Project Officer at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Job Description

• The Project Officer will support the effective planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities across assigned states, communities, and other project locations, in alignment with approved work plans, project objectives, and expected outputs.
• As part of IITA’s commitment to strengthening project delivery and promoting impactful field-level interventions.
• The Project Officer will provide technical and operational support to the Project Principal Investigator (PI) in implementing activities related to climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, agroecology, conservation agriculture, soil health, improved crop varieties, seed systems, value chains, and other relevant areas.
• The role will involve coordinating field activities, supporting stakeholder engagement and community-level interventions, facilitating capacity-building and knowledge-sharing activities, and monitoring implementation progress to ensure timely and quality delivery of project outputs.
• The Project Officer will support the ICRISAT Project’s Principal Investigator (PI) in the overall planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of ACReSAL project activities.

Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Support project planning and implementation by assisting the Project PI in developing and implementing work plans, activity schedules and strategies to ensure timely delivery of project activities and outputs.
• Coordinate day-to-day project activities across assigned states, communities and other project locations, ensuring effective implementation in line with approved work plans and project objectives.
• Provide technical and operational support for the implementation of project interventions related to climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, agroecology, conservation agriculture, soil health, improved crop varieties, seed systems and other relevant areas.
• Support field-based assessments and community engagement activities, including surveys, stakeholder consultations, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and other data collection and participatory processes.
• Facilitate collaboration and engagement with relevant stakeholders, including government institutions, research and extension organizations, communities, farmer groups, NGOs, seed enterprises, private-sector actors and other project partners.
• Support the establishment, implementation and monitoring of field interventions, including demonstration plots, training plots, nurseries and other project-supported activities.
• Coordinate and support capacity-building and knowledge dissemination activities, including Training of Trainers (ToTs), stakeholder trainings, farmer trainings, field days, agricultural shows and other project events.
• Support project activities related to value chains and seed systems, including the identification and prioritization of marketable Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), engagement with seed companies and community seed enterprises, and other relevant capacity-strengthening interventions.
• Any other duties assigned by PI and ICRISAT’s Country Representative to Nigeria
• Conduct regular field monitoring and follow-up to assess implementation progress, identify challenges and risks, document lessons learned and provide timely feedback to the Project PI.
• Collect, compile and maintain project data and documentation, including activity reports, monitoring data, attendance records, photographs, field observations and other supporting evidence required for effective project management and reporting.
• Prepare regular progress updates and contribute to project reporting and knowledge products, including technical reports, presentations, briefs, success stories and other documentation required by ICRISAT and project partners.
• Ensure compliance and effective communication by supporting implementation in accordance with approved work plans, budgets, institutional policies, ethical and safeguard requirements, maintaining regular communication with the Project PI, and performing other relevant duties assigned in support of the successful implementation of the ACReSAL project.

Requirements

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Forestry, Agroforestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Agricultural Extension or a closely related discipline. A Master’s degree with at least 2 years’ experience will be desirable.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in agricultural development, climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, seed systems, natural resource management or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-location agricultural or rural development projects.
• Experience working with farmers, communities, government agencies and development partners.
• Experience in conducting field surveys, FGDs, KIIs and stakeholder consultations will be an advantage.
• Good understanding of agricultural systems and rural development challenges in Northern Nigeria.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze project data and generate actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Knowledge of climate-smart agriculture, conservation agriculture, agroforestry and/or seed systems will be highly desirable.
• Experience in organizing farmer trainings, Training of Trainers, field demonstrations and field days will be an advantage.
• Experience in project monitoring, data collection and technical report writing.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Willingness to travel as required for project-related activities and client meetings.

Duration and Location of the Assignment:

• The consultancy is expected to last for a period of six (6) months. The assignment will be based in Kano, Nigeria.