Project Assistant at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

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 Project Assistant at its station in Abuja.

Job Title: Project Assistant (2-year renewable Contract)

Location: Abuja

Responsibilities
The project assistant will help the pilot manager in coordination of the AgResult Aflasafe project

The ideal candidate will among other things:

• Provide project updates and share relevant information on a regular basis.
• Visit implementing partners and conduct mission to field as necessary in consultation with Pilot Manager.
• Provide administrative and logistic support to the Project Office.
• Assist with special projects and reports as needed.
• Establish and maintain the project’s information management system.
• Provide logistical support for all project training, seminars and workshops.
• Provide assistance to participating organizations and facilitate market linkages,
• Prepare tracking documents for meetings, and update tracking tools regularly.
• Facilitate collection and samples of data by the technical team.
• Assist and make appointments with project stakeholders, including logistical arrangements and secretarial assistance when needed.
• Follow up with the implementing partners for progress report, submission of reports and recent data on target group and other information material.
• Review data and information generated by the Projects’ implementing partner and prepare information materials for briefing and review sessions.
• Such other duties, properly assigned and as may be occasioned by the exigencies of the service.

Qualification
Minimum of HND/BSc. in Agriculture, General Sciences or related field.

Experience

• Domain-specific Agriculture knowledge and experience – e.g., smallholder maize production, commodity value chains, aflatoxin contamination and efforts to control aflatoxin.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement (including private sector) and participant management.
• Experience or knowledge of community or rural development approach.
• Knowledge or experience in market sector, agribusiness, civil society organizations, to maximize participation in and publicity of the pilot.
• Proven organizational, planning and budget management experience.
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment
• Excellent project management, interpersonal, and team building skills.
• Preferably Hausa speaking.

 
Key deliverables/outputs

• The Project Assistant is expected to support the successful delivery of the project implementation plan, produce quarterly pilot updates and report against this plan which specific focus on the quality assurance of the implementing partners

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

Application Closing Date:
20th June, 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.

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