Ref No: DDG-R4D/MES/EA/01/15

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Project Coordinator and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist, East Africa Hub.

IITA is an international non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization established in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our R4D approach is anchored on the development needs of the tropics. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

Position/Responsibilities:

This position will report to the director of the IITA Eastern Africa Hub and leader of the social science research group. The successful candidate will work closely with the project leader for the “Fast-tracking Access to Popular and Improved Varieties of Root Crops by Small Holder Farmers” project. This project which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and led by the Sugarcane Research Institute, Kibaha (Tanzania) will pilot a new model of disseminating sweet potato and cassava varieties to small holder farmers in Tanzania and Uganda. A key goal of the project is to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of the model so that donors and governments can scale it up. This position will be responsible for generating evidence from the project. The successful candidate will also work with the project leader to translate evidence into policy action for the governments of Tanzania and Uganda and potential donor.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• In collaboration with implementing partners, design a theory of change (TOC) for the project
• Develop an M&E plan that links project implementation to the TOC.
• In collaboration with implementing partners, develop and agree on key outcome indicators to track and use in the impact evaluation.
• Monitor project implementation activities, with a close eye on efficiency and quality of delivery in both Tanzania and Uganda.
• Provide periodic update to project leader about project implementation.
• Design and manage an impact evaluation for the project. There is a strong preference to use a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) approach if possible.
• Commission and manage all data collections efforts including, baseline, mid-line surveys, and end line surveys in both Uganda and Tanzania..
• Commission and manage data cleaning and analysis.
• Publish findings from RCT and translate RCTs finding into policy briefs.

Coordination Support

• Represent IITA at project activities and key stakeholder meetings.
• Write briefs and report for IITA on the status of project and help IITA create synergies with other IITA projects in the two countries.
• Provide support to the project leadership team to coordinator and manage  implementation activities.
• Provide support to the project leader to write annual progress reports to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Assist project leader to translate grant results and evidence to actionable policy proposals for the governments of Tanzania and Uganda.
• In collaboration with implementation partners, draft presentations and advocacy tools for the grant
• Provide additional implementation support when needed.

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a minimum of a master’s degree in economics, statistics, public policy, agricultural economics or similar discipline with at least 3 years of experience.

Core Competencies:

• Detailed knowledge of Randomized Control Trials and other impact evaluation techniques
• Experience in designing and implementing large scale data collection and household surveys
• Experience in analyzing and interpreting statistical data 
• Experience in using CAPI tools such as ODK, Surveybe, Survey Solutions etc…
• Experience in managing strategic relationship with critical partners, especially donors in the agricultural development sector
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience with working and interacting effectively with a variety of stakeholders (farmers, extension workers and other service providers, public and private sector entities, national programs), and demonstrated ability to collaborate well across disciplines and with key collaborative institutions and agencies
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Knowledge of farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa
• Knowledge of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Agricultural Development Program and MLE strategy.

Desirable:

• Self-starter who will thrive in a start-up setting by taking ownership and initiative
• Strong technical skills in M&E
• Outstanding project management skills
• Excellent spoken and written English and
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

Duty station: The position will be based at the IITA in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania but will involve extensive travels to Uganda, within and outside Africa. 

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three years with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Applications: Applications must include covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, 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 Head, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers      

Closing Date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.