Reporting: to the Executive Director
Primary Location: AFAAS Secretariat Kampala
Job Type : Full time
Duration : Two years ( Renewable based on performance and funding availability)
1. Background
African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is a Continental body that brings National
Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) stakeholders under one umbrella. The AFAAS’ goal is
to enhance utilization of improved knowledge and innovations by agricultural value chain actors for improving
productivity oriented towards their individual and national development objectives. AFAAS desires to ensure
enhanced competency of AEAS providers to enable them better address the increasing needs and demands
of various value chain actors. The AFAAS 2018-2027 strategy focuses on three pillars namely: (i)
strengthening and expanding network and knowledge management capacities. (ii) Developing capacities for
scaling out technologies and innovations. (iii) Facilitating advancement of AEAS. Notably, Agricultural
extension is a key component of the innovation system, plays a pivotal role in promoting productivity,
increasing food security, strengthening rural communities, and underpinning agriculture as the engine of propoor economic growth and one of the key pillars for transforming rural livelihoods and contributing to Africa’s
agenda 2063.
2. Overall Goal and Reporting
Recognizing AFAAS’ mandate, the Director of Extension and Programmes (DoEP) is the senior technical and
operational lead responsible for translating the Executive Director’s strategic vision into high-quality
programme delivery. The DoEP provides leadership for programme quality, partnerships, technical oversight,
and organizational performance. He/She is the principal deputy to the Executive Director and shall act for the
Executive Director during periods of authorized absence or when delegated to do so. In this delegated
capacity, the DoEP shall provide leadership to the Secretariat, oversee programme and operational functions,
represent the organization as appropriate, and exercise delegated authority in accordance with AFAAS
policies, Board decisions, and applicable legal and financial delegations.
3. Duties and Responsibilities:
In performing this function, the specific duties and responsibilities inter alia include:
A. Strategic Programme Leadership
The DoEP shall Provide leadership in the design, implementation and continuous improvement of AFAAS’
programme portfolio, ensuring alignment with the CAADP Kampala Strategy, AFAAS’ Strategic Plan, donor
priorities and emerging continental and global priorities. The key responsibilities include:
i. Provide leadership in programme planning and annual work planning.
ii. Ensure strategic coherence across projects.
iii. Identify emerging opportunities for programme innovation and scaling.B. Technical Leadership and quality assurance
Provide technical oversight to ensure that programmes deliver high-quality, evidence-based results and
position AFAAS as the continental technical leader in AEAS. This will include:
i. Review technical outputs and deliverables, while ensuring programme quality standards are adhered to;
ii. Provide leadership and mentorship to programme teams and consultants on technical and operational
matters, while ensuring the effective utilization of human and financial resources and fostering a resultsoriented, high-performance culture;
iii. Promote systems thinking, innovation and adaptive learning across AFAAS programmes to strengthen
technical quality, foster continuous improvement, and enhance the effectiveness, integration and
sustainability of AEAS systems;
iv. Coordinate operations of AFAAS in accordance with the direction established in the strategic plans and
governance system;
v. Provide oversight in managing the programme budget and facilitate budget approvals and revision
processes as per AFAAS policies and procedures;
vi. Lead in quality assurance of AFAAS management systems for the Secretariat and country and Regional
Fora programmes
C. Programme Coordination and Delivery
Coordinate implementation across projects, Country Fora, regional networks and strategic partners to ensure
timely delivery of results. The key responsibilities include:
i. Supervise project coordinators and technical staff to ensure effective and timely planning and
implementation of programs and projects to deliver high impact results and innovative solutions;
ii. Review projects’ Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPB), and monitor progress against work plans
and consistently provide briefs to the AFAAS ED.
iii. Coordinate multi country processes and initiatives of scaling good practices and agricultural innovations
within AFAAS and its networks;
D. Partnership Development and Stakeholder Engagement
Lead engagement with strategic programme partners and strengthen collaboration across the continental
AEAS ecosystem with following responsibilities:
i. Coordinate and oversee programme partnerships with AU institutions, agricultural research, extension
and education organizations, Regional Economic Communities, Country and Regional Fora and other
strategic partners to ensure effective implementation of AFAAS programmes and alignment with
organizational priorities.
