Ethiopia: Project Manager

We are seeking an experienced, results-oriented and self-motivated professional for the position of Project Manager to strategically lead four projects implemented in Eastern Africa, and to grasp the complexity of the projects’ needs using his/her project management skills to make an impact and deliver positive outcomes. The selected candidate will be a member of the CIMMYT’s Conservation Agricultural Program, and will contribute to a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org

The position will be based at CIMMYT-Ethiopia office in Addis Ababa, but will involve regular travel to field sites in the target countries.

Specific duties of this position include:

• Establish and maintain contact with donor key staff and represent the projects to government, private sector, NGO and CGIAR partners.
• Liaise with CIMMYT headquarters: GCAP and other programs involved in projects, HR, finance department and PMU.
• Take the lead in annual planning of project activities and compile the annual work plans.
• Manage the projects' work plans in CIMMYTs Project Management System (RMS) and ensure timely updating of tasks in RMS by team members.
• Facilitate preparation of subgrant agreements with HQ and revise financial and technical reports on subgrants for PL approval.
• Ensure M&E&L is carried out in accordance with donor requirements, maintain a database of M&E information, lead the compilation of indicator data for technical reports and ensure the capture of knowledge and lessons learned generated by the project.
• Draft, consolidate and edit technical reports in collaboration with team members and the project leaders.
• Ensure appropriate project budget upload and budget revision based on project work plans.
• Extract project budget on a monthly basis and provide feedback to the project leader; review transactions for appropriate charging, identify and problems and ensure that these are dealt with.
• Administer recurring expenses in collaboration with accounting.
• Make realignment of budgets in collaboration with the PL, the donor and HQ when needed.
• Facilitate staff recruitment and staff time allocations by programs.
• Make procurements for the projects and manage project assets and inventory.
• Perform other duties as directed by the supervisor.

We are seeking candidates with the following academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:

• Master's Degree in Business Management, Public Administration, Project Management or related field.
• At least 3 years of proven experience in Project Management, including knowledge of theories, practices and procedures within the discipline.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar is desirable.
• Substantive (at least 4 years) experience in conceptualizing M&E/ME&L in research and development.
• Experience in managing R&D projects, preferably in agriculture.
• Experience in International Agricultural Research and/or Development.
• Ability to communicate effectively internally and externally with different staff members at different levels.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications (advanced Excel, MS Project, and/or other database applications).
• Proven ability to organize and coordinate complex tasks and strong self-motivation and innovation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural environment and good communications skills.

The position is for an initial fixed-term contract 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 airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

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.

To apply for this position, please email cover letter and CV no later than Friday, 19 June 2015 to Human Resources, CIMMYT (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate position reference number: 15819 in the header of your email).In your application, please specify where you saw this position advertised.

For further information on the selection process, please contact Esther Mendoza Ramos, at e.m.ramos@cgiar.org

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.