The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Our award-winning research for development (R4D) addresses the development needs of tropical countries. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture.
We are a nonprofit organization founded in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported by several countries.
Our mission is to enhance food security and improve livelihoods in Africa through research for development (R4D).
We use the R4D model in setting a research course that addresses major development problems in Africa rather than simply contributing to scientific knowledge. It has proven to be an effective mechanism for agricultural research development. We and our partners have delivered about 70% of the international research impact in sun-Saharan Africa in the last three decades.Duties
Assist in conducting daily scouting/desk review of donor websites to identify relevant calls and funding opportunities.
Support the preparation and processing of administrative documents (e.g., Letters of Support, Letters of Intent) required for submission with proposals, concept notes, or expressions of interest.
Assist in coordinating the completion of proposal summary forms, as needed.
Provide support to ensure that all project closure processes and related activities are effectively implemented.
Review project agreements proactively to ensure compliance with established systems and procedures related to project close-out requirements
Develop and maintain a tracking system to monitor and follow up on the administrative closure of projects.
Collaborate with Project Managers and the Finance Directorate’s Assets Officer to facilitate reconciliation of project close-out inventory lists
Follow up with Project Managers and teams to ensure timely completion of project close-out checklists and submission of all required documentation.
Follow-up with donors to obtain formal letters acknowledging or certifying the satisfactory completion of projects.
Circulate internal communications to notify relevant stakeholders of the formal administrative closure of projects.
Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure smooth information flow and alignment with the unit’s project closure objectives.
Coordinate with relevant units and teams to ensure proper administrative closure of projects.
Provide active support to the Head of Unit in driving continuous improvement of project close-out processes.
Assist to ensure timely uploading of all close-out documentation to the designated database.
Perform any other job-related tasks as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications
HND / BSc Degree in Business Administration, Agricultural Science and any other related courses.
The ideal candidate must have minimum of 4 years’ experience in a multi-cultural organization, performing similar role in a well-structured environment.
Competencies
The ideal candidate must:
Have excellent Communication in English, both written and verbal.
Be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as other relevant computer applications.
Demonstrate good understanding of agricultural-related terminologies and concepts.
Demonstrate exceptional client service orientation, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
Have strong stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills.
Have effective team collaboration skills.
Have analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Be able to multitask and deliver high-quality results within tight deadlines.
Be Flexible and adaptable, with the capacity to manage uncertainty and adjust to evolving work programs.
