Project Manager at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Job Description     :    
• Coordinate an inter-disciplinary, international and culturally diverse project team; manage financial assets and ensure implementation of AfricaYam as per the project results framework and results tracker.
• Together with the project team, develop project implementation, monitoring, delivery and communication plans.
• Apply best practices and tools for project management, including budgeting, procurements, data management, troubleshooting, as well as high quality monitoring and evaluation (M&E) with support from IITA’s M&E officer.
• Manage contracts between IITA and project partners; and ensure synergy between project partners.
• Coordinate the required technical and financial reporting to the donor in consultation with project members, IITA’s Project Administration Office and the Finance Directorate.
• Organize the establishment, and facilitate the operations, of a Technical Advisory Committee and a Project Management Team.
• Coordinate organization of project events, including training/technical workshops, annual planning and review meetings, and meetings of the project’s Technical Advisory Committee.
• Support relevant partners in project execution, management and sharing of information and knowledge, and effective stakeholder participation.
• Ensure effective communication within the project team, identify shortfalls and devise contingency plans.
• Represent the project to external stakeholders at scientific and other regional meetings.
     
Minimum Qualification & Experience     :    
• The candidate should have a PhD degree in plant or agricultural sciences or other relevant discipline from a recognized university.
     
Skills & abilities     :    
• At least 10 years of post-PhD experience.
• Experience in managing multidisciplinary and international projects and demonstrated skills in team building and creation of synergies between project partners and activities
• Experience in working with a wide range of partners, including national and international research institutes, universities, development actors and farmer organizations.
• Familiarity with agriculture and farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Proficiency in the use of project management software, databases, internet-based tools and other electronic communication tools.
• Fluency in oral and written English; knowledge of French would be an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the West Africa sub-region.

Duty station: Abuja, Nigeria