Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Department: The Int. Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre-CIMMYT
Deadline: Jan 24, 2024
Job Description
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) seeks to recruit a dynamic, self-motivated, and service-oriented professional to fill the role of Project Manager who will be a member of CIMMYT Ethiopia located at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa campus.
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.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Financial Implementation: Spearhead the coordination and facilitation of sophisticated financial analysis embedded within the overarching project frameworks.
Comprehensive Project Planning: Innovate and articulate comprehensive work plans for each project, providing strategic guidance to all activities.
Efficient Subgrant Management: Oversee the efficient allocation and management of subgrants across multiple projects, ensuring stringent compliance and optimal utilization of funds.
Effective Communication Leadership: Organize and preside over project-related meetings, fostering an environment of effective communication among team members.
Progress Monitoring and Reporting: Exercise keen oversight to monitor and report on the progress of each project, ensuring alignment with overarching goals and objectives.
Authority and Oversight:
- Assign work packages to team members and approve deliverables in accordance with the Project Plans for each project.
- Provide high-level oversight to ensure the creation of project Implementation Plans and Legal Agreements.
- Develop a thorough understanding of terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of partners/stakeholders for each project.
- Ensure project outputs meet the business cases for both CIMMYT and respective partner(s).
- Supervise project administrators and/or consultants.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the day-to-day management of the projects.
- Establish contact and maintain lasting rapport with project partners, private sector, international consultants, NGOs, government, and CG partners.
- Coordinate and support scientists and their engagements, including concept note development and review, activity implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
- Manage subgrant preparation, approval process, and implementation.
- Coordinate periodic technical reports.
- Identify areas that need additional skills and, in consultation with scientists, support the hiring of consultants as needed.
Manage Budgets:
- Oversee the meticulous preparation of project budgets exceeding 4 million USD, ensuring a strategic alignment with project objectives. Upload budgets and conduct necessary revisions based on project work plans.
- Conduct monthly reviews of expenditures through sophisticated budget analytics, exploring alternative scenarios. Scrutinize transactions for accuracy, identify issues, and implement corrective actions.
- Evaluate field office liquidation reports and meticulously handle funds requests, demonstrating a keen eye for financial integrity.
- Assign budget codes judiciously for expenditures as necessary, maintaining a structured and transparent financial framework.
- Provide adept support for asset procurements and uphold accurate inventories of assets, ensuring optimal resource utilization.
- Administer and realign budgets in strict adherence to CIMMYT’s policies, fostering a robust working relationship with headquarters to seamlessly support these activities.
- Undertake any additional duties necessary to propel the strategic management aspects of the projects forward.
Academic and professional qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor degree in business administration, Public Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
- Proficient in Project Management Software (e.g., MS Project) and holds a PMP Certification or equivalent – desirable.
- Broad/specialized knowledge of methods, techniques and processes
Experience:
- A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in both corporate and non-profit environments.
- At least 6 years of experience in project management and budget oversight.
- Demonstrated experience in proposal development – desireable
Skills:
- Proficient in English, with outstanding written, oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Advanced proficiency in the MS Office suite and adept at using internet tools.
- Demonstrates a high level of cultural sensitivity.
- Effective team leadership skills with a strong sense of responsibility and discretion.
- Ability to thrive under pressure as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
- Proficient in Project Management Software (e.g., MS Project) and holds a PMP Certification or equivalent.
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Grade: HG 15
Minimum Monthly Base Salary: Birr 76,202 (negotiable based on experience, the skills and competencies of the selected candidate)
Terms of appointment: This is a National Staff (NS) position, initial appointment is for two 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 a very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc.
HOW TO APPLY
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: PM/CIMMYT/02/24 should 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 24 January 2024.
CIMMYT/ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).
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/
Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.