Hub Director – Western Africa & Sahel, Agricultural Policy Expert

About the role

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is seeking a senior professional to lead its Western Africa and Sahel Hub. Based in Abuja, the Hub Director will also serve as IITA’s Nigeria country representative and oversee the Abuja station.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic, operational and compliance oversight for the Hub, including expansion into new countries.
• Coordinate with IITA headquarters and service units to align programmes, impact bundles and country initiatives.
• Lead regional resource mobilisation, donor engagement and proposal development for technical assistance programmes.
• Guide research‑for‑development (R4D) and partnership‑for‑development (P4D) activities, fostering talent pipelines and succession planning.
• Represent IITA on regional platforms and strengthen partnerships with bodies such as ECOWAS, CORAF and FARA.
• Ensure consistent external communication, visibility and stakeholder engagement across the Hub and its stations.

Required profile

• Extensive leadership experience managing multi‑country agricultural research or development programmes.
• Proven track record in agricultural policy, advocacy and resource mobilisation within West Africa and the Sahel.
• Strong understanding of CGIAR objectives and ability to align Hub activities with them.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with governments, donors and regional organisations.

Required skills

• In‑depth knowledge of agricultural policy and advocacy in the West African and Sahel context.
• Expertise in resource mobilisation, donor engagement and proposal development.
• Ability to lead and integrate research‑for‑development and partnership‑for‑development initiatives.
• Effective communication and external representation capabilities.