Vredeseilanden wants to contribute to viable livelihoods of organized
family farmers in South and North. We believe that family farmers can
feed the world and work themselves out of poverty, while respecting the
boundaries of the planet.
Vredeseilanden supports family farmers in gaining a decent income from
sustainable agriculture. We do so by supporting them to improve their
position in the whole agricultural value chain, from production to
consumption.
Therefore, Vredeseilanden facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogues with
value chain actors, private sector and governments. We use evidence from
the value chain interventions to reach agenda’s for structural change.
We are recruiting for our office in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso a:
Regional Director VECO West Africa
Based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Objective of the position:
Develop, lead and manage the regional VECO office in Burkina Faso and
prepare a future positioning of the regional branch as part of a network
organisation i.e. making the transition to an autonomous member
organisation. Lead the VECO program, taking into account the regional
context, so as to achieve maximum and sustainable increase in income of
organized family farmers.
Responsibilities:
Management and change management
 Ensure the successful functioning of the VECO West Africa office. This
entails :
- the development of specific policies for the regional program
(financial, HR, programmatic) in line with Vredeseilanden global
policies, and taking into account the regional context and legal
framework
- End responsibility for the financial and HR management of the
regional VECO West Africa office
- Managing and inspiring the regional team
- Being an active and visible coach to the team
 Support the efficient transition towards a global network organisation
: identify potential risks and resistances and create conditions for a
Blijde Inkomststraat 50 | 3000 Leuven | Belgium
Ondernemingsnr. 0420.656.336 | Rek.nr. 000-0000052-52 | IBAN BE64 0000 0000 5252
Tel.: ++32(0)16-31.65.80 | Fax: ++32(0)16-31.65.81 | info@vredeseilanden.be |
www.vredeseilanden.be
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smooth transition towards a more independent and financially
autonomous member organisation of the global network
In the future : take co-responsibility for the global network
organisation
Representation and networking
 Ensure VECO West Africa is integrated into strategically relevant
local and regional networks and ensure that VECO West Africa does not
operate in (splendid) isolation.
 Represent VECO in the region and ensure the liaison between the
region, Vredeseilanden in Belgium and its key stakeholders (volunteers
and donors)
 Work towards financial autonomy of the regional office.
Diversification of funds will be key.
Program
 End responsibility for the regional program in line with the global
Vredeseilanden policies, strategies and guidelines, taking into
account the regional context. This means :
- leading the regional team towards the continuous development of
strategies and policies, to enhance the capabilities of farmer
organizations and their members to become strong collective
business organizations, while linking up these farmer
organizations with other chain actors like processors, traders,
retailers, consumers… in order to reach up-scaling and
structural changes at regional level. The active participation
of partners and key stakeholders is crucial in this.
- Ensuring the regular and systematic assessment of the program’s
performance, and adjusting if needed, by using the internal
Planning, Learning and Accountability system of Vredeseilanden
Profile
 Masters degree or equivalent in (Development) economics, Business
Administration, (Sustainable) agriculture, or Development studies or
equivalent by experience
 Very good knowledge of English as working language of the global
organisation of Vredeseilanden. Very good knowledge of French as the
local language of the West African region.
 Background in International Development Cooperation
 Experience in collaborating with private actors, multi-stakeholder
approach
 Experience in a network organization is an asset
Blijde Inkomststraat 50 | 3000 Leuven | Belgium
Ondernemingsnr. 0420.656.336 | Rek.nr. 000-0000052-52 | IBAN BE64 0000 0000 5252
Tel.: ++32(0)16-31.65.80 | Fax: ++32(0)16-31.65.81 | info@vredeseilanden.be |
www.vredeseilanden.be
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Sufficient knowledge of and experience with financial management and
reporting
≥ 5 years in management position
≥ 5 years of living and working in a developing country
Good knowledge of the regional West African context
Good knowledge of development issues, business (models), value chains
and associated areas
A global vision and a broad interest, able to see problems from
different angles and seek solutions with experts
Know key concepts and methods in financial and HR management
An excellent cross-cultural communicator and an active listener
A strong networker
Fundraising capacities
Strong leadership
Able to manage, coach and motivate a multicultural team
Able to put people in their strengths
Change management skills and the capacity to steer, in a strategic
manner
A strong affinity with Vredeseilanden mission and values
Firmly believe that the strong interdependence and collaborative
efforts of civil society, business and public authorities/services is
the only way to come to sustainable progress, co-creation, dialogue
How to apply?
Please send your application with CV and motivation letter to
jobs@vredeseilanden.be before 2 November 2015.
Start contract: 1 January 2016
Blijde Inkomststraat 50 | 3000 Leuven | Belgium
Ondernemingsnr. 0420.656.336 | Rek.nr. 000-0000052-52 | IBAN BE64 0000 0000 5252
Tel.: ++32(0)16-31.65.80 | Fax: ++32(0)16-31.65.81 | info@vredeseilanden.be |
www.vredeseilanden.be