Background:

• CIP is implementing the USAID funded three-years Project the USAID Potato Project in Georgia. It  is a 3-year project, and it aims to sustainably improve the socioeconomic well-being of potato farmers in Georgia by addressing root causes of low productivity, establishing mutually beneficial commercial relationships between potato farmers and market players, and strengthening platforms to advocate for the interests of the sector through innovative technologies and new varieties.
• The Project will increase the productivity and value of potato sales of smallholder farmers through innovative technology of seed potato production, 3G technology. G1 part of the technology is production in the in-vitro laboratory and greenhouse; G2 is production in open field on the private sector partners' farms (farm station) using material transplanted from the greenhouse and open field, and G3 is production on farmer plots from seed harvested from the farm stations.

The Position:

• The Project Officer is charged with providing managerial and technical support to the Chief of Party (COP) in overall project management activities in alignment with the approved Annual Implementation and performance plan. The selected candidate will facilitate efficient project management, while enforcing compliance with CIP's policies and procedures in accordance with its ADS 308 Public International Organization status. S/he will contribute to workplans, reports and activity implementation.  S/he will work with CIP's project management unit (PMU) and HQ project support units to enable fluid communications, efficiencies, and compliance. Externally, the selected candidate will work to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new ones across the public and private sectors. 
• On the technical side, the position will also provide assistance to the COP on the deployment of the project's agricultural technologies, production processes at model farm, the recruitment of farmers for the cooperative Potato Producers' Network (PPN) and establishment of demo plots at farms.  A key aspect of the position will be to engage regularly with private sector partners and project stakeholders.
• The selected candidate is required to have technical experience in implementing projects related to agricultural management, preference working with vegetable propagable crops. The selected Project Officer will be based in Tbilisi, Georgia and report to the Chief of Party or his/her designee.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Management

• Support COP with the design, implementation, and monitoring of project implementation, while ensuring progress against approved workplans, and delivery and responsiveness to communities and partners, in alignment with CIP principles, values, policies and procedures.
• Act on behalf of CoP, on technical implementation and monitoring of field activities, as required.
• Support COP in the identification of project implementation risks, obstacles, and potential changes to approved workplan and budget.  As appropriate, support the formalization of changes in coordination with the PMU and through the grants and contracts unit.
• Facilitate coordination between CIP project staff and project partners and monitor project partner activities and reporting.
• Timely identification of procurement needs to enable adequate procurement processes in accordance to CIP policies.
• Support the COP in coordinating with PMU, PBC and local finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities.
• Staff Management, Professional Development and Team Building
• Support office work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of professional skills at all levels.
• Support the COP in working with People and Organizational Development in HQ to ensure that all staff members are effectively using the performance planning and management system.
• Support POD with project team-building efforts and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Communications with HQ
• Support the COP in enabling fluid communications between project operations and HQ
• Support COP with timely and responsive updates and communications with donor, partners and stakeholders

REQUIREMENTS

What are we looking for?

• Master's degree in Agronomy, biology, plant sciences or related field
• Strong experience of at least 5 years in project implementation, preferably within a challenging international development context.
• Proven skill in recruiting, developing, and leading teams, especially multiple partners in consortium and culturally diverse teams, including the private sector.
• Good to excellent knowledge in Agriculture management; preference (bonus) vegetable propagable crops.
• Experience with agricultural marketing and/or food security issues an advantage
• Knowledge of agricultural research for development desirable.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format
• Strong communication, conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced level of MS Office
• Advanced knowledge of database work
• Advanced written and oral communication skills in English
• Willingness to travel frequently and work under field conditions.

Source:https://recruit.zohopublic.com/recruit/PortalDetail.na?iframe=true&digest=ytYfxFjwDefd6FnbsIRmrTIOFsefphEVTG6URVzuayI-&jobid=268451000011195884&widget...