POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS - EXTERNAL Project Manager The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Vac. No.: A/009/2015 17 March 2015
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) seeks to recruit a Project Manager for its Wheat Seed & Surveillance Project in Ethiopia. The staff will be a member of CIMMYT at its office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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: The purpose of Project Manager position is to support project leader to facilitate informed decision making and effective project management.
Supports Project Leader to facilitate informed decision making and effective project management,
Drafts, consolidates and edits technical reports and new proposals in collaboration with team members and Project partners.
Monitors project budget in close collaboration with project leader and accountant,
Collects, collates and maintains databases of M&E information, project results, milestones and deliverables from Project partners
Ensures appropriate project budget upload and revision, based on project work plans
Extracts project budgets on a monthly basis and provide feedback to project leaders; review transactions for appropriate charging and identify problems
Adjusts budgets between project members for effective use of resources
Assists in procurement and management of project assets, inventory and other resources
Reviews financial reports prepared by accounting and reconcile
Subcontracting: Execute subcontracts ensuring full compliance to established policies and processes implemented by the IP Unit
Distributes information to project team,
Archives project information into CIMMYT’s Research Management System,
Measures and monitors the ongoing project activities,
Monitors the project variables (cost, effort, scope, etc.) against the project management plan and the project performance baseline,
Summarizes and follow up on reports that come in from project members; prepare technical reports as needed,
Identifies corrective actions to address issues and risks properly,
Manages change control in the project: Influence the factors that could circumvent integrated change control so only approved changes are implemented,
Conducts knowledge capture and document lessons learned,
Monitors and reports on utilization of budget and commitments accurately and in a timely manner to facilitate informed decision making. This includes: ensure appropriate project budget upload and revision, based on work-plan; extract project budget on a monthly basis and provide feedback to project leader; review transactions and detect problems, and obtain Project Leader’s review and endorsement for capital purchases,
Monitors and evaluates contributions by team members to facilitate performance management and appraisals,
Ensures effective deployment resources,
Reviews reports prepared by accounting and reconcile,
Executes and monitors subcontracts ensuring full compliance to established policy and process,
Oversees the procurement and management of assets, inventory and other resources,
Performs other duties as directed by supervisors.
Research Management System (RMS):
Manages directory structure and Project documentation in the RMS,
Manages Project details in the RMS; inform other units in case they change,
Assists Project Leader and Members in developing and uploading Project Schedule and work plan,
Assists Project Members in the SMART formulation of Deliverables and Outputs,
Advises Project members on how to upload data and information in the RMS,
Manages access privileges in consultation with Project Leader and Program Director,
Assists Project Leader in closing out projects including knowledge capture and lessons learned,
Organizes Project workshops; develop minutes, reports or conclusions, and follow-up on decisions related to Project.
Job Requirement
Minimum Requirements and Desirable Skills: Education:
Masters’ Degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics or related fields,
Experience:
At least 5 years of relevant experience in a national/International Organizations,
Experience in the management of agricultural R&D projects; basic working knowledge / understanding of agriculture and agricultural sciences,
Experience in proposal development.
Skills and Competencies:
Advanced knowledge of relevant administrative and/or operating protocols and policies of the function,
Possess basic managerial competence,
Proficiency in English, with excellent written / oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills,
Proficiency in MS Office suite and advanced internet skills,
High level of cultural sensitivity to understand the needs of all staff and partners. High level of responsibility and discretion and ability work under pressure. Effective team leadership.