IITA Recruiting Customer Relations and Business Development Officer

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.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture seeks suitable Nigerian Nationals for the following position at the Institute’s Headquarters, Ibadan.

Job Title: Customer Relations and Business Development Officer (Hotel and Catering Unit) - 2 - year renewable contract

Duties:

Successful candidates will among others things perform the following:

• Client/Partner development through selective through soft marketing techniques/approach; that is, direct canvassing of business by meeting or mailing some selective NGO’s, Embassies, Corporate and reputable individuals.
• Carry out Customer Relations Management functions, that is: meeting customers on one on one basis, collecting customers’ feedback, analyzing them, submitting report to initiate action for correction and liaising with concerned HOD’s for implementation of corrective actions.
• Prepare and upload Calendar of events, mega events of the period on the website for the clients/partners. Coordinate banquet function sales, both internal and external by ensuring that customers are satisfied and all services are paid for.
• Monitor room reservations for both individuals and groups; also ensure that facilities in the guest rooms are functioning. Work at front office in guest check in and out and billing using Hotel reservation & billing system.
• Follow up on credit balance recovery from external customers. Submit all expected periodic reports as at when due.
• Follow all standing instructions, guidelines, customer’s etiquettes as defined for the Institute’s (International House) Hotel facilities.

Qualification and Experience:

BSc/HND in any related discipline plus 5 years relevant working experience in a Corporate Business Unit that has responsibility for customer service & business development.

Candidate must be self motivated, disciplined and have a pleasant disposition. He/She must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and must be computer literate.

He must be a good team player and should be ready to work long hours and during holidays.

Remuneration:

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

Application Deadline
31st October, 2011

Method of application:

Interested applicants should forward their applications with a detailed curriculum vitae, the names and addresses of three professional referees (including telephone, fax and e-mail addresses, if available), evidence of current remuneration package and photocopies of credentials, to the Personnel Manager, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria not later than one week (Closing date: 31/10/2011) from the date of this publication.

Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/nrs-online-application. Please note that application letters not accompanied with evidence of current remuneration and age will not be treated. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.