Program Manager, Seeds Systems and Partnerships

Role Purpose

In pursuit of Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture’s (SFSA) vision for a better future for smallholder farming:

• Develop and communicate robust financial management reporting in support of the Seeds stream’s decision-making
• Institutionalize project management industry standards, methodology, tools and improved ways of working across the global Seeds stream, in line with agreed priorities

Accountabilities

1. Prepare and lead financial management reporting for the global Seeds stream budget and externally funded projects, providing recommendations for issues and options
2. Develop analyses/reports/insights which drive the ‘business’ decisions for multiple projects and the stream
3. Oversee the implementation of those decisions / new processes and train where needed
4. Identify potential risks with fact-based financial advice and provide recommendations for risk mitigation
5. Develop cost applications for new proposals to increase external funding to SFSA and initiatives it supports
6. Provide counsel and support to senior management to improve processes proactively, e.g. on data flow, financial processes, project management and ways of working to increase efficiency across SFSA.

Complexity

• An externally funded project typically involves regular budget realignments across 4-5 SFSA entities, and the management of several sub grantees and consultants
• Personal engagement with key decision makers of funders like USAID (e.g. negotiate project budgets / realignments and meet donor specific reporting requirements)
• Personal engagement with external partners in Africa, Asia, and the US to strengthen relationships and ensure successful implementation and management of costs
• Direct influence on project idea creation and direction
• Key internal interactions with Head of Finance, Legal Counsel, Head Communications, Head Partnerships, Stream Leads, and Country Directors

Qualifications Experience Required

• Over 5 years’ experience in a commercial organization and/or the non-profit sector operating in international environments, including business planning; experience with SFSA is an advantage
• The ability to forge strong working relationships with a wide range of public and private partners across the globe to deliver plans for scaling up SFSA business models
• The ability to influence and work through “virtual” teams, often at great distances
• The ability to thrive in a demanding and rapidly changing development environment and master the additional challenges of working in emerging markets
• The ability to demonstrate effective communications and external relations skills.
• The ability to work highly independently
• Ability to communicate financial information to a non-financial audience

 Minimum Education and Critical Knowledge  

• The position demands a Degree and Masters-level knowledge of business planning, strategic value chain analysis and/or management in the context of emerging economies
• Strong project management skills, including proficient knowledge of the PM tool (Smartsheet)
• Excellent English, written and spoken and a good working knowledge of at least one other language of major relevance in agricultural development and cooperation, particularly in SFSA’s spheres of cooperation
• Strong communication skills; knowledge of how to facilitate results across cultures, often in “virtual” teams • A talent for business planning, and a strong desire to develop this further.

Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA) is a Swiss based non-profit international development organization aiming at creating value for smallholders farmers in Asia and Africa by promoting sustainable agriculture technologies and activation of value chains that help farmers to increase food production, improve access to markets, and mitigate risks. SFSA, with its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland focuses on scalable innovations and act as a catalyst and incubator. SFSA is present in Kenya as Syngenta Foundation East Africa (SFEA) a non-profit organization, which focuses on creating value for resource-poor smallholder farmers in developing countries through innovation in sustainable agriculture and the activation of value chains.

Activities in Kenya began in 2009, working with farmers in the arid and semi-arid areas of Laikipia. Since 2018, SFEA’s operational strategy has been focused on validating commercially viable business models to facilitate access to a range of agricultural services from production to market, including input and output hubs. Machinery rental options form a part of these business models. Greater mechanization enables farmers to raise productivity, reduce drudgery and free up time for additional off-farm employment. The services also cover training on agronomy and compliance with the quality standards required for access to more lucrative markets, input buying, and output sales. To learn more, please visit www.syngentafoundation.org.