Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) - Specialist – Implementation and Delivery

AGRA is an African-led institution dedicated to fostering inclusive agricultural transformation and sustainable food systems across the continent. Our mission is to empower approximately 33 million smallholder farming households to transition from subsistence farming to profitable businesses. We collaborate with partners to provide uniquely African solutions that address the agricultural and environmental challenges faced by farmers, aiming to increase harvests, reduce hunger, and improve incomes in alignment with the Kampala CAADP and national priorities.

Areas of Intervention:

• Policy and State Capability: Supporting governments in creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in agricultural transformation.

• Seed Systems: Enhancing productivity by improving the availability and accessibility of improved seeds for farmers, contributing to food security and better incomes.

• Sustainable Farming: Assisting farmers in developing resilient farming systems for sustained high yields through interventions like mechanization and irrigation.

• Inclusive Markets, Trade, and Finance: Strengthening linkages between farmers and market actors to improve access to finance, foster commercialization, and encourage reinvestment.

• Youth, Gender, and Inclusiveness: Enabling women and youth to contribute to and benefit from agriculture for their economic empowerment.

In partnership with the Government of Tanzania, AGRA is supporting the operationalization of the Agricultural Transformation Office (ATO) within the Ministry of Agriculture. The ATO serves as a delivery enabler, strengthening coordination, implementation discipline, performance management, and inter-institutional follow-through for the Agricultural Master Plan (Agricultural Master Plan 2050).

Position Overview:

The Specialist – Implementation and Delivery will be instrumental in driving the institutional capacity strengthening and delivery work of the ATO. Reporting to the ATO Director, this role will focus on operationalizing a fit-for-purpose delivery unit to accelerate the implementation of flagship initiatives under the agricultural master plan. The Specialist will establish and deploy delivery processes, tools, and templates, provide strategic guidance, and supervise delivery officers and analysts.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for establishing robust delivery standards and operations within the ATO and with key implementing stakeholders of the Agricultural Masterplan. This includes developing appropriate governance and coordination frameworks, problem-solving, performance management, and accountability systems, as well as fostering ecosystem collaboration around the AMP’s priority flagships.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and strengthen multi-stakeholder coordination and accountability mechanisms for agricultural masterplan flagships.

• Design and implement performance management and problem-solving frameworks, including regular stakeholder engagement and performance management tools.

• Design and operationalize the ATO’s governance and operating model, including internal processes and work rhythms.

• Develop and support the utilization of delivery tools and practices, including delivery chain analysis, stakeholder mapping, prioritization, and root cause analysis.

• Develop a data collection, organization, and analysis framework, fostering partnerships with National Statistical Offices and championing evidence-based decision-making.

• Forge a delivery coalition with government, private sector, and donor stakeholders to overcome challenges and accelerate AMP implementation.

• Provide technical support, coaching, supervision, and management to delivery specialists/analysts within the ATO.

• Support the ATO Director in preparing the ATO’s plan and budget, including a clear implementation plan and results framework.

• Embed and enhance a delivery culture and accountability mechanisms in key government institutions through capacity-building programs, on-the-job coaching, and learning by doing.

• Document lessons learned and produce knowledge products related to the ATO’s delivery model and approaches.

• Engage with key government stakeholders to mainstream Agricultural Masterplan flagships into annual work plans and budgets.

• Coordinate with the Minister’s staff and partners to deliver targeted capacity-building programs for the Ministry’s priority flagships.

• Direct and provide on-the-job coaching to relevant technical and administrative staff of the Ministry and ATO teams.

• Facilitate the strengthening of functional sectoral/multi-sectoral coordination platforms, working groups, and donor working groups.

• Support the Private Sector Engagement Specialist in designing resource mobilization pitches and engaging development partners for the Ministry’s priority flagships.

• Map, target, and engage partners in agrifood systems to forge and operationalize new partnerships for the Agricultural Master Plan.

• Foster teamwork, partnership, and collaboration among ATO and Ministry teams to enhance performance and impact.

• Develop systematic routines, frameworks, and dashboards to track performance and ensure accountability.

• Design and provide capacity-building packages to enhance leadership skills and delivery functions in consultation with AGRA and other partners.

• Instill and enforce a delivery culture through management routines, digital tools for planning, problem-solving, data tracking, and performance reporting.

• Ensure delivery routines are integrated into employees' daily norms and performance appraisal systems.

• Identify systemic constraints and key drivers of performance, motivations, and perceptions within the delivery system and provide evidence-based recommendations.

• Facilitate and coordinate functional sectoral/multi-sectoral platforms with clearly defined roles, structures, and systems among actors for effective implementation.

• Track, evaluate, and report performance outcomes to ensure accountability and learning across implementing partners in the delivery system.

Skills, Qualifications, and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics, Management, Public/Development Administration, Rural Development, or a related field. An advanced degree is an added advantage.

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in building and operating delivery mechanisms within or outside food systems, including establishing/running Agricultural Transformation Offices or Presidential Delivery Units.

• Proven experience in institutional capacity building of government institutions.

• Demonstrated track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with tangible results.

• Experience working with multi-stakeholder platforms, collaborative processes, and partner management across sectors.

• Strong knowledge of Tanzania’s food system context and political savviness.

• Expertise in designing, operationalizing, and/or running delivery mechanisms within or outside the food system landscape.

• Ability to map, engage, and coordinate with key public and private sector actors across agrifood systems to foster alignment and synergy around Agricultural Masterplan flagship programs.

• Ability to establish sound relationships and cross-functional partnerships, identify and respond to stakeholder needs, and provide quality delivery services.

• Capacity to set ambitious goals, inspire teams, and achieve results under pressure.

• Demonstrated thought leadership and clarity in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.

• Experience in translating aspirations into delivery plans and achieving ambitious targets.

How to Apply:

If you are a strong fit for this position, please submit your application with a detailed CV (including your email and telephone contact information) to recruit@agra.org. Please quote the job reference number SID/TZ/03/2026 on the subject line of your application email.

Applications must be received on or before 13th March 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For more information on AGRA, please visit www.agra.org.

AGRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.