Programme Management Officer

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) seeks to recruit a Programme Management Officer who will be responsible for the overall administrative, financial, human resource and program management within CIMMYT-Ethiopia office.

General: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an autonomous, non-profit making, international scientific organization operating under the aegis of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). More specifically its mission is to encourage, support and undertake activities to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat systems in the interest of the resource poor in developing countries.

Main duties & responsibilities:

• In consultation with country representative, oversees all administrative functions and supervises support staff including performance management, work planning and reviewing of job descriptions;
• Supports CIMMYT Country Representative and research staff in the preparation of technical and financial reports of projects including annual project performance indicators reports;
• Participates in management / monthly staff meetings, serving as secretary and ensuring follow up on action points;
• Provides leadership and management of all aspects of administrative unit ensuring the office systems run efficiently and in a coordinated manner;
• Reviews the regional office administrative functions, structures and procedure and makes recommendations for changes, and overseas their implementation;
• Supports the Country Representative and 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 local and international travels, 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, records and ensures proper use of office equipment such as the printer/copier and coordinating maintenance of offices, office furniture and standard equipment
• Reviews and drafts documents or reports to check conformity to agreed templates, and consistency with objectives, work plans and/or milestones;
• Progress report preparation and overall assistance to the country representative and research staff, 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;
• Assists Country Representative in the preparation of budgets for overall office operations and individual projects/programs;
• Overseas monthly financial reports and ensures its conformity with CIMMYT’s financial policy and reporting requirement;
• Works closely with ILRI Finance to ensure correct charging of CIMMYT expenses, and that financial report conform to CIMMYT and donor/investor guidelines/formats;
• Coordinates staff field trips and vehicle arrangements;
• Carries inventory of assets;
• Accomplishes other assignments given by the Country Representative.

Minimum Requirements and Desirable Skills:

Education:

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Programme Management or related field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years relevant experience in programme management working in international research/development or similar organizations

Skills and Competencies:

• Professional training/certification in project management an advantage.
• Required for this job (communication, report writing, computer and electronic media 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;
• Fluency in oral and written English

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Position level: 3A.

Minimum Base salary: Birr 27,556 per month (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 for three 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/026/15should 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 31 July 2015.

To find more about CIMMYT, visit our Website at www.cimmyt.org.

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.