The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Research Operations Manager
Job Ref. No.: IITA/P&C/NRS2026-012
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Job type: Contract
Duration: 1-year renewable contract
Duties
Laboratory Operations and Systems Management:
- Design, implement, and enforce laboratory-wide operational systems, including SOPs, workflow tracking, and service delivery standards.
- Lead laboratory transition and infrastructure readiness, ensuring zero disruption to services.
- Establish and maintain ISO 17025-aligned processes, documentation, and quality control systems.
Inventory and Resource Management:
- Implement and oversee a digital inventory management system with real-time tracking.
- Define and enforce reorder thresholds and stock control protocols.
- Conduct weekly inventory audits and ensure alignment with planned analyses.
Team Coordination and Accountability:
- Define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations across laboratory functions.
- Implement a centralized task-tracking system with full visibility of workflows.
- Lead structured weekly planning and performance review meetings.
- Enforce accountability through system-based performance tracking.
Equipment and Asset Management:
- Maintain a comprehensive equipment register, including lifecycle and replacement plans.
- Track equipment usage, downtime, and maintenance schedules.
- Ensure routine calibration and preventive maintenance aligned with quality standards.
Financial Management and Cost Recovery:
- Establish and maintain cost-per-analysis models across all laboratory services.
- Integrate sample tracking, analysis, and invoicing into a single traceable workflow.
- Monitor monthly financial performance, including revenue, costs, and deficit trends.
- Provide recommendations on pricing, cost optimization, and service prioritization.
Client Service and Laboratory Credibility:
- Define and enforce realistic turnaround times for all analyses.
- Establish standardized client communication protocols.
- Monitor client satisfaction and implement service improvements.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:
Track and report on key performance indicators:
- Turnaround time
- On-time delivery rate
- Equipment uptime
- Cost per analysis
- Revenue and deficit trends
- Use performance data to inform operational improvements.
Scientific Contribution and Knowledge Generation:
- Provide technical input into experimental design and data interpretation.
- Support development of publications, reports, and scientific outputs.
Training, Mentorship, and Capacity Development:
- Supervise and mentor interns, students, and junior staff.
- Ensure compliance with SOPs, safety, and quality standards.
Requirements
- MSc in Food Science, Nutrition, Analytical Chemistry, Crop Science, Plant Breeding, or any other related field with demonstrated laboratory experience with a minimum eight (8) years’ of relevant experience in laboratory operations, including systems management and team supervision.
- Additional training in laboratory management, operations, or quality systems. ISO 17025, IPAN certification, Laboratory Quality Management, Project Management certification, CGIAR or international agricultural research systems are added advantage.
Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:
- Laboratory systems design and operational management.
- Financial and cost recovery analysis.
- Inventory and workflow management.
- Leadership and team coordination.
- Quality assurance and compliance (ISO-aligned).
- Data-driven decision-making.
- Strong stakeholder communication.