The SPS Global Program Lead will spearhead the formulation and implementation of CABI’s SPS strategy. The post holder will coordinate and be responsible for conceptualisation and implementation of CABI’s SPS programs. Additionally, they will contribute to project development endeavors in alignment with CABI’s strategy, country and donor needs and opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Development of CABI’s SPS strategy and annual operational plans in line with CABI’s Medium Term Strategy (MTS), member country priorities, donor requirements and expectations.
• Provide high level technical support to the Global Director, Value Chain & Trade, Senior Regional Directors and Programme Executives in implementing the core functions of the Standards and SPS programs as is appropriate.
• Identify, establish and maintain a network of importers, producers, exporters, academia, and regulatory authorities in order to ensure work supports increasing trade flows and investment in agriculture; supporting the understanding, interpretation and adoption of related legislation that has been passed and implemented; and helps support realising export opportunities for new agricultural products.
• Engage with the private sector and other entities engaging in SPS to continuously scan for gaps and identify revenue generating opportunities for SPS projects.
• Support and guide account managers and development staff in fund-raising activities and proposal development, leading where appropriate.
• Support country and regional teams to regularly prepare and update their Standards and SPS workplans, M&E plans, mobilisation plans, progress reports, and end of project reports.
• Ensure that SPS project objectives/implementation are on track, budget is utilised as planned, implementation & documentation complies with donor requirements.
• Participate in joint annual planning to ensure effective mainstreaming of the SPS agenda in CABI’s programs.
• Ensure that continual learning is embedded into projects and programmes and is used to inform and adapt interventions.
• Liaise with the Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation team and Gender Manager to ensure effective formulation of SPS-related indicators and development of relevant data collection tools.

Requirements

Experience:

• Extensive experience (10 + years) at senior leadership level in SPS strategy development, fund raising and subsequent programs conceptualisation, design and development, implementation and business development Working alongside colleagues, s/he will develop and implement plans to grow CABI’s portfolio of SPS programs, thereby contributing to the achievement of CABI’s overall operational and strategic objectives.
• Experience working with Public sector is a must have and Private sector will be an added advantage.
• Experience working for an SPS Competent Authority, International organisation, international NGO or multinational/corporates relating to trade.
• The applicants will be reviewed in terms of trade and commercial knowledge, and ability to clearly state the problems and propose solutions to addressing agricultural trade impediments and opportunities.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Embody values and understand the future challenges and opportunities for SPS development.
• Demonstrable experience in successful design and implementation of SPS strategy, fund raising and operationalising through programs.
• Knowledge of WTO SPS Agreement, SPS measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, IPPC, Codex or WOAH.
• Leadership experience in building an organisational structure that can deliver the SPS strategy, managing a global team in a matrix structure.
• Computer literacy required, fluent with MS packages.

Education & Qualifications:

• PhD in plant Protection, Food Safety & Quality, Animal Health, Nutrition, Public Health, Business Administration, Economics, Quality Infrastructure, or related science or social science field.
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of French will be an added advantage.