• Aptitude for analysis
• Leadership and team skills
• Project management skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Willingness and ability for frequent and sustained travel
• Knowledge of other language (s), particularly French and Portuguese, is an advantage
Applications with detailed curriculum vitae, copies of certificates, transcripts, names of three professional referees and the applicant’s telephone contact should be sent electronically on-line in pdf form to:
Dama Consultants Limited
10th Floor Uganda House P.O. Box 3967
Kampala
Uganda
Tel: +256-414-235 944; +256-70-4843380 Email: damaconsultantsltd@gmail.com Website: http://www.damaconsultant.com
The closing date for receiving applications is 2nd June 2014. Dama Consultants Limited accepts no liability for incomplete submission, late and/or misdirected transmission of applications.
Note:
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews; and unsuccessful applicants will be informed after the recruitment process is completed
• Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification
