Career Opportunities at International Potato Center (CIP)

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit a dynamic and experienced Program Specialist.

The Position: The Program Specialist will provide program support for the implementation of Development and Delivery of Biofortified Crops at Scale (DDBIO) program. He/she will be responsible for providing administrative support to the global program team, organizing regional meetings; events and backstopping the efforts of admin assistants in the program’s implementing countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda). This position reports to the Program Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day to day administrative support to the DDBIO global team;
• Provide logistical support as needed (appointment, meetings, travel arrangements);
• Assist with program related communications (appointments, reports, booking meeting rooms / venues and equipment etc.);
• Assist in developing meta data, uploading, updating and dissemination of DDBIO publications and communication products on to various platforms including the CGIAR space, social media, project microsite etc.;
• Coordinate travel arrangements and logistical support - including the handling of travel requests and liquidations for visitors and program staff, accommodation, and arranging for meals for the project events;
• Backstopping the efforts of the admin assistants in the program’s implementing countries (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda) to effectively execute similar duties and support country teams;
• Compile workshop presentations, preparation of meeting materials for participants and maintaining and improving mailing lists
• Maintenance of office filing system (manual and electronic) including backup, archiving and storage;
• Assist in procurement and payment of bills;
• Handling maintenance of office assets and keeping an inventory of equipment and supplies;
• Assisting with the preparation of cash position and bank reconciliations and regular financial reporting;Selection Criteria
• At least a first degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Economics or other related discipline;
• At least CPA section 4 or ACCA level 2;
• A minimum of 5 years of finance and administration experience in a busy environment;
• Familiarity with grants, contracts and risk analysis;
• Experience as an executive assistant desirable;
• A team player accustomed to working with multi-cultural and diverse teams
• Proficient in MS Office, especially in Excel
• Advanced Knowledge in software solutions (ERP)
• Advanced qualitative and quantitative analytical skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write project and financial reports;

Why should you consider this opportunity?

CIP is a global and reputable international organization that has a strong, state-of-the- art R&D background, and is a recent World Food Price Winner and awarded with the Al-Sumait Award for our Orange Flesh Sweet Potato work in Africa.
CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved nutrition and well-being, and gender equality for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world.
CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a network of 15 research centers that are mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members. What are the conditions?

The position is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position limited to Kenya nationals and permanent residents only. The employment contract will be for a one-year term (with a 3- month probation period) and the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

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This position is required to help establish MEL in new large research and development projects at CIP. The MEL Manager will ensure that CIP’s Sweetpotato Program implements high quality MEL systems and practices that are aligned to broader CGIAR systems and make use of latest versions of tools and platforms for accuracy, efficiency and consistency. The remit of the position will evolve over time in response to the development of MEL systems within CIP and the wider CGIAR. It will at least initially have a focus on establishing MEL in new large research and development projects and will coordinate MEL specialists across other projects to ensure one programmatic MEL process. The position will report to the global MEL Manager and will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and regularly update a detailed MEL plan for the sweetpotato program aligned to the program’s results framework, work plans and donor expectations. Ensure that this MEL plan is well embedded in CIP and CGIAR MEL systems and can support accurate, efficient and consistent reporting;
• Design and regularly review output and outcome indicators to ensure they capture meaningful data and do so accurately and effectively. Identify any adjustments needed to indicators or data collection methods and propose these for consideration by program leadership and PI’s.
• Oversee and supervise implementation of the MEL plan for all program activities and liaise with other sweetpotato project MEL staff for peer review to ensure consistency in MEL implementation. Identify training needs and contribute to staff training and mentoring.
• In coordination with relevant CIP teams, ensure that equipment and tools for MEL implementation are available where and when needed including during regular monitoring and during special surveys.
• Contribute to program reporting by preparing MEL reports in a timely and competent manner as advised by the Program Leader and PI’s. Mentor junior staff in the preparation of MEL reports;
• Participate in program planning and review meetings and evaluations, as well as in CIP and CGIAR wide MEL team discussions and development activities.

Requirements

• MSc in a relevant field such as economics. Specific recent training in Monitoring and Evaluation (and Learning) is required;
• Excellent and up-to-date understanding of current MEL methodologies, tools, and practices;
• Excellent understanding of indicators and their implementation methods in the area of agriculture and nutrition as defined by major international donors such as USAID, DFID, EU, and BMGF;
• At least 7 years of hands-on experience leading the MEL component of programs funded by international donors;
• First-hand experience of MEL approaches and methodologies in the CGIAR or other international research organizations is an advantage;
• Excellent leadership and communication skills to promote effective collaboration within and across project teams.