Program Support Consultant for USAID-funded Project , Morogoro, Tanzania

The Ohio State University is seeking a consultant to reside and work in Morogoro, Tanzania and to work as part of the Project Management Unit of a large, five-year training and research project it operates for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Overview of Position

• The consultant will work with the Innovative Agricultural Research Initiative (iAGRI), a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project aims to strengthen the training and collaborative research capacities of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and the Tanzania National Agricultural Research System (NARS).
• The incumbent will report to the Deputy Project Director of iAGRI and will work closely with the Project Director and other staff persons to plan, implement, and communicate program activities of iAGRI. The consultant will work at the iAGRI project office in Morogoro, Tanzania.
• He/she will serve as program strategist and troubleshooter for current and future program activities and as IT and communications specialist for iAGRI.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Serve as co-planner and implementation troubleshooter for iAGRI programmatic activities. Identify, diagnose, and remove impediments to implementation of activities related to project's four key objectives (training, research, capacity building, and external linkage building). Impediments to be addressed include inadequate infrastructure, malfunctioning services, organizational inefficiencies, and other factors.
• Serve as troubleshooter and consultant for iAGRI workshops. Before events, work closely with the project's technical staff who are coordinating workshops, reviewing agenda, presenter lists, participants list, venue plans, food and beverage plans, computer and projection equipment plans to identify potential bottlenecks. During workshops, serve as consultant providing support to the workshop coordinator.
• Serve as the IT support person for iAGRI, configuring and repairing computers and printers, installing software, servicing the local area network, setting up and maintaining teleconference equipment, and providing support to project staff for an on-line system of tracking iAGRI activities. Provide IT training to iAGRI staff as requested.
• Oversee the creation and management of the iAGRI sponsored-student database. Train staff in use of the database and ensure proper documentation and field entry protocols are followed. Update the database to keep staff abreast about upcoming, important events for sponsored students.
• Assist office staff to streamline communication and planning efforts to improve efficiency and eliminate redundancy.
• Maintain a website to inform the Ohio State University Consortium about iAGRI activities. Develop a system for web posting of project policies, concept notes for new activities, and other internally shared information.

Requirements

• Bachelors or Masters degree (business or social science preferred; other disciplines acceptable);
• Two years work experience in managing programs in an organizational setting preferred;
• Minimum of one year work experience in a developing country;
• Record of improving organizational efficiency in program management;
• Advanced practical knowledge of computers, database management, wireless communications (wifi and mobile), videoconferencing, routers, computer operations related to digital photography, and experience providing computer assistance to others;
• Excellent writing, speaking and communication skills;
• Substantial knowledge of economic and social development issues in low-income countries and a passion for helping to alleviate poverty;
• Sensitivity to and respect for cultural differences.

Terms

The consultant will be engaged through a personal services contract with a term of nine months with potential for renewal. The work location is at the headquarters of iAGRI in Morogoro, Tanzania. A round trip air ticket, housing allowance, and health insurance allowance will be provided. Any taxes owed will be the responsibility of the consultant.

Send letter of application describing why you are interested in this position, how you are qualified, and how serving in this position relates to your long-term professional and personal objectives; CV; and names and addresses of three references to Nathan Mishler at mishler@iagri.org or P.O. Box 3114, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania.