Programme Management Officer in IFPRI-ESARO

Vacancy Number: A/023/14
Institute: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Duration: Two years contract

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks to recruit a Programme Management Officer its Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) Division in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

General: IFPRI is one of the international agricultural research institutes organized under the CGIAR Consortium. The mandate of IFPRI is to identify and analyze alternative national and international strategies and policies for meeting world food needs in ways that conserve the natural resource base, with emphasis on low income and on the poorer groups in the countries. With a vision for a world free of hunger and malnutrition, IFPRI’s mission is to provide sustainable solutions for ending hunger and reducing poverty.

Specific responsibilities:

• In consultation with Office Head, oversees office administrative functions and directly supervises a number of office support staff including performance management, work planning and reviewing of job descriptions;
• Participates in office management and staff meetings, serving as Secretary and ensuring follow-up on action items;
• Provides leadership and management of all aspects of the administrative unit and ensures that office systems run efficiently and in a coordinated manner;
• Reviews administrative functions, structures and procedure and makes recommendations for changes, and oversees their implementation;
• Supports the Office Head and other research staff in recruitment and engagement of consultants;
• Maintains updated staff/supervisor list and organizational chart;
• Develops efficient filing systems and databases for print and electronic files/documents;
• Coordinates receiving and assisting of visitors;
• Coordinates local and international travel, meetings and workshop logistics and subsequently verifies related expense reports;
• Coordinates purchase/ requisition and distribution of office furniture, equipment, stationery, and other office supplies;
• Supports the preparation of local payment and consultant requests as necessary;
• Manages office equipment such as the printer/copier and coordinating maintenance of offices, office furniture and standard equipment such as computers, printers, phones;
• Reviews and drafts documents (e.g. concept papers, proposals and reports) to check conformity to agreed templates, and consistency with project objectives, work plans and/or milestones;
• Assists staff in proposal preparation consistent with investor/donor requirements;
• Progress report preparation and overall assistance to the Office Head, maintaining a tracking system to monitor milestones and status of deliverables in work plans, notify staff of impending due dates and assist in organizing/coordinating workshops/conferences, and assist visitors;
• Follows up with related project staff and others to ensure that all projects are properly closed on completion;
• Assists Office Head and Accountant in the preparation of budgets, including budgets for overall office operations and individual projects/programs;
• Works closely with IFPRI Accountant and ILRI Finance to ensure correct budget codes are communicated and used for charges, and that financial reports conform to IFPRI and donor/investor guidelines/formats.

Skills and competences

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Programme Management or related field.
• At least 5 years relevant experience in programme management working in international research/development or similar organizations.
• required for this job (communication, report writing, computer skills etc.)
• Knowledge of administrative/financial management of donor funded projects/programs;
• Experienced in developing and managing work plans, results-based budgets and monitoring and reporting progress and reviewing proposals;
• Proven skills in monitoring and evaluating systems to measure impact and effectiveness of programs;
• Experience in coordinating programmes with numerous partners;
• Team player with good communication and coordination skills;
• Attention to detail is essential;
• Professional training / certification in project management an advantage.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa.

Grade: 3A

Minimum Base Salary:    Birr 22,045 (Negotiable, depending on experience, skill and salary history of the candidate)

Terms of appointment:  This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position, initial appointment is fixed term for two years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. The ILRI remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc. The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.  Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and reference number: REF: A/023/14 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com on or before 29 April 2014.