Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Description
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.
For more information, visit cimmyt.org.
CIMMYT’s Dryland Crops Program (DCP) seeks a dynamic, self-motivated, and service-oriented professional Project Manager. She/he will manage one or more projects, initially our Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) Breeding (VACS-Breeding), and seed systems (Seed Equal) projects. VACS Breeding focuses on developing and widespread adoption of “opportunity” crops that contribute to climate resilience, crop diversification, soil health, nutrition, and livelihoods of African farming communities.
Seed Equal supports CGIAR breeding programs to benefit farmers by linking with seed and grain markets.
The position reports to the project leaders, is based at CIMMYT’s office in Nairobi, Kenya, and will include some travel.
Specific duties:
- Responsible for the day-to-day administrative management of the assigned projects, adhering to CIMMYT’s project management standards and processes, and compliance with the project terms and conditions of contracts.
- Assist the Project Leads by coordinating planning of project activities, compiling detailed implementation (technical, budgets) reports, communications, and procurement plans, and managing, assigning, and monitoring implementation.
- Ensure timely submission of high-quality project documents (e.g., work plan, financial and technical, monitoring, evaluation, and learning reports) to the funders in collaboration with CIMMYT’s Donor Relations and Fundraising Support team.
- Coordinate the management of project budget, including budget allocation, review, and realignment.
- Coordinate the development and regular updating of key project documents, including project charter, work plan, budget, human resource and procurement plans, communication plan, monitoring and evaluation plan, financial and technical reports, sub-grant contracts, and project deliverables.
- With support from institutional administrative units, use CIMMYT and CGIAR databases and systems to manage information and project documents, ensuring data is securely stored and appropriately shared.
- In coordination with the DCP Program Manager, manage consultancies and sub-agreements, including issuing of contracts, liaison, quality control, disbursement of payments, and performance evaluation.
- Generate and/or ensure the production of content for the project´s communications platforms, potentially including website, news features, success stories, research notes, reports, and social media posts.
- Contribute to the supervision of administrative staff and participate in the recruitment and selection process of project administrative staff.
- Provide administrative support to the project’s steering committee and management committee meetings, technical meetings, and planning meetings, and ensure effective minute-taking and follow-up.
- In close consultation with the Project Lead, support additional resource mobilization efforts that foster project objectives.
- Establish and maintain relationships with partner representatives, while ensuring clarity about roles and responsibilities among institutions and project team members.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in a pertinent field; or bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of pertinent experience, and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification (or similar).
- At least 3 years of experience in project management of international multi-institutional projects, preferably in agriculture and low- or middle-income countries.
- Familiarity with agricultural research and plant breeding concepts is desirable.
- Good communication with excellent spoken and written English; French is desirable.
- Available to travel within Africa.
- Desire and ability to work respectfully and inclusively in a diverse, multicultural, multidisciplinary work environment.
- The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Problem-Solving, Decision making, Achievement Orientation, Communication, and Teamwork.
Benefits
This position is for an initial fixed term of (3) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.
Screening and follow-up of applications will begin on,July 24th, 2024. Applications must include a CV with contact details (telephone and email address) of 3 work-related references along with the confirmation that Recruitment can contact them) and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.