ii. Provide technical leadership in strengthening collaborative programme linkages with governments,
National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES), universities, CGIAR centres, the
private sector, farmer organizations, civil society and development partners, while supporting the
Executive Director in operationalizing strategic partnerships and supervising their implementation.
iii. Oversee the design, coordination and performance of programme-related partnerships, including the
Africa Wide Agricultural Extension Week, coalitions and collaborative initiatives across continental,
regional and national levels, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, programme objectives
and donor commitments. iv. Guide and supervise partnership implementation by the Executive Support and Partnerships Expert
and other programme staff, while supporting the Executive Director in identifying and cultivating highvalue strategic alliances and institutional relationships
E. Advocacy and Resource Mobilization and Business Development
Support the Executive Director in expanding AFAAS’ programme portfolio including:
i. Provide technical leadership in the development and implementation of programme partnerships and
collaborative frameworks, contributing to evidence-based advocacy, resource mobilization and the
growth of AFAAS’ programme portfolio.
ii. Lead proposal development, identify funding opportunities, coordinate consortium development, and
maintain donor relationships at programme level.
iii. Coordinate initiatives that Strengthen AEAS advocacy by regional organizations and AFAAS
partners, and support the identification of partners for joint advocacy promotions that increase
awareness of AEAS,
iv. Provide technical guidance and contribute to evidence-based advocacy and policy engagement to
promote an enabling environment for inclusive, transparent and effective AEAS, and the successful
implementation of AFAAS programmes.
F. Programme Monitoring Evaluation, Learning and Knowledge Managemen
Ensure programmes generate evidence for decision-making and organizational learning by:
i. Providing strategic oversight for the design, implementation and continuous improvement of AFAAS’
Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) framework and systems;
ii. Ensuring the timely collection, analysis, utilization and reporting of programme performance data for
evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management;
iii. Oversee programme performance monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting, ensuring the timely
preparation and quality assurance of donor, management, Board and statutory reports, including
baseline and endline surveys, quarterly, annual and project completion reports, while promoting
knowledge generation, documentation of lessons learned and the dissemination of best practices
across the AFAAS network
G. Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director
4. Qualifications, Experience and Reputation
i. A minimum of Doctorate degree in Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development,
Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Rural Innovations, Development Studies, or
a related field. A strong background in agricultural extension is an added advantage.
ii. Professional certification in Project/Programme Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, or
Leadership and Management. at strategic and operational levels is desirable.
iii. At least 5 years of professional experience in the design, management and implementation of
agricultural development programmes, with a minimum of five (5) years in a senior management or
leadership position in reputable high level organizations.
iv. Proven experience in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, agricultural innovation systems,
rural development, food systems, digital extension, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural
commercialization, agroecology, soil health or related fields.
v. Demonstrated experience leading and operating within complex organizational environments, and
managing multi-country, donor-funded programmes and coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships.vi. Strong proven track record in programme planning, implementation, PMEL, knowledge management,
resource mobilization, and partnership development.
vii. Experience working with governments, farmer organizations, research and educational institutions,
Regional Economic Communities, AU institutions, media houses, development partners, and the
private sector.
viii. Proven record of professional conduct in all previous work experience without histories of criminality,
fraud, and other cases that can compromise individual and institutional integrity.
5. Competencies
i. Strong leadership, strategic planning, programme management and team supervision skills.
ii. Excellent knowledge of results-based management, PMEL, knowledge management, and continental
agricultural policy frameworks.
iii. Excellent analytical, communication, stakeholder engagement and report-writing skills.
iv. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools; and knowledge of digital advisory systems
v. Excellent command of English; working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an added
advantage
vi. Flexibility, adaptability and creativity in managing challenging situations
6. APPLICATIONS
Qualified candidates are invited to submit via email comprehensive Curriculum Vitae together with a motivation letter
and names/contact details of three referees to: secretariat@afaas-africa.org
Applications will be assessed against the required skills, experience and tests set based on the attributes highlighted
above. Applications will be accepted up to Thursday 17th September, 2026 at 5.00 p.m.(EAT)
Due to anticipated high volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
AFAAS Affirmative Action Statement on Employment: there is no discrimination on the basis of gender race, religion,
ethnic orientation, disability or health status.
