IITA-CGIAR Is Hiring For Multiple Positions – Apply Now

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is recruiting for multiple roles across Nigeria in training, administration, logistics, helpdesk support, driving and agricultural research. IITA is a CGIAR member focused on agricultural innovation, food security, livelihoods and employment across sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsibilities

Training Officer

• Coordinate state-level training needs assessments and adapt technical, business and soft-skills curricula to local contexts and value chains.
• Plan and schedule training cohorts, including venues, facilitators, mentors and participants.
• Identify, orient and support qualified local facilitators and mentors.
• Oversee practical and hands-on training delivery at Youth Agribusiness Parks and designated centres.
• Coordinate specialised and inclusive training for persons with disabilities and internally displaced youth.
• Support the Start Them Early Program (STEP) in secondary schools.
• Track attendance, progress and completion and maintain training records.
• Coordinate the distribution of training materials and starter kits.
• Link trained participants to mentors, youth clusters, cooperatives, finance and market actors and employment opportunities.
• Collect feedback and outcome data for continuous improvement.
• Prepare periodic reports on participation, completion, quality observations and challenges.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, gender-inclusion, health and safety standards.
• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

State Administrative and Logistics Officer

• Plan and coordinate logistics for training, workshops, community sensitisation and Youth Agribusiness Park activities.
• Coordinate venues, transportation, accommodation, materials and equipment.
• Manage state office administration, including supplies, filing, asset registers, utilities and vendor service contracts.
• Coordinate low-value procurement in line with IITA policies and approved work plans.
• Manage receipt, storage, inventory and distribution of programme materials and starter kits.
• Supervise assigned drivers and coordinate vehicle scheduling, maintenance, fuel and safety.
• Manage petty cash and expenditure retirements.
• Support state HR administration, including onboarding, attendance, travel and welfare.
• Liaise with government officials, community leaders, facility managers and other local stakeholders.
• Support monitoring activities, programme visits and donor visits.
• Ensure safeguarding, health, safety and security compliance.
• Maintain administrative and logistics records for audit and reporting.
• Prepare periodic reports and perform other assigned duties.

State Helpdesk Officer

• Operate the state-level programme help desk in person, by phone and through designated channels.
• Respond to enquiries from prospective and enrolled participants, community members and partners.
• Provide accurate information on programme eligibility, application procedures, training schedules, Youth Agribusiness Park access and available support services.
• Receive, log and route participant and community feedback, questions and complaints to the appropriate focal point.
• Support outreach and community sensitisation activities, particularly among young women, persons with disabilities and internally displaced youth.
• Maintain an organised and up-to-date log or database of enquiries, referrals and resolutions.
• Support monitoring of relevant local policy, regulatory and market developments affecting youth agribusiness.
• Assist with registration, attendance tracking, cohort enrolment and Youth Agribusiness Park events.
• Coordinate with the State Training Officer, State Admin and Logistics Officer and other state team members.
• Prepare periodic summary reports on help desk activity, common enquiry themes and feedback trends.
• Uphold IITA's safeguarding, confidentiality and code-of-conduct standards.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Driver - Multiple Locations

• Provide safe and timely transportation for project staff, consultants, partners and visitors in support of project activities.
• Transport project materials, equipment and supplies to field locations and other designated destinations.
• Ensure assigned vehicles are clean, roadworthy and maintained according to IITA policies and manufacturer recommendations.
• Conduct daily vehicle inspections and promptly report mechanical faults, accidents and maintenance requirements.
• Maintain accurate vehicle logbooks, fuel consumption records, maintenance records and trip documentation.
• Ensure timely servicing, repairs, insurance renewals and licensing of assigned vehicles.
• Observe all traffic regulations and maintain safe driving practices.
• Support logistical arrangements for trainings, workshops, field visits, stakeholder meetings and other project activities.
• Ensure the security and proper handling of passengers, project documents and equipment during transportation.
• Assist with loading and unloading project materials where necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Research Associate in Plant Breeding

