Assistant Admin Officer at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture - 2 Positions

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Assistant Admin Officer. This position is funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD-SC).

Job Title: Assistant Admin Officer - 2 year renewable contract - 2 Positions

Position/Responsibilities
The Administrative Assistants will work as members of the SARD-SC project team in Nigeria.

Primary Duties:

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to the Scientists and other member of staff.
• Prepare documents using the Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)
• File management and handling of administrative issues.
• Keep records of support staff and other schedules of scientists records using appropriate record-handling methodology
• Liaise with other units in order to perform assigned tasks and to ensure that objectives and set goals are achieved
• Perform general office administrative duties
• Handle incoming mail, collection, distribution as well as mailing as directed
• Assist in organizing meetings
• Organize and maintain archive for each scientist and his team
• Maintain records of casual and consultant contracts, expense claims and work schedule
• Prepare and assist in material procurement and track purchase orders as requested
• Manage general office assets including requisition, storage and distribution of stationery items Manage scientists schedules (travels, leave-days, etc) and assist with meetings and training logistics
• Prepare Oracle Requests (Travel Authorizations, work-orders etc) and follow up to logical end.
• Manage scientists schedules (travels, leave-days, etc) and assist with meetings and training logistics
• Attend to telephone calls and e-mail corresponded as directed
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the scientist to whom support is being provided

Qualification, Experience and Skills

• B.Sc /HND in Management or Business administration from a reputable
• Minimum experience of 3 years in a similar position
• Basic knowledge of Accounting.
• Good organization and planning skills with effective time management skills.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks and work under pressure
• Excellent computer skills - Microsoft Office packages.
• Knowledge of immigration and visa procedures
• Knowledge of work processes in international organizations
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural setting
• Team player

General information: Initial appointment is for two years. Subsequent renewal of the contract will be decided based on research outputs and productivity, and continued need for the position.

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

Application Closing Date:
28th May, 2013

Method of Application
Interested applicants should forward their applications with detailed curriculum vitae, the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include either the Head of applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior officer at work and evidence of current remuneration package and photocopies of credentials, to IITA Website.