Project Officer Full Time

About us

By sharing knowledge and science, CABI tackles global issues like poverty, hunger, education, equality, sustainability, climate change and biodiversity. We do this by helping farmers grow more and lose less of what they produce, combating threats to agriculture and the environment from pests and diseases, protecting natural habitats from invasive species, and improving access to scientific knowledge.

CABI is an international, inter-governmental, not-for- profit organization that improves people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. Our approach involves putting information, skills, and tools into people’s hands. CABI’s 48 Member Countries guide and influence our work which is delivered by scientific staff based in our global network of centres.

CABI is committed to making a difference, playing its part in creating a brighter, more equitable and sustainable future.

You can learn more at:www.cabi.org

Background:

The PlantwisePlus Burundi project aims to empower smallholder farmers to produce more food using sustainable crop production practices, with a vision to reach 75% of these farmers across the country. The project focuses on embedding a farmer advisory approach while addressing existing weaknesses in Burundi’s plant health system. Key initiatives include integrating plant clinic network operations into the national plant health system, linking these with other advisory approaches, and mainstreaming gender-inclusive methods to enhance women’s access to plant health services. Additionally, the project will promote lower-risk pest management practices, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides, and developing the capacity to identify, test, and scale cost-effective biological control solutions for priority pests.

Purpose of the Role.

This role is essential for providing operational and administrative support to the project, ensuring that daily activities are managed efficiently. Furthermore, given the complexity of the project, which involves multiple stakeholders, partners, and field activities, the presence of a dedicated Project Officer is crucial to ensuring timelines are met, and local logistics are handled smoothly.

THE ROLE:

The Project Officer will play a crucial role in managing the complex operations of the PlantwisePlus Burundi project, which involves numerous activities that span various stakeholders such as government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, private sector partners, and farmer groups. The officer will be instrumental in ensuring the seamless organization of field activities and assisting the Country Coordinator in maintaining smooth communication between local teams, external stakeholders, and CABI’s international staff. They will be responsible for facilitating the flow of information, tracking progress, and addressing any emerging challenges that could hinder the project’s success. In addition to handling the project’s day-to-day operations, the Project Officer will manage the procurement processes, ensuring that all goods and services are acquired in compliance with CABI’s procurement guidelines and donor requirements. This includes managing vendor relationships, tracking budgets, and ensuring that resources are deployed effectively and transparently. The Officer will also oversee essential administrative tasks, such as organizing stakeholder workshops, preparing project reports, maintaining documentation, and managing logistical arrangements for project activities. Given the scope and complexity of PlantwisePlus Burundi, the Project Officer’s role is pivotal in keeping the project on track, ensuring that its ambitious objectives are met efficiently and in alignment with CABI’s strategic goals.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Support the Country Coordinator in implementing PlantwisePlus project activities in Burundi.
• Assist in the planning, coordinating, and monitoring of field activities, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
• Manage project documentation, including reports, correspondence, and project records, ensuring compliance with CABI and donor standards.
• Organise meetings, workshops, and trainings with project stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and local partners.
• Liaise with local partners and project participants to ensure effective communication and dissemination of project updates.
• Assist in the development of project reports, both for internal use and for donors, and ensure timely submission.
• Support procurement and logistics for field operations, including purchasing materials and equipment needed for project implementation.
• Ensure proper financial tracking of project activities in collaboration with CABI’s finance team.
• Assist in identifying risks to the project and reporting them to the Country Coordinator.
• Facilitate communication between the in-country team and regional/global CABI offices to align with broader project goals.

ABOUT YOU:

• A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, development studies, project management, or related field. A master’s degree is an added advantage.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in project management or coordination, preferably in the agricultural or development sectors.
• Demonstrated experience working with international organizations, NGOs, or government agencies in a similar capacity.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills, with experience managing field activities and logistics.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with various stakeholders.
• Fluency in both French and English, with proficiency in Kirundi being an added advantage.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and project management software

Personal Characteristics:

• Unquestionable integrity
• High initiative and self-driven requiring little or no supervision
• Adaptive and pro-active
• An effective, creative, innovative, and team player with the ability to work in multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, and multicultural environment.

ROLE DETAILS:

Grade: HAY Band 4

Reporting to: Country Co-ordinator

Direct reports: None

Key peer group: Finance Officers, Project officers, Project support Officers.

WHAT WE OFFER:

We aim to recruit and retain passionate people with the necessary skills, knowledge, and commitment to help us achieve our mission. Our benefits are designed to make our lives easier, improve our work-life balance, save money, and safeguard our well-being.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

We are a thriving international organisation that attracts a diverse range of talented people worldwide. Our staff currently comprises over 30 nationalities. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or marital status. No applicant will be disadvantaged by conditions that cannot be justified, and selection will be based on merit.

Tagged as: Burundi, Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International