Latest Jobs at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Ref. No: DDG-CS/H/IT/OM/08/22
Location: IITA Headquarters, Ibadan, Nigeria, with requirement to travel to other Stations in Africa

Job Description

• We are looking for a highly experienced IT Operations Manager, with excellent interpersonal skills, knowledge of IT operations, proven ability to lead a team, and relevant work experience in an international, multicultural organization or company, with experience in Africa, ideally with Nigeria experience.
• The Head, IT Operations Management will be responsible for overseeing and directing the daily activities of the institute’s IT Enterprise Infrastructure, Telecommunications Operations and related services; ensuring that systems, services, and enterprise infrastructure work reliably and securely.
• The Head, ITOM will lead the teams of professionals who develop and implement enterprise networks, telecommunication, and server infrastructure; proactively responding to user helpdesk requests; monitoring and ensuring systems stability, security and performance; and contribute to the overall strategic direction of innovations and improvements of the unit’s service operations.
• The Head, IT Operations Management reports to the Deputy Director General for Corporate Services.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the ITOM Unit of IITA.
• Oversee the IT operations and supervise the enterprise infrastructure, systems, service delivery and IT professionals.
• Develop strategies relating to the institute’s IT enterprise infrastructure – computer and information systems, security, and telecommunications systems.
• Drive the overall IT infrastructure and operations strategy, objectives and optimization.
• Establish procedures, standards and guidelines for selection, integration, implementation and support of information technology systems and processes in the Unit.
• Plan and implement information security systems in the institute; which include preventive, detective and corrective interventions, documentation and investigation of security breaches and other cyber-security incidents; to optimize the institute’s IT security.
• Lead the information and Cybersecurity CoP in the institute, ensuring a secured information technology environment and user awareness on security threats and trends.
• Oversee and coordinate all technical activities of the IT Site Officers at the Stations/Hubs across the institute; ensuring that best practices and standards are strictly adhered to as mapped to the HQ.
• Oversee the Datacentre and information technology resources ensuring that access/privileges and activities follow the institute’s IT security policy.
• Supervise system maintenance, high-level support of the operating systems and relative software and mobile communication components.
• Oversee hardware configuration and administration, event, fault and performance management, systems management, and configuration management.
• Guide the development and maintenance of operational documentation (ITOM related); while also testing and implementing disaster recovery plans.
• Coordinate and manage the IT backup and disaster recovery plan, process and implementation.
• Oversee, advise and where necessary coordinate all IT and technical setup, processes of the IITA’s Radio project.
• Implement advice, directives and other job-related duties as may be assigned by the line Director.
• Consult with stakeholders throughout the institute to identify business and technology needs to optimize the use of information technology within the institute.
• Oversee IT procurement activities (ITOM); while ensuring that the procurement processes and team adhere strictly to the policy of the institute and national guidelines.
• Oversee the Unit’s finances, including chargebacks, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Review IT (ITOM related) audit processes and reports, implementing recommendations where and when necessary and applicable.
• Motivate team members and communicate career and job expectations; plan, monitor, evaluate and review job contributions of ITOM staff.
• Ensure capacity development and currency of knowledge with respect to state-of-the-art technology, trends and security standard, equipment, and/or systems in the Unit.
• Participate as a member of the Institute Risk Management Committee, ensuring that all identified IT related risks are adequately accessed, and control measures are implemented where and when necessary.
• Work together with CGIAR Digital Services Department staff and other relevant staff of the CGIAR on IT Operations Management related matters, policies, and regulations.
• Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have:

• A Master’s Degree or MBA in Computer Science/Information Technology or related field.
• Professional certifications in Server & Network Management, Security certifications, Service Management certifications, Datacentre Management and IT Risk and Compliance certifications.

Core Competencies:

• Relevant work experience of at least 10 years, with at least 6 years in a leadership function in an international, multicultural organization or company, with experience in Africa.
• Experience with a knowledge of Microsoft Server technologies management (Wins 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019 Servers), Linux Administration (Ubuntu, RedHat, Oracle-Linux, Solaris etc.), Storage systems management, Cloud services, Layer-2&3 Network switches Management and designing and Network Security Management.
• An innovator with experience in up-to-date IT security systems, and excellent knowledge of IT security protocols and procedures.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with Gender, Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) awareness and understanding.
• Service oriented, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, being able to deal with the fine line between keeping users to observe set IT procedures and standards while providing supportive IT services.
• Committed and reliable, and having the ability to remain calm under pressure and in challenging situations.
• Knowledge of basic accounting and finance principles.
• Excellent critical/analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Terms

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years.
• IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

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Ref. No: DDG-CS/HS/08/22
Location: IITA Headquarters, Ibadan, Nigeria, with requirement to travel to other Stations in Africa

Job Description

• We are looking for a highly experienced security expert, with excellent interpersonal skills, knowledge of security systems and operations, having security intelligence contacts, with relevant work experience in an international, multicultural organization or company, with experience in Africa, ideally with Nigeria experience.
• The Head of Security will be responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff, visitors, and stakeholders in IITA locations in Africa, and in Nigeria in particular and providing guidance for security operations in the stations; establishing and enforcing minimum operating security standards through security policies and procedures; supervising the security guard force directly in Ibadan and through the Station Administrators and Security Officers for other locations; and monitoring security operations across the Institute.
• The Head of Security reports to the Deputy Director General, Corporate Services.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the Security Unit of IITA.
• Plan, direct, or oversee security activities to safeguard IITA employees, guests, or others on IITA property against injury or death, molestation, harassment or intimidation, and safeguard IITA assets against loss or damage from any preventable cause including fire, theft, embezzlement, damage or destruction, trespass, espionage, or sabotage.
• Analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement.
• Write or review security related documents, such as incidents reports, proposals and tactical or strategic initiatives.
• Initiate appropriate strategies for security and safety.
• Implement an effective fire prevention protocol.
• Identify, investigate, or resolve security breaches and lead the search/investigative team.
• Monitor security policies, programs, or procedures to ensure compliance with internal security policies, licensing requirements, or applicable government security requirements, policies, and directives.
• Oversee the development of security systems for the protection of facilities, personnel, data, and assets, using a combination of management skills and specific security system knowledge
• Set up video surveillance, alarm systems and install access control devices.
• Patrol building, ward off intruders and supervise parking procedures.
• Prepare country security plans, crisis management plans, business continuity plans, emergency evacuation plans for IITA stations in Africa and relocation plans for stations within Nigeria.
• Develop and implement a secure journey management system.
• Build institute-wide contacts to create an effective network that provides intelligence and safety and security conditions including managing the relationship with SOS International, security agencies, and heads of community around IITA campuses.
• Conduct security orientation and brief for staff members and inform and educate staff members on current security situations.
• Plan security for special and high-risk events, and VIP visitors.
• Motivate team members and communicate career and job expectations; plan, monitor, evaluate and review job contributions of Security Unit staff.
• Ensure capacity development of security professionals, including out-sourced security professionals, in security rules and procedures.
• Develop the budget for the Security Unit’s operations and implement an efficient and effective cost spending and recovery system.
• Initiate the order for security -related supplies and equipment as needed.
• Participate in IITA Audit Committee and Risk Assessment Committee and others as requested to ensure IITA operates on best practices and is prepared to overcome security risks.
• Work together with CGIAR staff on security related matters, policies, and regulations.
• Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have a Master’s Degree or MBA, with a Security Operations Management Diploma or comparable from a recognized university.

Core Competencies:

• Relevant work experience of at least 15 years, with at least 6 years in a leadership function in an international, multicultural organization or company, with experience in Africa, ideally with Nigeria experience.
• Having proven security background.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Possessing the skills to deal with the fine line between asking people to observe security procedures and standards, while providing tactful services, to keep them safe.
• Committed and reliable, and having the ability to remain calm under pressure and in challenging security situations.
• Knowledge of basic accounting and finance principles.
• Excellent critical/analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion (GDI) awareness and understanding strong cultural awareness.
• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills; working knowledge of French would be an advantage.

Terms

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years.
• IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

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Ref. No: DDG-CS/H/SC/08/22
Location: IITA Headquarters, Ibadan, Nigeria, with requirement to travel to other Stations in Africa

Job Description

• We are looking for a highly experienced supply chain/ procurement expert, with proven ability to lead a team, an excellent grasp of customer relationship management principles, concepts, and practice, and with relevant work experience in an international, multicultural organization or company, with experience in Africa, ideally with Nigeria experience.
• The Head, Supply Chain will be responsible for managing and providing leadership to the supply chain team, backstop the hub and station staff, develop, review and monitor strategic and operating plans to ensure that IITA has the appropriate resources and current data to support forecasting business and projected growth and to develop models to determine and validate business strategies.
• The Head, Supply Chain reports to the Deputy Director General, Corporate Services.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the Supply Chain Unit of IITA.
• Provide leadership and direction on all supply chain activities across IITA.
• Review update and facilitate the implementation of IITA supply chain policies, procedures and SOPs.
• Implement the overall supply chain strategy as set out in the strategic plan in line with delivering ongoing value.
• Implement and improve on already developed key performance indicators across the whole supply chain, which drives value in line with the balanced scorecard approach.
• Manage the supply chain operations within Ibadan namely, procurement, stores and shipping.
• Integrate IITA country offices in Africa into overall supply chain management concepts.
• Provide leadership and direction in the creation of regional hub supply chain management functions.
• Manage the UK international procurement office (IITA UK Ltd.) as self-sustaining and self-financing part of IITA.
• Implement ongoing supply chain training programs and initiatives to significantly upgrade the capability of staff, the unit and stations.
• Coordinate, assign, monitor the work of individuals involved and engaged in supply chain related duties.
• Oversee institute-wide management of the strategic sourcing, procurement, contracting and evaluation of services.
• Coordinate the operations planning process including supply/demand forecasting, inventory management and on time delivery.
• Develop and implement up-to-date new systems, best practices, due diligence, inventory control, demand planning and other optimization to improve services and prepare further growth of the institute.
• Facilitate the education of IITA staff on supply chain and procurement best practices and procedures.
• Communicate career and job expectations; plan, monitor, evaluate and review job contributions of Supply Chain staff.
• Ensure capacity development with respect to state-of-the-art supply chain knowledge, standards, and (IT and other) systems in the Unit.
• Develop the budget for the Supply Chain Unit’s operations and implement an efficient and effective cost spending and recovery system.
• Participate in IITA Audit Committee and Risk Assessment Committee and others as requested to ensure IITA operates on best practices and is prepared to overcome risks related to supply chain matters.
• Work together with CGIAR Procurement Department staff and other relevant department staff of the CGIAR on procurement related matters, policies, and regulations.
• Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have:

• The candidate should have a minimum of Master’s Degree or MBA, with Purchasing and Supply Diploma or comparable.
• Professional certifications and affiliations from Purchasing and Supply Management Institutes.

Core Competencies:

• Relevant work experience of at least 15 years, with at least 6 years in a management or leadership position, in an international, multicultural organization or company, with experience in Africa, ideally with Nigeria experience.
• Proven ability to lead teams, and excellent leadership and people management skills, with Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion (GDI) understanding and strong cultural awareness.
• Sound knowledge of logistics and international trading practices.
• Sound performance measurements management in line with pre-set key performance indicators.
• Experience in the specifics of donor funded projects in relation to procurement.
• Possessing a track record of achievements and a proven ability to manage the vendors/ suppliers base to reduce lead time and cost sustainably.
• Experience with supplier relations in the areas of negotiating, due diligence, contracting, etc.
• Possessing the skills to deal with the fine line between keeping customers to observe set supply chain/ procurement procedures and standards while providing supportive services.
• Knowledge of basic accounting and finance principles.
• Excellent critical/analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Terms

