The Secretariat

FARA Secretariat

The Secretariat is headed by the Executive Secretary (ES). He is responsible for the overall administration and legal representation of FARA. He is also responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the FARA Secretariat.

The Secretariat therefore, ensures that:

• » Programmes are implemented efficiently, both technically and in terms of allocation of human, financial and physical resources,
• » relationships with all key programme stakeholders are managed efficiently,
• » the right calibre of staff for the programme are recruited and sustained,
• » annual work-plans, budgets and financial statements for the programme are prepared on a timely basis,
• » progress reports and other necessary documentation with regards to implementation of the programme are prepared and distributed to the bank and other stakeholders and necessary,
• » appropriate mechanisms for the monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment of the programme are established and implemented and
• » all key programme meetings with stakeholders are planned and implemented.

The Executive Secretary of FARA

1. Appointment
   1. The Executive Secretary of FARA is appointed by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Executive Committee following a competitive world-wide international recruitment and selection procedure. Appointment will be on a contract for a fixed term, not to exceed four (4) years, with the option for one renewal also not to exceed four (4) years.
2. Functions and Powers:

   The Executive Secretary shall:

   1. as delegated by the Chairperson of FARA, serve as the chief administrative officer and legal representative of FARA ,
   2. provides leadership and manages the human, financial and physical resources of FARA and the FARA Secretariat,
   3. implements the decisions of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee,
   4. drafts an annual work plan and associate budget, and reports on progress made to the Executive Committee and as appropriate to the General Assembly,
   5. articulates new proposals and initiatives for funding by donors and African Governments,
   6. ensures the effective and efficient operation of the FARA Secretariat,
   7. puts the appropriate mechanisms in place for the monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment of FARA's activities,
   8. recruits, selects and appoints the staff required for the operations of the FARA Secretariat,
   9. develops and recommends to the Executive Committee to establish the necessary rules and regulations governing the employment of the secretariat staff,
   10. performs any other duties as directed by the Chairperson of FARA.

Program Development Unit

The Program Development Unit (PDU) facilitates and catalyzes actions and actors in natural and social sciences, as well as processes and mechanisms in technology generation and adoption, policy and institutional reforms, and market access and agricultural trade. The PDU aims to add value and increase the efficiency of African agricultural research systems through the promotion and wide-scale use of agricultural innovation systems by developing program/projects in consultation with FARA stakeholders and investors, facilitating sector-wide consultations and technical backstopping of SROs and NARS through consultancies, meetings and workshops, facilitating Africa-wide consensus building on emerging and controversial science and technology, supporting the Executive Secretary’s Unit (ESU) in developing Strategic and Medium Term Plans, and the 3-year rolling work program and collaborating with PCU in data generation and management, and monitoring and evaluation of programs/projects and activities.

Finance and Administration Unit

This unit is headed by the Head of Finance and Administration (HFA). The unit head reports directly to the Executive Secretary. The HFA is a member of the Senior Management Committee (SMC). The following sub-units are under his direct supervision.