VACANCY: PROJECT MANAGER – OPEN FORUM ON AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA (OFAB)

1. ABOUT AFRICA AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION (AATF)

AATF is an international not-for-profit organization that facilitates, and promotes public/private partnerships to access, develop, adapt and deliver appropriate agricultural technologies for sustainable use by smallholder farmers in Sub Saharan Africa.

AATF works with African governments, private and public technology owners and developers, NGOs, seed companies and African farmers to identify and access technologies that will address farmers’ key problems and enhance their productivity. AATF is a registered charity under the laws of England and Wales and has host country status with the Government of Kenya.

The Foundation depends on the ongoing support and collaboration of different partners and investors to meet its objectives. Please visit the AATF website at https://www.aatf-africa.org/ for further details.

2. ABOUT THE ROLE OF PROJECT MANAGER – (OFAB)

The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) is an advocacy initiative aimed at facilitating the flow of information from the scientific community to policy makers and the public. Launched in 2006, OFAB provides a community platform that works to enhance knowledge-sharing and awareness on biotechnology to raise understanding and appreciation of agricultural biotechnology and contribute to building an enabling environment for sound decision-making.

The OFAB Project works with partners and collaborators in the ten countries to design and deliver its campaigns on the continent. As head of the Project Secretariat, the OFAB Project Manager provides strategic leadership of OFAB’s advocacy and campaigns, ensuring attainment of desired impact.The incumbent will be expected to develop innovative advocacy, campaign strategies and oversee their effective and efficient implementation at country level.

H/She will represent AATF at high-level decision-maker discussions, media and other collaborators. The Manager directly supervises three staff and will also have responsibility for the performance of partner countries and Project contractors.

3. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

I. Strategic Leadership and Policy Advocacy

• Provides visionary leadership to position OFAB as a continental player in agricultural biotechnology, biosafety, and science-led agricultural transformation.
• Designs and delivers advocacy strategies and policy dialogues aimed at shaping, informing, and accelerating evidence-based policy change and implementation across partner countries
• As a member of AATF Management Team, serves as a key advisor to AATF leadership on emerging policy and advocacy trends, across Africa and globally, to anticipate opportunities and risks for advocacy intervention, ensuring proactive institutional positioning and response strategies.
• Supports and guides Country Chapters and partners to tailor advocacy initiatives including campaigns, country work plans, research and policy analysis to national and continental contexts while maintaining consistency in brand and message.
• Represents OFAB in regional and global platforms, including engagements with governments, RECs, AU organs, and international development partners.
• Drives strategic partnerships with governments, regional bodies, and research institutions to advance evidence-based policymaking.
• Leads and manages the OFAB Project Secretariat, including teams in ten countries and a multi-million budget
• Assesses the overall effectiveness of advocacy and campaigns and makes changes in approach and technique needed.

II. Advocacy Campaigns, and Public Awareness

• Leads the design, execution and monitoring of integrated advocacy and communication campaigns (grassroots and high-level) that enhance understanding of agricultural biotechnology and support decision making, ensuring alignment with the project’s primary outcomes and AATF’s overall strategy.
• Provides support to the AATF leadership to maximise the impact of high-level external engagements on advocacy with international public officials, politicians, organisations and the private sector.
• Leads the translation of complex scientific information into accessible, high-impact communication materials (policy briefs, media content, opinion pieces) that inform decision-making, ensuring advocacy messages are grounded in credible data and contextual realities.
• Champions narrative cohesion sustaining relationships with media, academia, and civil society to position OFAB and enhance the credibility and visibility of its work.
• Promotes science-based narratives to counter misinformation and strengthen public trust in biotechnology innovation.

III. Stakeholder Engagement, Partnerships, and Resource Mobilization

• Builds and sustains strategic multi-stakeholder coalitions engaging government institutions, regional bodies, farmer organisations, private sector actors, civil society, and academia to strengthen coordinated advocacy efforts and deepen policy engagement at national and regional levels.
• Champions cross-country learning, collaboration, and joint action, facilitating knowledge exchange and coordinated regional initiatives that reinforce Africa’s collective voice and leadership in agricultural innovation and biotechnology.
• Works in close partnership with AATF’s Programmes Directorates to drive institutional coherence, enhance operational synergies, and deliver integrated advocacy initiatives aligned to organisational strategy and donor priorities.
• Leads and supports resource mobilisation through hands-on development of high-quality concepts, proposals, and budgets, drawing on practical experience in securing donor funding; engages funding partners through targeted donor outreach, co-creation of proposals, and delivery of visibility and reporting outputs that strengthen donor confidence and long-term partnerships.

IV. Capacity Development and Institutional Strengthening

• Designs and implements structured capacity-strengthening initiatives for OFAB Chapters, policymakers, communicators, and journalists to enhance science–policy literacy, evidence-based advocacy, and strategic communication.
• Strengthens institutional systems for performance monitoring, learning, and results measurement to support effective policy engagement and advocacy across multiple countries.
• Ensures sound financial and human resource management of OFAB’s multi-country operations, with full alignment to AATF’s institutional policies, donor compliance requirements, and governance standards.

V. Knowledge Management and Learning

• Designs and implements a robust learning and results framework to track advocacy outcomes and lessons learned, to continuously refine strategies.
• Leads strategic documentation and storytelling of OFAB’s policy achievements to build institutional credibility and donor confidence.
• Oversees documentation, information management and sharing that include effective management of OFAB’s digital presence, websites, and social media
• Develops and manages issues-monitoring systems to anticipate emerging debates, risks, and opportunities in biotechnology policy.

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Communications, International Relations, Political Science, International Development, Sciences or related field.
• At least 10 years of successful and progressive experience in advocacy, campaigning and communications, with at least 5 years’ active advocacy experience.
• Proven leadership in policy advocacy and strategic communication across diverse political and cultural contexts.
• Experience in fundraising for advocacy or communication initiatives.
• Strong ability to translate scientific and policy research into persuasive messages and public engagement outputs.
• Excellent policy research and analysis.
• Demonstrated expertise in policy development and implementation processes within Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Excellent diplomatic, networking, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Track record in managing complex, multi-country programmes and donor-funded budgets.
• Strong strategic thinking, planning, and organisational skills with the ability to deliver results under pressure.
• Effective team leadership and people management, including virtual or cross-country teams.
• High proficiency in communication, writing, and media relations at senior levels.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgement, and adaptability in dynamic or politically sensitive settings
• Competence in knowledge management, monitoring, and learning to strengthen advocacy impact.
• Fluency in English and willingness to travel across Africa (up to 12 weeks per year).

Desirable

• Solid understanding of agricultural biotechnology and Africa’s agricultural policy environment.
• Working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese. Demonstrated advocacy and communication skills, including excellent public relations and communication abilities – written, editorial and spoken
• Knowledge of main players in agricultural biotechnology; A good understanding of the SSA agricultural policy environment.
• Ability to use information technology effectively as a tool and resource.
• Ability to plan and prioritise work activities to meet organisational goals and supervise virtual teams.
• Outstanding management and coordination skills in a complex network setting, with experience in effectively assessing and managing risk.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work effectively under pressure and independently and within a team.
• Strong team dynamics with sound organisational and people management skills
• Strong financial and budget management experience.
• Good knowledge of the politics of agriculture and especially biotechnology in Africa.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of knowledge management.

5. WHY JOIN AATF AS A PROJECT MANAGER – OPEN FORUM ON AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA?

The new AATF strategy (2023 – 2027) empowers staff to reach and impact 8 million farmers in Africa directly through tailored technologies. AATF’s reputation spans 32 countries, where it has already achieved significant results.

The organisation offers an appealing salary and benefits package, fostering individual growth and success.

AATF’s culture is collaborative, results-oriented, and purpose-driven, facilitating collective achievement. Employees work together to reach as many smallholder farmers as possible, supported by a collegial environment. AATF provides a conducive setting where individuals thrive and contribute to its mission of agricultural advancement in Africa.

6. LOCATION AND CONTRACT TERMS

The position’s holder will be stationed in Nairobi, Kenya.

The contract length for this position is three years, renewable pending annual performance assessment and availability of funds.

AATF provides a competitive salary package and promotes a multicultural workplace that supports gender parity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

7. HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send your cover letter, detailed CV, and the names and contact information of three references to: aatfofabpm@adelkoconsult.com, on or before 18th February 2026.

AATF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious and ethnic backgrounds and any other diversity groups to apply and become a part of our organization.