Full time
Posted 30/04/2025
Closed 14/05/2025
The Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture (AAPCRA) Research Program Manager reports to the Research Director and will have responsibility for the design, delivery and monitoring of AAPCRA related research investments and collaborating in the design and review process of other Research Programs. Working closely with the Research Director, Research Program Managers (RPM) and Director Capacity Development the AAPCRA RPM ensures that ACIAR’s research and capacity development investments align and deliver on the objectives and ambition of this program. Led by ACIAR, the AAPCRA program will improve smallholder farmer access to climate-smart innovations and safeguard food production as the impacts of climate change become more severe across Africa. AAPCRA aims to also empower African research organisations to respond to this intrinsic threat through capacity development initiatives and work with policymakers to plan climate-responsive agriculture into the future. Under the ACIAR-DFAT Record of Understanding, ACIAR will expand its work in Africa into the north and west of the continent. The AAPCRA RPM will be responsible for leading this expansion.
The AAPCRA RPM position is responsible for commissioning, co-developing and managing a coherent portfolio of capacity development and research-for-development projects, primarily in North and West Africa, aligned with the overarching design document for the AAPCRA program. ACIAR Investments within AAPCRA will typically involve partnerships that link the innovation systems and capacity in Australia with those in Africa, bringing together partners in universities, public research and development agencies, and the private sector.
The position of RPM is a key part of ACIAR’s distinctive partnership brokering model of capacity development and research investment in developing countries. The AAPCRA RPM will work collaboratively and constructively with internal partners from all Branches of the agency. In particularly in the design of the AAPCRA program the AAPCRA RPM will work closely with the ACIAR Africa team and across Research Programs, Capacity Development and Impact and Learning to facilitate the appropriate capacity and experience from within ACIAR to participate in, and in some case lead, the design and implementation of investment opportunities within the AAPCRA program.
The AAPCRA RPM will also have responsibility in supporting the Partnerships Branch of ACIAR in managing the relationships, communications and the delivery of reporting obligations with DFAT (Posts in Africa and Desk in Canberra). This position will ensure alignment of AAPCRA activities/projects with DFAT and ACIAR M&E processes (as per the AAPCRA M&E framework), lead DFAT annual reporting requirements, supporting communications (both within and beyond the Australian government agencies), and ensure efficient use and justification of AAPCRA funds.
The AAPCRA RPM will ensure technical excellence and efficiency in design and implementation of projects, and capture opportunities for cross-program and cross-organisation synergies.
We are seeking a senior research leader with significant experience in research and capacity development in Africa who can lead the establishment and delivery of the Capacity Development and Research Program of AAPCRA, primarily in North and West Africa.
The position is based at our headquarters in Canberra with international travel required approximately six (6) times per year.
The key duties of the position include:The Research Program Manager will be responsible for managing the AAPCRA program and contributing to delivery of the ACIAR 10 Year Strategy through the following duties:
The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is a statutory agency within the Australian Government’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio. It operates under the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Act 1982. ACIAR invests in collaborative research and knowledge-sharing partnerships to improve the livelihoods and resilience of smallholder farming, fishing and forestry communities in Africa, South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. We work with governments and institutions to grow food more efficiently, increase food system resilience, improve human nutrition, empower women and girls, reduce poverty, and manage natural resources sustainably. Our partnerships prioritise economic, social and environmental benefits for partner countries, and contribute to the development of our international and Australian partner institutions’ research, policy and leadership capabilities. Further information on our current projects, programs and priorities can be found at https://www.aciar.gov.au/. It’s important to note that ACIAR are responsible for commissioning research, not undertaking research.