State Project Officer - Bayelsa at AfriLabs

Job Role

• The State Project Officers will support the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities at the state level for the Aggregator projects. The role will ensure smooth liaison between project stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the project team while supporting timely delivery of project objectives.

Responsibilities:

State coordination and Implementation support

• Develop and manage state-level and institution-level implementation workplans.
• Serve as the primary focal point for all project activities within the assigned state and institutions.
• Support day-to-day coordination of programme activities at each Centre of Excellence.
• Facilitate communication between AfriLabs HQ, ESOs, and institutional stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment of local activities with overall project plans, phases, and timelines.
• Coordinate with the AfriLabs central team on approvals, escalations, and strategic updates.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with polytechnic/university management, faculty, and administrative units
• Support coordination with ESOs operating within assigned institutions
• Liaise with relevant state government agencies, MDAs, NBTE, NUC, and local partners
• Organise and facilitate meetings, workshops, stakeholder validation sessions, and reviews
• Build and maintain relationships with the broader state innovation and education ecosystem

Monitoring and Supervision

• Monitor implementation of training, innovation, and entrepreneurship activities at each CoE
• Track ESO performance against agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs
• Identify implementation bottlenecks and escalate issues for resolution
• Conduct regular site visits, verification exercises, and programme audits
• Ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguard requirements

Data Collection and MEL support

• Collect, verify, and validate programme data (enrolment, attendance, completion, outcomes)
• Support implementation of MEL tools, reporting templates, and indicator tracking systems
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of data to the central AfriLabs MEL team
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and evidence files for reporting and audit readiness
• Support periodic programme evaluations and data quality assessments

Operation Logistics

• Coordinate training sessions, workshops, innovation challenges, and programme events
• Facilitate venue arrangements, technical equipment, and participant logistics
• Manage training materials, supplies, and programme documentation at the CoE level
• Support onboarding and orientation logistics for new programme participants

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare and present weekly field updates, monthly activity reports, and quarterly progress inputs at weekly check in calls
• Document activities, outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned
• Contribute to programme-level reports, readiness assessments, and evaluation frameworks
• Maintain a well-organised filing system (digital and physical) for all programme records

Community Engagement & Visibility

• Drive awareness and outreach activities within the state to attract programme participants
• Engage students, youth, women, and local communities in programme activities
• Promote inclusiveness, gender equity, and youth participation across all target groups
• Support AfriLabs’ communications team with field stories, data, and visibility materials

Academic Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Development Studies, Project Management, or related field  
• Professional certification (PMP, PRINCE2) is an added advantage  

Experience 

• 2–5 years of experience in project coordination, programme implementation, or development work  
• Experience working with universities, government agencies, NGOs, or donor-funded projects preferred  

Skills 

• Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills  
• Excellent communication, reporting, and documentation skills  
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities  
• Ability to manage multiple institutions and field activities  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools  
• Ability to work independently in field-based environments