Project Manager

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit aProject Managerto support research within the Animal and Human Health Program to provide project management and coordination support to the program, including co-ordination of personnel, field research logistics, project partner co-ordination, donor interaction, documentation of research deliverables, budget management and other key outputs.
ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa.Www.Ilri.Org
Responsibilities
The assignment shall entail:
1. Program reporting and administration
Plan the project cycle for grants, including defining timelines and deliverable endpoints for all project work packages in conjunction with the relevant Principal Investigators (PIs) and Program Manager.
Work with academics and students in the project to plan, organize and implement field data collection and laboratory activities.
Co-ordinate project components with other members of the project team, on behalf of the PIs.
Pro-actively work with all project team members to ensure work plans are documented and on track and to identify problems before they arise, ideally achieved through regular (every 2 weeks) meetings with each of the project teams to oversee ongoing activities and catalyse the solving of any issues.
Implement and maintain projects database systems for lab and field data collection
Take primary responsibility for ensuring project data are collected appropriately with the support of project Principal investigators.
Manage existing online collaborative tools and contribute to the creation of new ones / or revise existing ones based on lessons learnt.
Maintain a contacts database for all project staff, students and visiting academics.
Maintain the project output repository in liaison with the ILRI communications staff in the Animal and Human Health program (for open access on theILRI repository).
Write monthly summary reports for dissemination to all project members, summarizing project progress and progress in meeting project targets.
Travel internationally as required, for example to funder meetings overseas or programme-wide meetings in any country proposed by the funders.
Act as a liaison between the project and other aligned research activities in ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program as well as within the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health and CGIAR Research Program on Livestock.
Develop and maintain a Risk register and assist the PIs in managing risks to projects timely delivery.
Ensure compliance of all projects through Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC), Institutional Animal Care and Use committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety / Biosecurity committee (IBC) etc.
2. Budget management
Work with the program accountant and institutional program managers to oversee, plan and track the project budget.
Partner institutes have their own budgets (for staff expenditures), but the post holder will be responsible for tracking expenditure across all partner institutes.
Ensure timely sharing of budgetary information with senior budget staff.
Follow up with ILRI finance department to ensure disbursement of funds to partners.
Assist the Program Accountant in the monthly routine accounting duties.
Oversee day to day project field expenditure.
In consultation with the PI and co-PIs, draft annual reports to the donor/funder.
Manage stores supply/ordering with external suppliers and maintain up to date inventories of supplies and consumable shipping, including tracking budgetary allocations for these project activities.
3. Communication
Act as a primary point of contact for all issues related to the projects. This will include being the contact person for the project’s primary stakeholders, with whom a long running positive relationship should be established.
Meet regularly with project stakeholders (facilitated through the ILRI co-PIs).
Support communication by coordinating communication with project partners, including government officials, collaborators and local administrators.
Develop and implement a project internal communication strategy, including ensuring that all project meetings are recorded and logged (in collaboration with the communication specialists in the ILRI Animal and Human Health program).
Organize conferences, workshops, science write shops, internal and external meetings, project annual retreat and quarterly meetings, and other events as required in liaison with the program admin staff.
Participate actively in annual project meetings, some of which will be held internationally.
Contribute to the online presence of the project, including maintaining project website, twitter feed and newsletter in collaboration with the Communication specialist.
Plan and oversee logistics for project meetings (internal/multi-partner).
Requirements
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Program Management or related field
Project Management certification – desirable
Professional training or demonstrable practical experience in leadership and project management.
At least 5 years relevant experience in project management working in an internationally focused research or development organization.
Knowledge of administrative and financial management of development programs and/or donor funded projects/programs.
Experience in managing work plans, results-based budgets and systems to monitor and report progress.
Strong English language skills, both written and spoken. French language skills will be an added advantage.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an engaging personality.
Experience with science communication will be an added advantage.
Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment.
Strong IT skills.
Experience with data entry in electronic databases will be an added advantage.
Experience of working with epidemiology and public health researchers will be an added advantage.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with interdisciplinary teams of scientists and partner organizations.
Ability to communicate with different stakeholders.
Ability to handle electronic data entry and data management.
Willingness to travel outside of Kenya (regionally in Sub-Saharan Africa, and perhaps overseas).
Post location:
The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya
Terms of Appointment
This position is at job levelHG 15and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes pension, medical and other insurances.
How to apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Developmentthrough our recruitment portalby clicking on "
Apply Now"
on or before 2 May 2024.The position title and reference numberREF:
AHH-PM/1385/2024shouldbe clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.
We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites athttp:
//www.Ilri.Org/
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