Project Coordinator at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Duties

• Consult with the TDGG principal investigator and project lead, and undertake the day-to-day running of dairy genetics gains activities in Nigeria.
• Assist the TDGG Pl to ensure the effective and flexible coordination and implementation of TDGG activities in Nigeria.
• Undertake high-level pitching and coordination of related national dairy cattle identification, performance recording, and genetic evaluation initiatives, in consultation with the ILRI Country Representative.
• Provide training, mentorship and supervision /support to the program Site Coordinators (SCs).
• Coordinate and undertake joint initiatives with TDGG and relevant public-private actors to support breeding service delivery (i.e. Artificial Insemination).
• Deliver program activities in the country in close collaboration with key actors in dairy-sector development, particularly the Federal Ministry of Livestock and the State and Regional Directorates, to ensure strong and effective linkages between TDGG and major dairy industry stakeholders. With the full knowledge of the Program’s Principal Investigator (PI), TDGG’s program lead, and Country PI, maintain regular and effective communication between the TDGG – The country partner teams and the ILRI project team to ensure the quality and timeliness of project deliverables.
• Observe the project schedules and timescales, liaise with the country Pl and ILRI to ensure project documents (financial, technical and meeting reports, and feedback) are prepared in accordance with the agreed schedules and within timescales.
• Coordinate and prepare timely and quality documentation/implementation reports to be submitted to ILRI, including contributing to the packaging of feedback to farmers. Support development and implementation of the agreed work plans and maintain records on technical and financial aspects of project operation, including project activities and their outcomes, as well as minutes, decisions and recommendations from meetings and workshops.
• Ensure that all partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders are appropriately and timely informed and involved in the program activities.
• Provide links to all existing and potential stakeholders/collaborators by being proactive, responsive, and effectively dealing with program-related concerns/issues.
• Ensure effective dissemination of knowledge and insights gained, learnings as well as tools and methodologies to program stakeholders and the broader audience.
• Identify potential related activities to which the planned program activities would be synergistic and communicate/share with the Program Management Team (PMT) for further action.

Requirements
Qualifications:

• MSc in the Agricultural field (animal breeding or animal production), Science in animal production or Veterinary Medicine with a minimum of eight (8) years’ experience performing a similar role in a well-structured environment.

Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:

• Possess experience in managing and or supporting commercial livestock business.
• Execute the design and evidence-led implementation of dairy businesses.
• Manage the delivery of improved livestock seed systems in Nigeria and the Western Africa region.
• Demonstrate Good judgement, adaptability and willingness to take initiative when appropriate.
• Maintain excellent interpersonal communication abilities and strong personal organisation skills.
• Develop Experience in drafting and managing work plans, results-based budgets and systems to monitor and report progress.
• Utilize GitHub or other version control systems.

Benefits

• We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.