The African Leadership Academy (ALA) is dedicated to transforming the African continent by nurturing and connecting a new wave of young leaders. Established in 2008, ALA aims to shape a brighter future for Africa by cultivating exceptional leadership capabilities. The Africa Career Networks (ACN) program, initiated in 2012, expands this vision by providing students and alumni of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and ALA access to invaluable early-career opportunities. These avenues aim to accelerate their progression toward impactful careers.

Through collaborations with various foundations and strategic supporters, ACN has built seven dynamic, pan-African networks. Each network focuses on vital economic sectors, including:

  • Education
  • Health
  • The Arts
  • Agribusiness
  • Infrastructure
  • Governance
  • Professional Services

This network-centric approach has fostered significant social impact across the continent, connecting young leaders to over 5,000 internship and full-time job prospects.

AL for Agribusiness: Fostering Young Leaders in Agriculture

AL for Agribusiness is a specialized network focused on empowering young leaders within Africa’s agricultural sector. Its mission is to catalyze critical connections among stakeholders throughout the agricultural value chain, thus creating an ecosystem that opens up diverse career pathways. The network aims to support aspiring agripreneurs in their journey to establish innovative ventures aimed at boosting productivity and creating jobs within their communities.

Key initiatives of the network include:

  • Masterclasses
  • One-on-one coaching and career guidance
  • Co-Creation fund programs
  • Stakeholder engagement through virtual and in-person events
  • SME internship programs
  • Internship readiness workshops
  • Engagement with agriculture sector employers

By fostering intergenerational relationships, AL for Agribusiness facilitates the exchange of vital knowledge and resources, significantly impacting rural livelihoods.

Position Overview: Agribusiness Program Manager

The role of the Agribusiness Program Manager is pivotal in propelling the career trajectories of young leaders within the sector. This dynamic position is responsible for:

  1. Accelerating career opportunities through sector success and challenge programs.
  2. Connecting young talent with diverse internships and job opportunities.
  3. Building a pan-African network of employers and collaborators in agriculture.
  4. Engaging network members through events and programs with key industry players.
  5. Identifying entrepreneurial activities that fill industry gaps and promote positive impacts.

By nurturing collaboration and facilitating knowledge sharing, the program manager will inspire actionable solutions to improve the African agribusiness landscape.

Core Responsibilities of the Agribusiness Program Manager

Responsibility Description
Build Partnerships Sustain and develop partnerships with employers, stakeholders, and potential funders.
Execute Strategy Implement a long-term strategic vision to amplify impact on Africa’s agribusiness landscape.
Program Management Manage sector programs focused on leadership and professional development.
Network Growth Develop an effective strategy for stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
External Communications Articulate the philosophy of AL for Agribusiness and its impact through various platforms.
Stakeholder Partnerships Manage relationships with key partners and funders to ensure program success.
Project Delivery Contribute to program design, delivery, and the facilitation of engagement activities.
Budget Management Project budgetary needs, manage expectations and grant performance.

Profile of the Ideal Candidate

The perfect candidate for this role will possess the following qualities:

  • Proven experience in building win-win partnerships and successful fundraising in both non-profit and for-profit sectors.
  • A demonstrated ability to identify and evaluate high-impact opportunities.
  • Expertise in program development and initiative design.
  • Excellent project management skills with a track record of timely delivery.
  • A strong network within the African agribusiness space, coupled with a passion for relationship building.
  • Experience managing complex multi-workstream projects.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and report writing.
  • Effective marketing communications skills across various platforms.
  • Stellar stakeholder management abilities to coordinate with diverse partners.
  • Experience in guiding and coaching young talent to reach their full potential.
  • Competence in data management and generating analytics for reporting.
  • Proven facilitation skills to coordinate events and workshops for network engagement.

Desired Experience

  • A postgraduate degree in an agribusiness-related discipline.
  • Over five years of professional experience in agribusiness.
  • Management experience in a related field.
  • A comprehensive understanding of agribusiness challenges and opportunities in Africa.
  • A strong commitment to career development in agribusiness leadership.

Role Reporting and Starting Date

The Agribusiness Program Manager will report to the Senior Director of Career Programs. The anticipated start date for this position is November 1, 2024, with the role based in Johannesburg, South Africa.