Project Coordinator

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Project Coordinator.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food-secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

The Project Coordinator will support the coordination of work planning, reporting, activity and event implementation aimed at delivering outputs and impact under the Sustainable Farming Program, Area of Work 5 and for IITA’s efforts with the Digital Transformation Accelerator. The position will also assist coordination of activities under the African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO).

Position Responsibilities

A. Sustainable Farming Program

· Assist with AoW5 work plan development, validation and replanning as needed.

· Assure follow-ups and monitor progress in accordance with the work plan.

· Coordinate AoW5 annual reporting: gather information and evidence towards deliverables from AoW5 team members and coordinate with MELIA.

· Serve as liaison linking AoW5 PAASS, the data ecosystem, and MELIA work.

· Support the PAASS lead in AoW5 in the coordination of the diverse partnership platforms of the SFP

· Follow up on quarterly progress by AoW5 team members.

· Report AoW5 deliverables in PRMS and assist in developing narrative reports as needed.

· Attend AoW5 meetings as needed.

B. Digital Transformation Accelerator

· Support IITA’s work plan development, validation and replanning as needed.

· Assure follow-ups and monitor progress in accordance with the work plan.

· Coordinate annual reporting for IITA: gather information and evidence towards deliverables from team members and coordinate with MELIA.

· Follow up on quarterly progress by IITA team members.

· Report IITA deliverables in PRMS and assist in developing narrative reports as needed.

· Attend, and document appropriate DTA meetings as needed (e.g., quarterly progress meetings for IITA’s DTA activities; DTA “extended team” meetings).

C. African Union Soil Observatory (AUSO)

· Support IITA’s work plan development, reporting and partner coordination under WPs 5 and 6.

· Support logistics of data collection and management as needed

· Support training of partners on data collection

D. Cross-Cutting Activities

· Design digital data collection tools to maximize fairness and provide support in improving data collection forms (format and content).

· Assist in streamlining data collection across IITA and partner projects by supporting organization of folders in ONA and the File Manager and providing administrative support for these.

· Support IITA and its partners on FAIR data management, through trainings, demos, user testing and other relevant activities.

· Coordinate the development of data management tools including by organizing meetings with developers, and contributing to tool development and use through feedback and iterative testing.

· Contribute ideas and support for the assembly and implementation of common data management and analytics infrastructure in close collaboration with key personnel across projects and programs.

· Help liaise between users and developers providing input, user support and user tests to improve tools, approaches, and developing guidance / user resources as needed.

· Support knowledge management and tool demos/testing, helping to develop, organize, and coordinate communications activities and trainings/events (e.g., webinars, meetings, workshops).

· Help format communication support and information products (e.g., presentations, websites, posters, documents, and factsheets).

· Any other tasks that may be assigned by the supervisors.

Requirements

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should possess a Master’s degree in Agronomy or a related discipline, with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in agricultural research, project management, and open and FAIR data management.

Core Competencies

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience working with International Research Organizations, with prior CGIAR experience.
• In-depth knowledge of the ODK data collection tool, FAIR and AI-ready data and associated tools.
• Experience working with a variety of partners, including public and private sector entities.
• Demonstrated advocacy for and experience developing and using data and metadata standards, controlled vocabularies and ontologies.
• Fluency in French and English (written and spoken).
• Proven ability in communicating persuasively and developing attractive and clear communications materials.
• Excellent skills with programs like Word, Excel, Power Point, including expertise with GPTs and similar AI tools.
• Dedicated and self-motivated, with strong soft skills, attention to detail and maintaining a timely and efficient workflow.
• Demonstrated ability to work gracefully under pressure, and with a high level of respect for confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality products on time.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment like CGIAR.

Benefits

Duty Station: France, Montpellier

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of two years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in US Dollars.

Applications: Applications must include a cover letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Director of People and Culture. Please complete our online application form using this link: https://referrals.workable.com/iita/jobs/6138746

Closing Date: 16 October 2026

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women.

While all applications will be acknowledged, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.