PROJECT COORDINATOR

Job Description

About FARA
The Forum for  Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the continental apex  organization responsible for coordinating and advocating for Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) in Africa. FARA serves as the technical arm of the African Union Commission on matters relating to  agricultural research, science, technology, and innovation.

Management

Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, FARA provides a platform for stakeholders in Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) to shape Africa’s agricultural research agenda and coordinate responses to continental and global development priorities. As part of its strategic mandate, FARA coordinates the LEAP4FNSSA Project and is a key implementing partner of the Consortium Europe–Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation (CEA-FIRST) a bicontinental initiative established to operationalize the International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) under the AU–EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) Roadmap.

To support the successful implementation of the CEA-FIRST Project, FARA invites applications from suitably qualified and highly motivated individuals for the position of Project Administration Officer.

Position Summary
Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the Project Administration Officer will provide administrative, operational, and programme support to facilitate the efficient implementation of the CEA-FIRST Project. The incumbent will coordinate project documentation, support planning and reporting processes, organize meetings and events, maintain project records, and ensure timely administrative support to project activities and stakeholder engagement.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Jobs

• Provide administrative and operational support for the implementation of project activities.
• Maintain comprehensive project records, correspondence, and electronic filing systems, serving as the central repository for all project documentation.
• Coordinate project meetings, workshops, webinars, and other events, including preparation of agendas, meeting materials, minutes, and logistical arrangements.
• Monitor project work plans, reporting schedules, and key deliverables to ensure timely implementation.
• Support the preparation of annual work plans, budgets, progress reports, concept notes, project proposals, and Terms of Reference (ToRs).
• Draft memoranda, official correspondence, briefing notes, and other project documentation.
• Conduct desk research and compile information to support project implementation, reporting, and communication.
• Assist in disseminating funding opportunities, project information, and announcements through appropriate communication channels.
• Support stakeholder engagement, networking activities, and project communication initiatives.
• Provide administrative support during project inception, implementation, monitoring, and close-out activities.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Project Coordinator.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should possess:

Agriculture & Forestry

Education

• A Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management Studies, Development Studies, or a related field.

Experience

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in project administration, programme support, office administration, or operations within an international organization, development agency, research institution, NGO, or related environment.
• Experience supporting donor-funded projects will be an added advantage.

Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Strong planning and coordination abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Professional integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.

Technical Skills

The successful candidate should have:

Demographics

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Experience using electronic records management or e-archiving systems.
• Experience supporting project planning, monitoring, and reporting processes.
• Familiarity with virtual collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
• Excellent report writing and documentation skills.

Languages

• Excellent written and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of French will be a distinct advantage.

Duration

The appointment is for an initial period of one (1) year, including a three-month probation period, and may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance, continued project funding, and organizational requirements.

Duty Station

The successful candidate will be based at the FARA Secretariat, Accra, Ghana.

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates should submit:

Charity & Philanthropy

• A cover letter;
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV); and
• Contact details of three professional referees.