PROJECT COORDINATOR

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality livestock science, communications and capacity building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development. ILRI is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ILRI has campuses in Kenya (headquarters) and Ethiopia, with other offices located in other regions of Africa (Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, Vietnam) and East Asia (China). ILRI also manages Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA)-ILRI Hub, a new centre for excellence in modern plant and animal biology in Africa. It consists of a Hub based on the ILRI campus in Nairobi, Kenya and a network of regional nodes and other affiliated laboratories and organizations throughout the region. The BecA-ILRI Hub facilitates, hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments in science offer promise to address previously intractable problems constraining Africa’s development. Capacity building is a major goal of all activities. The scope covers agriculture and food security and their intersections with human health and nutrition, and the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources. Further information is available at http://hub.africabiosciences.org/
The BecA-ILRI Hub seeks to recruit a Project Coordinator whose focus will be to manage and coordinate a new large scale collaborative project between Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia, and the Biosciences eastern and central Africa – International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub. The Australian Government has announced its intention to provide generous support through CSIRO for a new Partnership with the BecA-ILRI Hub. The Partnership will support a program of biosciences research and development and related capacity building over four years (2010-2013). The overall goal is to improve food security by using the application of modern science to increase the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems in Africa. This is an international appointment reporting to the BecA-ILRI Hub Director.

Job Purpose

The Project Coordinator will be expected to manage allocation of project resources and connect the project team to each other and to key stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

1. Facilitate communication and liaison
o Develop and maintain strong relationship relationships with research collaborators
o Facilitate project team communication.
o Manage day to day interactions with partners and provide timely and appropriate information.
o Develop appropriate mode of communication channels with the general public
o Oversee planning, structure, evaluation and reporting of major project meetings

2. Monitor milestones
o Create, implement, monitor and revise work plans and timelines for project activities.
o Project planning, review and evaluation
o Coordinate formal reporting for project

3. Coordinate internal operations
o Managing internal processes on behalf of project team
o Ensure compliance to organizational policies

4. Manage project accounts
o Review monthly financial accounts, forecasts projections and submit monthly financial reports.
o Transfer funds to collaborators and consultants
o Coordinate financial reporting

5. Support BecA-ILRI Hub Director
o Manage day to day administration of the projects in accordance to organizational policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in biological sciences (e.g. molecular biology, plant breeding, human nutrition or animal health) with at least 5 years post doctoral experience.
• Experience in development and implementation of project monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Experience in dealing multiple stakeholders at regional and international level.
• Evidence of ability to foster outcomes and impacts from research.
• Experience in fostering teamwork and collaborative cross disciplinary approaches.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, budget preparation, organizational, planning and Human resource management skills.
• Interest in international agricultural research and development
• Ability to work well as part of multidisciplinary teams
• Strong communication skills with excellent written and spoken English.
• Competent skills in data collection, management and/or analysis and Ms Office applications.
• Ability to work independently in a range of environments and situations

Post location: The position is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya with extensive travel within the region and internationally.

Terms of appointment:

Duration: 3 year appointment with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding.

Salary: USD 50,000 -75,000 per annum. The position is Scientist/Research Level 2 or 3, (dependant on relevant experience).

Benefits: ILRI offers a competitive international remuneration and benefits package which includes: Pensions Medical insurance, Life insurance and allowances for;
Children’s Education, Housing Security, Disturbance, Relocation, Home leave travel and annual leave entitlement of 30 days per annum plus 11 paid public holidays.

Please quote PROJECT COORDINATOR-PC/BecA/11/10 in the Subject line.

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