Tanzania Interim Country Project Coordinator/Administrator

Interim Country Project Coordinator/Administrator (Consultancy)

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Interim Country Project Coordinator/Administrator.

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.

As part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative to address global hunger and food security issues (www.feedthefuture.gov), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting multi-stakeholder agricultural research projects to sustainably intensify key African farming systems in the Sudano Sahelian zone of West Africa, the Ethiopian Highlands, and Eastern/Southern Africa. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is the lead institute for developing and implementing the project in Eastern/Southern Africa together with a wide range of partners. This research project focuses primarily on cereal-based farming systems in Dodoma and Manyara region of Tanzania but is intended to result in spill-over effects in other similar agro-ecological zones in neighbouring countries.

IITA is seeking an experienced consultant in project coordination and administration to set up the project office and facilitate the implementation of the research activities.

The consultant will report to the Project Coordinator and Director for East Africa.

Responsibilities

· Set up the project office in Arusha, including supervision of renovation if needed

· Manage project office in Arusha until Administrator is hired.

· Assist in procurement of project vehicles, office equipment, and other assets.

· Assist in recruiting project support staff for Arusha office

· Supervise IITA project staff based in Arusha

· Support the financial management of the project

· Assist in preparation of project documents needed for implementation

· Contribute to the biannual reports to the donor

· Contribute to the development of a project communication strategy

· Act as main liaison officer amongst IITA, USAID country mission, national and international project partners, and other R&D initiatives

· Facilitate visits to project sites by USAID, project coordinator, and any other official visitors

· Facilitate program meetings and organize annual planning and review meetings

· Carry out any other duties assigned by the Project Coordinator or Regional Director

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a MBA, MSc in Planning and Management, or in a related field.

Core Competencies:

· Proven skills in coordination and management of large multi-stakeholder projects.

· Proven skills in supervision and leading staff.

· Demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships in a cross-cultural environment.

· Excellent social skills, a collaborative style , proactive and innovative attitudes.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

· Knowledge of CGIAR administrative procedures is an advantage.

Duty station: Tanzania, most likely Arusha

General information: Estimated consultancy duration: 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012

Applications: Applications including curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager.

Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/irs-online-application

Closing Date: 20 March 2012

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.