ABOUT AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION

AATF is an international not-for-profit organisation that facilitates and promotes public/private partnerships to promote food security and enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in SSA. AATF works with African governments, private and public technology owners and developers, NGOs, seed companies and African smallholder farmers to identify and access technologies that address farmers’ critical problems and empower them through the availability of a choice of agricultural innovations that generate wealth and health for their families and communities. 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. AATF’s Special Initiatives include ECOBasic Seed in Nigeria, QBS, Agridive Limited and AHyRA.

The Alliance for Hybrid Rice in Africa (AHyRA) is a Public Private Alliance/ Partnership that promotes wide development and dissemination of quality, high-yielding, and well-adapted rice hybrids in Africa, develops delivery and commercialization pathways to impact the lives of rice farmers and other stakeholders through the extensive use of the technology in SSA.

In addition, AHyRA catalyzes sustainable agro-business through licensing and commercializing the products of hybrid rice technology to improve the livelihood of rice farmers towards rice self-sufficient Africa. Agridrive Limited is an agritech company working with farmers to unlock agribusiness opportunities in Africa. With offices in Nigeria and Kenya, we provide end-to-end innovative market-edge agribusiness solutions to farmers throughout the continent.

ECOBasic Seed company is driven by the vision to produce foundation seeds of the highest quality and purity for hybrid seed production for seed companies, thereby enhancing profitability, productivity, and food security in West Africa. QualiBasic Seed Company (QBS) produces and supplies quality Foundation Seed to seed companies in East and Southern Africa. Please visit the AATF website at https://www.aatf-africa.org/ for further details

ROLE OVERVIEW: BUSINESS SERVICES SUPPORT MANAGER

The Corporate Services Team is a centralized team that aims to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and quality control across the management of AATF grants and business operations. The primary goal of this team is to align capacity and capabilities while driving efficiencies by establishing consistent, high-quality standards and best practices for improved budgeting, grants and contracts management, business development, and data collection and analytics. The Corporate Services Team strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels that, as individuals and as a group, creates a working environment characterized by critical reflection, responsibility and accountability sharing, conversation, and objectivity in order to achieve our collective objectives and provide the best possible service to our clients.

The Business Services Support Manager is in charge of keeping track of the operations and performance of the Social Enterprises (AHYRA, AGRIDRIVE, ECOBASIC & QUALIIBASIC). Successful candidates must have a thorough understanding of business models, market dynamics, and the KPIs of the Social Enterprise personnel. They will be responsible for development and monitoring of the key performance indicators, and advising the shareholders (AATF) on progress, monthly, quarterly, and annually. They will advise the shareholder on the commercial viability of the social enterprises and maintain a risk profile of each of them.

This position reports to the Director, Corporate Services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Strategic leadership and work planning:

Develop a coherent Business strategy in close collaboration with the Social Enterprises management, board, AATF management and other stakeholders.
Formulate and deploy long-term strategic plans for acquiring and enabling innovative, efficient, and cost-effective information processing, communications and reporting.
Manage operational and strategic long-term and short term planning, including business requirements, project planning and organizing the allocation of resources.

B. Coordination of Operations and Reporting:

Review performance of business systems to determine operating costs, productivity levels and potential areas of intervention.
Benchmark, analyze, report on and make recommendations for optimising the business processes and productivity.
Participate in the development of business case justifications and cost/benefit analyses for ICT initiatives.
Develop and follow up on the implementation of policies and procedures.
Oversee workforce planning from strategic planning to day-to-day operations.
Ensuring the Social Enterprises operations and business processes are aligned with the shareholder’s (AATF) priorities.
Ensuring the accountabilities of all the personnel within the social enterprise are aligned with the desires of the shareholder (AATF)
Working with internal stakeholders and enterprise collaborators to produce strategic options analysis, and business challenges.
Developing Strategies for promoting growth, and discuss the same with the leadership and management of the Social Enterprises.
Providing the shareholder (AATF) with Monthly performance reports (Financial and Technical) for consolidation and upload in the system.
Providing the shareholder (AATF) with the management reports – Budget vs actual for analysis and review.
Approval of the monthly/Quarterly/Annual cash disbursement request
Preparation of the progress on the KPIs for the Social Enterprises.
Preparation of the performance DASHBOARD for the Social Enterprises for presentation to the Executive Management Team.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.

Undergraduate degree from a recognized University in Social Sciences, Business, Economics, or related fields. A postgraduate degree, including an MBA, would be an added advantage.
Proven working experience in managing operations of commercial entities.
At least 7 years of work experience in commercial enterprises is an added advantage.
At least 10 years of relevant management experience managing large teams in a comparable organization.
Extensive experience working within a multicultural environment is desirable.
Proven experience in developing policies at a strategic corporate level.

OTHER SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to understand and use data to drive decision-making and strategy
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously amid ambiguity and without
A proven track record of effective team coordination, first-rate interpersonal abilities, and demonstrated success in building, inspiring, and managing diverse teams of skilled professionals.
The capacity to handle confidential and private information in a discreet manner.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple deadlines effectively
A high level of self-discipline, capacity to multitask, and function well under pressure.
Cross-cultural competency

WHY JOIN AATF AS BUSINESS SERVICES SUPPORT MANAGER?

The new AATF strategy (2023 – 2027) empowers staff to impact over 30M smallholder farmers in Africa through tailored technologies. AATF’s reputation spans 24 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.

LOCATION AND CONTRACT TERMS

The position’s holder will be stationed in Nairobi, Kenya. The Business Services Support Manager is recruited on a two (2) years renewable contract, based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding. AATF provides a competitive salary package and promotes a multicultural workplace that supports gender parity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send your cover letter, detailed CV, and the names and contact information of three references to: Aatf_businesssupportmanager@adelkoconsult.com on or before 10th May 2024.

*Only Kenyan nationals are eligible to apply.

AATF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All aspects of the recruitment and selection process will be based on merit, competence, and performance