The Position

 Special Advisor to the President Job Reference: SA/OOP/11/2025

•  The President of AGRA seeks a high performing, trusted, and strategically minded Special Advisor to join her Office as a senior partner in shaping and executing her global engagement agenda.
• This role blends executive support, coordination, and global engagement advisory. It requires an individual with exceptional judgment and contextual intelligence to enhance the President’s visibility and influence on global platforms. The Special Advisor will work closely with the President, Chief of Staff, and senior leadership to position AGRA at the center of Africa’s agrifood transformation narrative, while ensuring operational excellence and alignment within the Office of the President.

 Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Executive Support and Coordination (30 %)

• Serve as the operational anchor to the President, ensuring her time, focus, and engagements align with strategic priorities.
• Manage the President’s complex and dynamic calendar with precision, ensuring alignment of time with AGRA’s objectives.
• Anticipate needs, prepare daily briefs, and ensure the President is fully equipped for meetings, travel, and decision-making.
• Coordinate logistics for meetings, travel, and events involving high-level stakeholders (Heads of State, Ministers, donors, and Board members).
• Support preparation and coordination for key governance and leadership meetings (Board, Executive Committee, donor reviews, etc.).
• Support planning and execution of leadership off-sites, retreats, and major institutional events.
• Contribute to knowledge management, document organization, and process improvement within the Office of the President.
• Manage confidential information with utmost discretion and judgment.
• Ensure efficient systems for expense management, documentation, and information flow.
• Partner with the Chief of Staff to ensure internal systems and workflows operate with precision and excellence.

Strategic Advisory and Global Engagement (60 %)

• Serve as a strategic partner to the President, ensuring alignment of strategic priorities, partnerships, and global engagement with AGRA’s external influence agenda.
• Develop and execute a forward-looking communications and media strategy, in partnership with the CIEA team, to amplify the President’s visibility across global and digital platforms.
• Provide high-level writing and editorial support, including speeches, op-eds, podcasts, talking points, and strategic briefs for diverse audiences.
• Conduct research and data analysis to inform the President’s decision-making and strategic direction.
• Design and implement a “Global Moments” strategy that curates high-level speaking, thought leadership, and convening opportunities to maximize AGRA’s global influence.
• Advise on entry points and influence pathways within multilateral institutions, regional blocs, and donor ecosystems to advance AGRA’s mission.
• Provide geopolitical and policy intelligence through targeted analysis and concise briefings that anticipate emerging risks and opportunities.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across governments, development partners, philanthropy, and the private sector.

Culture, Values, and Team Collaboration (10%)

• Embody AGRA’s values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, and respect in all interactions.
• Build strong working relationships across teams and geographies to ensure alignment and execution.
• Support a positive, mission-driven culture in the President’s Office and across AGRA.

Key Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Up to 10 years of experience supporting CEOs in high-performing organizations (development, philanthropy, corporate, or government).
• Demonstrated success managing complex schedules, communications, and stakeholder interactions at senior levels.
• Experience in international development, donor-funded programs, or pan-African organizations strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working in a high-stakes, fast-paced executive environment where diplomacy, confidentiality, and adaptability are essential.

Skills and Attributes

• Exceptional organization, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication; ability to craft high-quality materials and correspondence.
• High emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and professionalism in engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to anticipate needs, think several steps ahead, and manage competing priorities.
• Discretion, sound judgment, and ability to handle sensitive information.
• Strong digital skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SharePoint, and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello).
• Collaborative spirit and a proactive, “no task too small” mindset.
• Deep alignment with AGRA’s mission to catalyze inclusive agricultural transformation in Africa.