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years.
• IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

go to method of application »

Ref. No: DDG-CS/H/SS/08/22
Location: IITA Headquarters, Ibadan, Nigeria, with requirement to travel to other Stations in Africa

Job Description

• We are looking for a highly experienced Software Systems Expert, with excellent knowledge of and skills in Software Systems Engineering & Architecture, Data Engineering, Business Intelligence (BI) and Modern Data Warehousing, and relevant work experience in an international, multicultural organization or company, with experience in Africa., ideally with Nigeria experience.
• The Head, Software Systems will be responsible for overseeing and directing the daily activities of the institute’s Software Systems, ensuring that these systems work reliably and securely.
• The Head, Software Systems will lead the teams of professionals who develop, maintain and monitor software systems, ensuring systems stability, security and performance.
• This position contributes significantly to the institute’s digital transformation efforts in building modern data platforms for deriving insights from data for strategic decision making, and in translating complex ideas and processes into sustainable technical solutions.
• The Head, Software Systems reports to the Deputy Director General for Corporate Services.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the Software Systems Unit of IITA.
• Take the overall responsibility of all the Software Information Systems at IITA, and prioritize, supervise, and coordinate the development of all software systems in the institute.
• Oversee the enhancement and management of institutional enterprise systems such as Oracle Financials, Human Resource Systems, Payroll, etc.
• Manage and coach team members in the unit, in all technical areas including areas of Admin Applications, SharePoint, Intranet, Internet, commercial packages for point solutions, etc.
• Develop a strategic direction and guide the choices on the enterprise systems that the institute uses.
• Oversee the audit and documentation of all information systems that the institute uses.
• Take responsibility for ensuring software requirements are well captured, testing of software products is comprehensively done, training is appropriately planned and executed, and software is systematically maintained.
• Oversee the procurement of any software solution that is needed within the institute.
• Participate in IITA IT Audit Committee and Risk Assessment Committee and others as requested to ensure IITA operates on best practices and is prepared to overcome risks that could disrupt Software Systems.
• Guide the development and maintenance of operational documentation (Software Systems related); while also testing and implementing disaster recovery plans.
• Oversee and coordinate all technical activities of the Software Systems Site Officers at the Stations/Hubs across the institute; ensuring that best practices and standards are strictly adhered to as mapped to the HQ.
• Consult with stakeholders throughout the institute to identify Software System needs to optimize the use of information technology within the institute.
• Oversee the Unit’s finances, including chargebacks, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Motivate team members and communicate career and job expectations; plan, monitor, evaluate and review job contributions of Software Systems staff.
• Ensure capacity development and currency of knowledge with respect to state-of-the-art technology, trends and security standard, equipment, and/or systems in the Unit.
• Work together with CGIAR Digital Services Department staff and other relevant staff of the CGIAR on software systems related matters, policies, and regulations.
• Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have:

• A Master’s Degree in Computer Science / Information Technology, Software Engineering or related field.

Core Competencies:

• Relevant work experience of at least 10 years, with at least 6 years in a management or leadership position in an international, multicultural organization or company, with experience in Africa.
• Knowledge of Software development lifecycle/methodologies. Ideally a project management certificate.
• High level skills in customizing and managing enterprise systems, particularly with Oracle ERP.
• Experience in managing multiple simultaneous IT projects, possibly with conflicting resource needs.
• Demonstrable knowledge of IT architectures and platforms, e.g., related to Java, SharePoint, intranet.
• Experience in software engineering, particularly systematic requirement analysis, testing, and user acceptance management.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with Gender, Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) understanding and strong cultural awareness.
• Service oriented; being able to deal with the fine line between keeping users to observe set IT procedures and standards while providing supportive IT services.
• Knowledge of basic accounting and finance principles.
• Excellent critical/analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Fluency in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Terms

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years.
• IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.