Project Manager for Youth Employment in Agri-business and Sustainable Agriculture ABUAD-IITA-AfricaRice IFAD Project at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Ref: DDG-P4D/PM/YE/ASA/04/19
Location: ABUAD IFAD Project Office, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Nigeria.

Background

• The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) together with Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) invite applications for the internationally recruited position of Project Manager for Youth Employment in Agri-business and Sustainable Agriculture ABUAD-IITA-AfricaRice IFAD Project.
• The Project Manager for Youth Employment in Agri-business and Sustainable Agriculture ABUAD-IITA-AfricaRice IFAD Project will have the overall managerial responsibility of the project.

Position Responsibilities
The Project Manager will:

• Provide overall project management, help to develop a strong, coherent technical vision and initiate innovative strategies across the project.
• Work together with Project Coordinator IITA and Project Coordinator AfricaRice respectively to coordinate implementation of all the project activities.
• Establish and operate a project management system and supervise program operations, personnel, M&E, and preparation of periodic written reports to IFAD.
• Design and manage interventions that aim to build capacity of youth across different components of the project.
• Identify and manage technological innovations within the project, and disseminate findings through stakeholder meetings (advocacy), print, radio and cell phone-based systems.
• Facilitate internal and external communication.
• Monitor and evaluate progress towards project milestones.
• Contribute in ensuring effective overall contract management, reporting, communications and relationship management with donor, partners and stakeholders.
• Coordinate organization of planning meetings and training workshops.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have PhD in Agriculture-Life Science related fields.

Core Competencies:

• The candidate should possess the intellectual leadership and strong management skills necessary to develop, articulate and carry out a vision for the project.
• At least 15 years relevant job experience from international organizations/NGOs/donors, preferably linked to tropical agriculture or international development.
• At least 6 years postdoctoral experience in proposal development, project management, grant management and resource mobilization.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing teams of professionals, administrative, procurement, hiring, recruitment, financial and logistical aspects of project implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the writing and publication of technical documents in relation to the project goals.
• Strong skills in team building and creating synergies between project partners and activities.
• Proven success in work relations with a wide range of partners, including financing institutions, governments, private sector, and other development actors.
• Excellent and extensive organizational and administrative skills and experience.
• Ability to work well in a multicultural setting.
• Gender awareness.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Fluency in English is required, and a working knowledge of French is a strong advantage.

General information
The contract will be for a period of three years based on performance and availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.