Project Development and Administration Advisor at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

• The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on behalf of African Agricultural Leadership Institute (AALI) seeks suitable applicants for the internationally recruited position of Project Development and Administration Advisor.
• The Project Development and Administration Advisor will be responsible for providing project administration and advocacy communication support to programs to effectively achieve Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda particularly among its political leadership and for its women and youth beneficiaries. The successful candidate will provide administrative support for the smooth implementation of projects, development-related tasks, processes, partnership coordination, regular monitoring, and program reporting. The successful candidate will ensure project compliance with AALI’s operational policies and systems and work collaboratively with AALI’s Experts, Finance, HR, Communications, and Regional Teams.

Position Responsibilities
Project Development & Administration

• Oversee program operations for operational effectiveness and efficiency. Ensure various actions during project start-up/initiation, implementation, and close out are compliant with donor rules and regulations
• Provide technical support to the overall project management, grants management, budget development, work planning, including the day-to-day operation, including but not limited to Feed Africa and African Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit programs
• Oversee the ongoing operational processes for grants in collaboration with the Managing Director, ensuring that grants are processed accurately in accordance with AALI policies and procedures. Process and manage Grant Agreements, Sub-grant Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), Memoranda of Agreement (MoA), Hosting and Country Agreements as well as No-cost Extensions
• Participate in the preparation of inception, progress, summary and narrative reports, financial statements and ensure timely submission to donors
• Manage/coordinate the preparation of funding proposals, including writing sections of proposals and budget development for a broad range of donors
• Work closely with the MDU, regional and country teams on anticipating and mitigating programmatic and organizational risks related to program development, design of new projects, implementation, and closure.

Technical support to strategic initiatives

• Support the President of AALI in developing and implementing regional advocacy strategies, ensure that country priorities relating to soil health initiatives are integrated into appropriate documents and plans.
• Contribute to review and analysis of policy issues in the context of agricultural transformation agenda for informed decision making by regional countries members. Coordinate and consolidate the necessary inputs (methodologies, recommendations, lessons learned and impact) for donor reporting on projects
• Support the building and management of strategic partnerships and collaborations essential for the successful delivery of AALI Projects.
• Organize and provide substantial support to regional workshops, conferences, and country team meetings, including developing agenda, identify participants, prepare presentations and meeting documents
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the President of AALI

Requirements
Educational qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration or related discipline and a certificate in project management

Specific experience required:

• A minimum of five years’ work experience in a relevant project management role in an international organization or research environment is required
• Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating multiple programs and projects at the same time
• Experience with budget management
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with an ability to consistently maintain good working relationships, and work effectively in a team setting
• Administratively self-sufficient and strong computer skills with advanced proficiency with MS applications, and a willingness to learn additional software and systems as required
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills including the ability to prioritize and multi-task work
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills
• Ability to write clear and concise reports
• Strong capacity for working through collaboration and partnerships
• Good problem-solving skills, demonstrates resilience and initiative when faced with challenges
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in multi-cultural environments