• Conduct field-testing of different stages of breeding lines and populations.
• Create related studies in EBS, collect data and upload data into EBS in a timely manner.
• Assist with leaf sampling for genotyping.
• Prepare seeds for grain quality and disease resistance screenings.
• Prepare seeds for field-testing at Africa Rice Research Stations and NARS in different countries.
• Assist in the collection, curation and analysis of research data.
• Draft research reports and research publications.
• Ensure digitisation and barcoding of breeding nurseries, trials and seed inventories.
• Supervise technicians and labourers on a daily basis.
• Assist in degree and non-degree training programmes.
• Perform other related duties assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

Training Officer

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Extension, Agribusiness, Education or a related field.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in agricultural training, extension services, vocational training or youth capacity-building programmes.
• Sound technical knowledge of at least one priority value chain, including poultry, aquaculture, horticulture, rice, maize or cassava.
• Demonstrated adult-learning and hands-on practical training experience.
• Experience working with diverse groups, including youth, women, persons with disabilities and displaced persons.
• Strong facilitation, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Good record-keeping and reporting skills.
• Basic Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Good understanding of the relevant state, communities and local languages.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the state, including rural training locations.
• Strong presentation, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple training activities.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Good report-writing and documentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital learning platforms.

State Administrative and Logistics Officer

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain Management or a related field.
• 2-4 years of relevant administrative or logistics experience, preferably with an NGO, research institute or development programme.
• Good knowledge of the relevant state, districts, local government structures and communities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with government, community and youth stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel within the state, including rural and peri-urban locations.
• Strong administrative, planning, coordination, record-keeping and report-writing skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Integrity, professionalism and commitment to quality service.

State Helpdesk Officer

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualification in Social Sciences, Communications, Development Studies, Agriculture or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in customer service, community engagement, front desk operations or a similar public-facing role, preferably within an NGO or development programme.
• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills.
• Fluency in the local language(s) of the state or district and English.
• Good working knowledge of the local community, culture and context.
• Sensitivity to the needs of young women, persons with disabilities and displaced persons.
• Basic computer literacy and Microsoft Office skills.
• Patience, discretion and strong customer-service orientation.
• Ability to handle sensitive or difficult conversations professionally.
• Willingness to travel locally, including to Youth Agribusiness Parks and community locations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work under pressure.
• Good problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• High integrity, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and digital communication tools.

Driver

• Minimum of a Secondary School Certificate.
• Additional training in vehicle maintenance is an advantage.
• Valid driver's licence appropriate to the vehicle class.
• Clean driving record.
• Minimum 3 years of professional driving experience, preferably with an NGO, government agency or corporate organisation.
• Excellent driving skills and commitment to road safety.
• Good knowledge of vehicle maintenance and care.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• High integrity, professionalism and reliability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the assigned state.
• Good knowledge of roads and routes within the state or district, including rural areas.
• Basic vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting skills.
• Good communication skills and a courteous, professional manner.
• Physically fit and able to travel frequently, including to remote locations.

Research Associate in Plant Breeding

• MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding or a related subject.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in the design and implementation of experimental research.
• Experience with agricultural or research-related projects is an added advantage.
• Competence in statistical analysis of research data.
• Experience in cereal crop breeding and physiology.
• Experience in data collection and statistical analysis using advanced tools such as R and Bioflow.
• Knowledge of marker-assisted breeding and genomic selection is desirable.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to implement tasks autonomously with minimal supervision.
• Collaborative team spirit and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team under pressure.
• High integrity and results-oriented approach.
• Good judgment and ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary.
• Attractive employee benefits.
• Excellent working conditions.
• Pleasant campus environment.

Deadline

21 September 2026 for the Training Officer, State Administrative and Logistics Officer, State Helpdesk Officer and Driver positions.

25 September 2026 for Research Associate in Plant Breeding.