Agricultural Technology Advisor

Focus of the Role

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is looking to hire an exceptional Advisor to lead the delivery of TBI’s AgTech projects in Togo, as part of the wider organisation’s ambition to make a positive difference to the lives of people through highly impactful, technology-enabled development solutions. The role would start immediately and be based in Lomé, Togo.

Candidates should have experience and expertise across technology and government advisory, have a background in agriculture, agtech and ideally have previously worked on a successful agtech product rollout for either government or a notable private/public sector organisation.

Job Introduction

The successful candidate will join a growing team focused on ‘technology for transformation’, leading the organisation’s agtech work in Togo while also working closely with TBI’s Tech for Development central team. They will need to facilitate engagement between the Government of Togo (GoT) and a variety of private and public sector stakeholders, and develop a strong understanding of the digital landscape and agricultural value chain in Togo, to drive delivery of highly impactful AgTech products, advising and supporting strategy, efficient development and product adoption.

This is an initial 2-year fixed-term contract.

Key Responsibilities

In the immediate term, the key responsibilities are as follows:

• Scoping: Develop a strong understanding of the agricultural sector and digital landscape in Togo, and establish, in close collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant stakeholders, a preliminary list of transformative agtech opportunities in line with Togo’s National Roadmap for 2025
• Feasibility Assessment: Assess short term and long term feasibility of identified agtech opportunities, taking into account infrastructure, skills, funding and other enabling factors for the successful rollout of each opportunity
• Partnership Identification: Identify partnership opportunities with stakeholders with capacity to support product/solution development, infrastructure establishment or enabling factors around scoped agtech opportunities
• Reporting: Regularly inform both TBI country-level and central colleagues of progress through reporting and engagement sessions, and proactively escalate issues for further support as needed

On top of these immediate and ongoing responsibilities, the longer-term responsibilities of the role will involve:

• Planning and Design: Working closely with TBI’s Tech for Development team (in consultation with Government of Togo) to design, maintain and continually improve country project plans and tools to roll out technology-enabled development solutions in Togo’s agriculture sector
• Execution and Monitoring: Under the direction of the Country Head in Togo, and close collaboration with TBI’s Tech for Development team, including the Head of AgTech,  Deputy Global Director of Tech for Development, the AgTech Advisor will review and maintain project goals, plans, proof points and KPIs, as well as drive delivery, ideate, troubleshoot and manage roll-out. Where relevant, they will ensure expenditure is utilised in line with budget with robust management accounts and accountability established. Ensure all necessary risk, legal and financial compliance and processes are followed 
• Government Relations: Support the Country Head in Togo to maintain effective and trusted relationships in government, in line with the country project strategy and positioning, and in service of the overall TBI mission
• People: Support the recruitment and management of team staff, as required. The AgTech Advisor will be expected to develop strong working relationships with the TBI country team and with Government of Togo counterparts and sector partners.
• External Relations (non-governmental): Support the Country Head in Togo to engage with relevant external stakeholders such as information and technology companies, private and public sector agricultural partners, and other relevant stakeholders in the delivery of these agtech innovations

Person Specification

We are looking for a senior project manager or advisor:

• With experience in delivering impactful innovations and/or technology solutions on the continent
• With experience managing technology vendors (recruitment, contracting, on-going management to delivery) preferred
• With experience in Africa’s agriculture and agtech sector, and farmer information systems / farmer-facing technology and associated back end (data processing and flows)
• Ideally a minimum of 7 years’ project management experience (product design and product management experience a plus)
• Who commits to business objectives and pulls out the stops to make sure they are always met
• With the ability to work under pressure, and to coordinate with teams and multi-disciplinary advisors
• With strong communication skills
• Who can work flexibly and be adaptable, open to changing approaches in response to changing situations on the ground
• With understanding of Togo’s technology policy and regulatory landscape, and the discretion and judgment needed to navigate a complex environment
• Fluency in French and full professional proficiency in English is required

#On-Site

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Government Advisory teams work directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It works with a variety of partners and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.