Science, Technology, and Innovation Director

Job Description

Position Summary:
The Science, Technology and Innovation Director is responsible for coordinating the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) activities of the CAT. This includes facilitating partnership activities that leverage the CAT Centre; cultivating and engaging a network of agricultural researchers in Malawi and co-facilitate research-on-demand pipeline development and activity progress; and working closely with CAT local academic partners (MUST and LUANAR) on capacity building initiatives related to STI.

In order to deliver on the duties and responsibilities outlined below, the STI Director will work closely with the STI Technical Advisors, which includes experts from the University of Minnesota (UMN) and Stellenbosch University (SU), as well as other CAT team members based in Lilongwe such as the Executive Director, BIC Director, Portfolio Managers, Grants Manager and others. The STI Director will manage and be supported by an Agronomic Services Manager, who will take lead on coordinating field-based activities on CAT land.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Scope for relevant private sector firms/companies and assess them for possible involvement in demonstrating ag-production technologies (including seed, seedlings, agro-chemicals, etc.) on CAT hub demonstration plots
• Support STI Technical Advisors in external partnership development.
• Based on priority research areas, develop and maintain a knowledge repository of current and ongoing STI related projects, institutions and individuals within Malawi, and elsewhere, for use by CAT senior personnel in activity scoping and implementation
• Manage ongoing, proactive relationships with all members of the CAT research network (e.g., DARS, MUST, LUANAR, ATI partners, etc.), to coordinate their seamless participation in relevant CAT research activities when opportunities arise.
• Manage relationships with and technical assistance provision to MUST and LUANAR.
• Lead development of use agreements for CAT mobile lab hosts and provide technical assistance to lab curators. Support lab network program development.
• Lead incorporation of STI research results into BIC activities through updates and collaboration with the CAT BIC Director
• Coordinate and manage local human capacity development opportunities
• Coordinate selection and logistics of CAT Fellows based at Malawian and non-Malawian universities; these Fellows will supervise CAT Scholars.
• Establish and maintain a support network of CAT Scholars (Masters and PhD scholarships) at Malawian and non-Malawian institutions
• Coordinate logistics for visiting fellows and scholars to the CAT Centre.
• Coordinate logistics and communications for STI workshops and academic short courses presented at the CAT Centre.
• Performing additional duties as assigned

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree in an agriculture related field. PhD holders in an agriculture related field shall have an added advantage.
• 10+ years’ relevant experience in Malawi/SADC region, with a good understanding of academia, the public and private sector.
• Demonstrated experience and sound understanding of science, technology and innovation – including the application of science, research and development to business and commercial activities.
• A strong science background together with a broad knowledge base to support the diverse nature of CAT STI activities.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships, functional networks and productive relations between individuals, stakeholders and institutions.
• Strong inter-personal skills, self-motivated and result-driven, with a proactive approach to work.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing and preparation.
• Good command of English, spoken and written. Command of Chichewa (spoken and written) is not required but will improve candidate suitability.

Please Apply before the 12th of March.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls will be accepted.

Land O’Lakes never requests money or payments from candidates for any position type. Please report any such requests to Land O’Lakes.

About the Organization

Land O'Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.

Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for the last 36 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.