Project Coordinator (Associate Scientist)

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

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 International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) in Sierra Leone to implement the project, "Enhancing Site-Specific Nutrient Recommendation for Diverse Crops in Sierra Leone." This project is a key component of the government's Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) and aligns with the national "Feed Salone" strategy. The initiative aims to address critical soil health challenges, such as soil acidity and low fertility, which constrain agricultural productivity in the country. By leveraging the findings of the recently concluded National Comprehensive Soil Survey (NCSS), the project will develop and promote site-specific fertilizer and lime recommendations to boost crop yields, enhance food security, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The project will be implemented through the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and Sahel at IITA.

The Project Coordinator (Associate Scientist) will be responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of all project activities. The incumbent will ensure that the project is implemented in a timely and efficient manner, meeting all its objectives and deliverables as outlined in the project documents and contract agreement. The Coordinator will serve as the primary liaison between IITA, MAFS, and other key partners, fostering a collaborative environment to achieve the project's goals.

Position Responsibilities

The Project Coordinator will undertake the following duties:

· Work with the Hubs team to develop and manage the project's detailed work plan, budget, and overall implementation strategy in collaboration with partners.

· Coordinate and oversee the execution of all project activities with support from Hubs team (especially Hubs Senior Agronomist and Senior Data Scientist), ensuring alignment with the five main outputs: (1) digital soil mapping, (2) site-specific recommendation development, (3) Soil acidity management, (4) capacity building, and (5) laboratory strengthening.

· Monitor project progress against milestones and deliverables, proactively identifying and addressing implementation challenges to ensure timely completion.

· Work with the Hub team, IITA MELIA team and relevant project partners on project’s KPI’s and quality assurance of priority processes and solutions

· Provide technical oversight for all field and laboratory activities, including soil inventories, sample analysis, and the establishment of on-station and on-farm trials.

· Lead the development and dissemination of decision support tools for farmers and extension agents, and oversee the establishment of the national soil information system.

· Lead the generation of information products for land and soil health and the co-design of application of soil fertility decision support framework along with the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health in West Africa and the Sahel

· Develop, coordinate and co-facilitate capacity building programmes and mentorship for staff, partners and graduate students on land evaluation and soil science methodologies, data analysis and scientific communication.

· Manage project partner agreements, establish and manage service agreements with third parties, and manage procurement.

· Contribute to or lead the development of research proposals and other fundraising activities

· Serve as the primary liaison for all project partners, including MAFS, SLARI, Njala University, and NaFRA, fostering strong collaborative relationships.

· Organize and facilitate all project-related meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement events to ensure effective communication and collaboration.

· Lead the design and implementation of all capacity-building activities, including training programs for partners and the supervision of graduate students.

· Prepare and submit all required technical and financial reports to Hub and MAFS, and communicate project findings to a wider audience through publications and presentations.

· Contribute to the publication of reports and research articles using data obtained from field activities

Requirements:
Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a Ph.D. in a Soil Science or any related field.

A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in managing or coordinating agricultural research for development projects, preferably in West Africa.

Core Competencies

· Demonstrated technical expertise in soil fertility management, agronomy, and farming systems research.

· Proven experience in managing multi-stakeholder partnerships, including working with government ministries, national research institutes, universities, and farmer organizations.

· Experience with digital soil mapping, GIS, and the development of decision support tools is highly desirable.

· Familiarity with the agricultural sector and rural development context of Sierra Leone is a significant advantage.

· Strong leadership, project management, and organizational skills.

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.

· Proficiency in data analysis, project management software, and Microsoft Office Suite.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

· Ability to work independently, with a high level of initiative and problem-solving skills.

· Willingness to travel extensively to project locations within Sierra Leone.

Benefits:
Duty Station: Sierra Leone

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of twenty months. 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://apply.workable.com/iita/#jobs

Closing Date: 5th March, 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.