Chief of Staff & Strategy

About AGRA

AGRA is a continent-wide African institution focused on transforming agri-food systems. For over two decades, it has collaborated with diverse stakeholders including governments, the private sector, research bodies, and development organizations to bolster smallholder farmer productivity, market access, and resilience. Their efforts emphasize sustainable transformation to ensure food security and long-term economic growth.

In celebration of its 20 years of impact, AGRA aims to consolidate and accelerate efforts to make Africa's agri-food systems scalable, investable, and full of opportunities for key beneficiaries moving forward.

Role Summary

The Chief of Staff & Strategy acts as a pivotal strategic partner to the President and leadership team, spearheading organizational-wide transformation and strategic execution. This senior role oversees the President's Office and transformation initiatives to guarantee that organizational priorities are fulfilled efficiently and cross-functional projects achieve alignment with AGRA’s mission.

Major Responsibilities

• Manage the daily functions of the President’s Office and collaborate closely with the Executive Committee to proactively address institutional priorities.
• Lead corporate strategic planning and business cycles, ensuring clear institutional priorities and coordinating unit plans with targets and resources.
• Maintain and govern AGRA's overarching strategic framework and portfolio across corporate, regional, and country levels.
• Design and execute annual and multi-year strategic planning, defining clear goals, KPIs, and integration into transformation processes.
• Develop high-level strategic advice for the President and Board derived from internal and external analyses.
• Embed organizational learning into strategy through reflective practices and evaluation insights.
• Oversee strategic governance forums to streamline decision-making and ensure accountability.
• Lead the Transformation Office to implement and monitor key strategic initiatives including digital transformation, operational efficiency, culture development, cost optimization, and sustainability.
• Act as project lead or executive sponsor on strategic cross-institutional initiatives prioritized by the President.
• Drive change management initiatives such as restructures and cultural transformation to support AGRA’s strategic goals.
• Prepare comprehensive executive-level reports and briefs supporting decision-making while handling confidential information.
• Communicate and enforce the President’s priorities within AGRA and to external partners ensuring alignment.
• Provide strategic counsel to the President and senior executives, utilizing independent evaluations to inform long-term direction.
• Engage with critical stakeholders including grantees, partners, and the Board, and represent AGRA at key forums to foster partnerships.

Engagement and Governance

• Represent the President on committees, leadership forums, and select external events, advocating AGRA’s priorities.
• Manage President’s Office communications ensuring clear, consistent messaging and support internal change management efforts.
• Organize and optimize effectiveness of executive and staff meetings, from agenda setting to follow-up.
• Coordinate cross-departmental projects involving senior leadership to ensure alignment and resource optimization.
• Promote collaboration across departments and support a collegial culture consistent with AGRA’s values.
• Work with the Board Secretary to deliver high-quality Board materials and provide strategic guidance to the President.

Corporate Planning and Delivery

• Guide the communications team on preparing high-level media releases and briefings for the President’s engagements.
• Oversee ongoing strategy adaptations, updates to corporate and country plans, and annual goal setting with the leadership team.
• Lead creation of executive presentations and materials for Board and donor discussions, translating strategy into actionable narratives.
• Support development and use of analytical tools, governance structures, KPIs, and dashboards to rigorously track strategy implementation.
• Monitor and analyze progress of strategic initiatives, identifying risks and opportunities, recommending corrective actions, and driving accountability.

Candidate Profile

• MBA or advanced degree in business, public policy, organizational leadership, or related disciplines.
• Additional professional certification enhancing skills in research, communication, leadership, or strategic execution is advantageous.
• Minimum 12 years of sustained experience in strategy, operations, management consulting, or executive leadership.
• At least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity with proven management of strategic planning and complex cross-functional projects.
• Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and structured thinking capabilities.
• Exceptional communication skills across written, verbal, and interpersonal channels.
• Ability to navigate and influence without direct authority and handle sensitive information discreetly.
• Proven experience collaborating with senior leadership, boards, and executive teams in dynamic environments.
• Background in transforming agrifood systems highly preferred.
• Experience leading organizational effectiveness initiatives including OKR/goal-setting and change management.

Terms and Location

• This position is a 2-year renewable contract dependent on funding.
• Role is based in Nairobi, Kenya, with approximately 25% international travel annually.