Latest Jobs at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

About This Role

• The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has received financing from the African Development Bank toward the cost of Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Phase II and intends to apply part of the agreed amount of this grant to payments under the contract for TAAT Program Coordinator and Head of TAAT Program Management Unit (PMU) Consultant, who will be based in IITA Headquarters Ibadan, Nigeria.
• The services included under this assignment are to provide leadership in the overall implementation of the Regional Technology Delivery Infrastructure (RTDI) of the TAAT Program.
• Head the PMU in the implementation of financial and fiduciary, administrative, and reporting activities of the program.
• The selected consultant will be the Head of the TAAT PMU, based in Ibadan, Nigeria.
• The consultant will report to the IITA Deputy Director General (DDG) Partnership for Delivery and Scaling, who will grant all approvals for travels outside the base location.
• The assignment will commence in December 2025, for an initial period of one year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and fund availability from the donors.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership on the various elements (PMU, CH, PSC, and Compacts) of the RTDI of the program.
• Oversee the day-to-day implementation of all program’s administrative and monitoring activities undertaken within the PMU.
• Ensure that the TAAT program work plans and budgets are prepared and submitted for review and approvals by the Bank within agreed deadlines.
• Collaborate closely with the Head of the Program Clearinghouse.
• Organize the timely transfer of program resources to the various institutions leading the Commodity value chains and Enablers, as well as to partners with implementation sub-grant agreements.
• Coordinate the compilation and review of Quarterly and Annual Technical and Financial reports for timely submission to the Bank.
• Enhance the visibility of TAAT through the communication unit.
• Oversee the preparation of TAAT Annual Corporate Report with success stories and lessons learned.
• Prepare and organize periodic program audits and ensure timely submission of reports, including follow-up on audit recommendations.
• Develop and update administrative and financial management manuals and ensure implementation across PMU and compacts.
• Ensure compliance with funding eligibility criteria and proper financial accountability by implementing institutions/partners.
• Participate in the formulation of large investment programs and development of project proposals with AfDB and other IFIs.
• Review the performance of PMU staff and consultants and make recommendations on contracts.
• Coordinate procurement planning and ensure compliance with Bank or institutional procedures.
• Coordinate all program activities including monitoring and evaluation, procurement, financial management, and review missions.
• Supervise special studies such as impact, evaluation, environmental, social safeguard, and gender studies.
• Ensure effective communication and participation of CGIAR and non-CGIAR centers in missions.
• Organize stakeholder technical meetings and workshops.
• Provide oversight on the implementation of the TAAT II Addendum from the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Coordinate recruitment of staff and consultants.
• Represent the TAAT program at various forums.
• Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Director General of IITA or representative.

Requirements

• Advanced University Graduate Degree in areas of Agricultural Development, International Development, International Relations, Economics, and/or related areas.
• At least ten years of relevant experience with multilateral development banks (e.g., World Bank, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank) or similar organizations in agriculture projects.
• Experience working with government institutions and international or non-governmental organizations in agriculture transformation and development.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines with attention to detail.
• Excellent command of the English language.
• Proficiency in French is an added advantage.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multicultural teams and demonstrate leadership in program delivery.

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Duties
Reporting, Audits and Filing:

• Prepare detailed monthly, quarterly and annual internal financial reports for supported projects and Initiatives highlighting issues on over/under expenditure, commitments and project end dates.
• Identify any incorrect entries and liaise with PM and PI for approval to pass adjusting journal entries in the system.
• Track donor reporting timelines to ensure timely preparation of reports.
• Use appropriate templates to prepare donor financial reports/statements in collaboration with PM and PIs for Finance Manager's (or designate) review.
• Raise invoices & follow-up on reimbursements and transfer advices from donors.
• Compute project accruals annually and during project close outs and ensure they are captured in the system at the right accounting period.
• Identify projects to be audited at least four months before scheduled start date and liaise with Finance Officer for planning.
• Work closely with internal and external auditors in facilitating effective project audits by availing required documents and responding to queries (in collaboration with the Finance Officer) to ensure all issues are resolved and clean (unqualified) report provided.
• Maintain proper financial records of projects - both soft and hard copies.
• Perform other post-award functions in relation to receivables and payables reconciliation, budget revisions and project closeout functions.

Collaborators Support and Accounting:

• Prepare projects payment requests for partners in collaboration with Project Manager (PM) and Project Leaders.
• Ensure project partners' financial reports are received on time and sample supporting documents are requested and reviewed for compliance with contractual obligations.
• Support in building the capacity of partners to enhance compliance to ILRI and donor guidelines.
• Make necessary follow-ups to ensure timely payments to collaborators and ensure transfer advices are shared.
• Enter partner expenditure in Agresso and ensure relevant supporting documents are uploaded.

Budgeting and Proposal Development:

• Provide advise, especially in unit costs etc. towards development of proposal budgets.
• Prepare proposal budgets for review by PM and Project Leader before submission to Finance Manager.
• Support PM during institutional budgeting.
• Share project budgets (in recommended format) for uploading on Agresso.
• Review BvA reports frequently and share proposals for budget adjustments.

Review of Staff and Consultant Payments:

• Review travel advance requests for compliance with ILRI policies.
• Review travel expense reports to ensure that supporting documents (attendance lists, payment lists, per diem calculator, trip reports, original receipts etc.) are attached.
• Ensure the validity and accuracy of all submitted receipts by periodically sampling receipts/payments and clarifying sampled expenses with vendors/ payees.
• Review consultant ToRs to ensure all proposed payments are legitimate and fully supported and making the necessary entries in the financial system.
• Prepare reports on status of project staff and consultant accounts for P(g)Ms review.

Qualifications

• MSc Degree in Accounting, Finance, or other relevant fields of study with a minimum of six (6) years’ experience performing similar role in a well-structured environment.
• Professional certifications such as ACA, ACCA, CPA is required.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Have a strong command of Microsoft Office suite.
• Have strong attention to details.
• Have knowledge of Computerized accounting software, preferably Agresso.
• Have experience in Project Finance Management.