Hub Director - Western Africa Hub & Sahel and Agricultural Policy Expert at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Hub Director - Western Africa Hub & Sahel and Agricultural Policy Expert

Ref No: DDG-R4D/WD/APL/07/26
Location: Abuja
Job type: Full time

Description

• The Hub Director-Western Africa Hub & Sahel and Agricultural Policy Expert will serve as Hub Director for West Africa and Sahel Hubs (WASH) and lead its agricultural policy and advocacy activities. 
• The position is based in Abuja, Nigeria, so the incumbent will also be the Nigeria country representative for IITA and the officer in charge (OiC) of the Abuja station. (IITA has stations in Kano, Ibadan, Onne, Abuja).

Position Responsibilities
Hub Director:

• Management Oversight: Provide overall strategic, operational, and compliance oversight for Hub activities, including expansion into new countries.
• Internal Collaboration: Facilitate coordination with IITA HQ and Service Units, strengthen internal communication among scientists and specialists, support strategy implementation (including Impact Bundles and country programs), and oversee operational alignment across Hub, country, and station levels.
• Resource Mobilization: Lead and coordinate regional resource mobilization efforts aligned with country initiatives, with a focus on technical assistance programs. Support engagement with regional and national donors, facilitate investment programs and proposal development, and identify partnership opportunities to advance IITA and CGIAR objectives.
• Research for Development (R4D) & Partnership for Development (P4D) Leadership and Capacity: Guide and integrate Science Areas while strengthening talent pipelines and succession for R4D and P4D/S roles. Promote collaboration across programs, support mentoring and capacity development for R4D and P4D/S staff and enable integrated project delivery within the Hub.
• External Representation & Partnerships: Represent IITA in regional platforms; strengthen engagement with regional bodies (e.g., ECOWAS, CORAF, FARA).
• Communication & Visibility: Promote IITA and CGIAR work and visibility across Hub, country, and station levels, ensuring consistent external messaging and stakeholder engagement.

Country Representative:

• Management Oversight: Coordinate IITA’s engagement and partnerships with external stakeholders at the country level.
• IITA Strategy Implementation: Support the execution of IITA strategy through investment planning and operationalization of Impact Bundles within the country.
• Research for Development (R4D) & Partnership for Development (P4D Partnership: Facilitate and formalize collaborative partnerships and agreements between IITA and R4D and P4D/S stakeholders. (NARS and universities, national development agencies, private sector, NGOs, and community-based organizations)
• External Representation & Partnerships: Represent IITA in national platforms, strengthen engagement with governments, CGIAR, donors, private sector, and development partners, and ensure alignment with national and regional priorities.

Officer in Charge:

• Management Oversight: Provide overall oversight of station administration, financial operations, infrastructure, and support services, including coordination with relevant stakeholders and approval of staff handovers.
• Research for Development (R4D) & Partnership for Development Leadership & Capacity: Provide oversight R4D support services at the stations (e.g., farms, lab maintenance).
• Station & CGIAR Support: Provide operational and administrative support to CGIAR centres at station level and lead local outreach and promotional activities.

Policy and Advocacy:

• Provide strategic leadership for CGIAR policy engagement, advocacy, and partnerships in Nigeria, ensuring alignment with national development and agrifood priorities.
• Serve as the primary CGIAR policy focal point, leading the design and implementation of country-level policy engagement strategies.
• Drive the development and dissemination of evidence-based policy products (briefs, papers, technical notes) to influence decision-making.
• Promote the uptake of CGIAR research and identify emerging policy opportunities for engagement and advocacy.
• Strengthen stakeholder collaboration across government, research, private sector, and development partners.
• Advance inclusive policy processes by integrating youth perspectives and facilitating their participation in policy dialogues.
• Strengthen partnerships with ministries, research institutions, private sector, and youth organizations; support youth-responsive policies; and promote youth participation in agrifood systems and policy platforms.

Country Convener for CGIAR in Nigeria:

• Internal  Coordination: Organize regular internal CGIAR coordination events (seminars, interactions) to build relationships and efficiencies among Centres and Program/ Accelerator focal points.
• External Partnership and Visibility: Organize and facilitate CGIAR Partnership event(s) that highlight the portfolio and Centres’ and Programs’/ Accelerators’ contributions to national priorities and solicit and communicate demand from partners into the Portfolio.

Requirements
Educational Qualifications and Experience:

• The candidate should possess an Advanced Degree (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in Agricultural Science or a related field from a reputable institution
• Minimum of at least 20 years of relevant professional experience, including a minimum of five years in a senior leadership role.
• Extensive experience working in multicultural and international environments, with a strong understanding of Africa's agricultural, rural, and economic development landscape.
• Proven ability in resource mobilization and engagement with key agricultural sector financiers and partners.
• Strong Project Management experience including managing donor-funded programs and compliance processes.
• Extensive experience in multicultural and international environments, with strong understanding of Africa’s agricultural, rural, and economic development landscape.

Core Competencies:

• Operational Excellence: Delivers efficient, accurate, and results-driven outcomes.
• Systems & Process Optimization: Improves workflows and drives operational efficiency.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Builds strong relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Integrity & Confidentiality: Maintains high ethical standards and discretion.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Strategic Thinking: Excellent analytical and problem-solving capability.

General information: 

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in US Dollars.

Application Closing Date
24th July, 2026. 

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online