PROJECT PROGRAMME ASSISTANT - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Project Programme Assistant
IITA-CIP - TZ-R40-006/16-NRS-OSM

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on behalf of the international Potato Center lnternational (CIP) is seeking to recruit to recruit a Project Program Assistant to provide overall project coordination and implementation support, project financial support and oversee office administration for the implementation of for the Building Nutritious Food Baskets (BNFB) project in Tanzania

Duty Station: This is a nationally recruited position (NRS) based in Oar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
The position: The Project Programme Assistant will support the Senior Country Coordinator in the execution of the project implementation strategy, provide technical backstopping in the implementation of project activities, provide administrative and accounting services, oversee office administration and• vehicle management and provide logistical support to country based activities including communications, advocacy, seed systems and capacity building.

The Assistant will represent the Senior Country Coordinator in events as required. This position will also be responsible for organizing events, meetings and workshops, draft correspondence, take minutes in meetings, prepare reports and supervise the driver.

This position will be based in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania with extensive local travel to support project activities in the country. This position reports to the Senior Country Coordinator

Key Responsibilities:
• Support execution of project implementation strategy, and provide support balancing in the time and scope of executing projects under the direct supervision of the Senior Country Coordinator.
• Provide technical backstopping for implementation of project activities, by comprehending and seeing to it that all aspects of a project are dully attended to and completed in a timely manner.
• Provide administrative, financial and logistical support to the Senior Country Coordinator.
• Prepare monthly cash position and bank reconciliations.
• Maintain a ledger, monitor and analyse the budget.
• Liaise with the CIP Senior Procurement Officer to ensure that procurements and payments to local suppliers on behalf of the project are done expeditiously.
• Implementation of CIP policies and procedures
• Prepare regular financial reports.
• Make travel arrangements for the project team and any other project partners / visitors in the country.
• Make arrangements for meetings, trainings and workshops for the project team.
• Maintain motor vehicle fleet, service and supervise the driver.
• Record and keep inventory of office equipment supplies and maintenance of the store. Ensure disposal of assets and lost assets are properly recorded/reported
• Organize and maintain the office filing system (manual and electronic) including backup archiving.
• Handle telephone calls/faxes, receive and assist visitors to the office.

Required Qualifications I Experience

A first degree in Business Administration, Project Management or other related discipline and advanced diploma or other project management qualification.
At least CPA section 4 or ACCA.
A minimum of 3 years of finance and administration experience in a busy environment
Familiarity with grants and contracts.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write project and financial II reports.
Demonstrable presentation, training, facilitation and coordination experience.
A team player accustomed to working in multi-cultural groups.
Fluent in spoken and written English.
Willingness to travel.

General information:
The initial contract for the position is for two years: renewable subject to performance' and availability of funds. This is a nationally recruited position and 'CIP offers a competitive remuneration package.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applications: Applications including curriculum vitae, copies of certificates, telephone number, email address, and names and addresses of two referees should be sent to the Country Representative, IITA Tanzania, Plot No. 25, Mwenge - Coca-Cola Road, Mikocheni Industrial Area P.O. Box 34441, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 
Applicants are requested to please, indicate the reference number for the position as indicated on the heading of the announcement in your application as well as on the subject of your email if sending by email. lf sending by post or hand delivery, please indicate the reference number on your application as well as on the left hand side of your envelope. Please note that any applications without the reference indicated will be automatically disqualified.
Closing date: Two weeks from the date of advertisement appearing in the newspaper. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.