Project Officer at Fara Africa

1. Background

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is the continental apex organization for agricultural research and innovation. It provides technical support to the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) on food and agricultural research and innovation. FARA coordinates continent-wide efforts to apply science, technology and innovation (STI) to Africa’s agri-food systems transformation priorities, as articulated in the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) strategy.

Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, FARA works with the AUC, AUDA-NEPAD, regional economic communities, relevant government ministries, agricultural research and extension organizations, farmer organizations, higher education institutions and networks, CGIAR centres, development partners, private sector stakeholders and civil society organizations.

FARA’s work is organized around four programme clusters: (i) innovation-to-impact partnerships and systems; (ii) knowledge management, digitalization, communication and learning; (iii) institutional capacity strengthening and foresight; and (iv) science policy and investments.

FARA seeks a Project Officer to support the coordination and implementation of multiple donor-funded projects within its agricultural research and innovation portfolio, including initiatives that advance collaboration, food and nutrition security, and sustainable agriculture.

2. Position purpose

The Project Officer will support the effective coordination and implementation of multiple projects through work planning, monitoring, evaluation, reporting, administration and communications. The role will help maintain reliable performance information, track progress against agreed results frameworks, and provide timely information to support project management decisions.

3.  Reporting line

The Project Officer reports to a Project Coordinator and works closely with other personnel

Key duties and responsibilities

4.1          Project management and coordination

• Support the Project Coordinator in translating approved plans into practical activity schedules, milestones, deliverables, assigned responsibilities, and follow-up actions.
• Maintain the consolidated work plan, implementation tracker, project calendar and reporting schedule; identify delays, dependencies and emerging risks, and propose appropriate follow-up measures.
• Coordinate contributions from project staff, work-package leads and partners; record decisions and follow up on agreed actions.
• Contribute to annual and activity work plans, budgets, progress reports, concept notes, proposals and terms of reference, and monitor their review and approval status.
• Work with finance and project colleagues to track implementation progress, budget utilization and compliance with applicable administrative procedures.

4.2 Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL)

• Translate the approved results framework—including indicators, baselines, targets, data sources, reporting frequency and assigned responsibilities—into a practical M&E tracking matrix.
• Maintain indicator tracking tables, evidence registers, activity and participant records, and a reporting dashboard consistent with donor requirements and FARA’s institutional M&E system.
• Coordinate the timely collection of quantitative and qualitative data from implementing partners; review data for completeness, consistency and reliability, document limitations and follow up on gaps.
• Analyse progress against outputs, milestones and indicators, and prepare evidence-based inputs for management and donor reports.
• Support surveys, feedback mechanisms, event evaluations, outcome documentation and data-quality reviews, observing relevant consent, confidentiality and secure data-management requirements.
• Capture lessons learned, implementation challenges and success stories, and support review meetings and adjustments to implementation plans.

4.3 Administration, reporting and communications

• Maintain well-organized electronic project records, correspondence, agreements, deliverable evidence and version-controlled files.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops, webinars and stakeholder events, including agendas, logistics, minutes, attendance records and action tracking.
• Collect and check staff and project timesheets for completeness, track submissions and refer outstanding entries or discrepancies to the supervisor.
• Prepare correspondence, briefing notes, meeting reports and other project documents, and undertake desk research as required.
• Coordinate approved updates to relevant project websites and calendars, ensuring that information is accurate, timely and consistent with FARA’s communication procedures.
• Support dissemination of project information, calls and funding opportunities, and maintain up-to-date partner and stakeholder engagement records.
• Organize supporting documentation for project inception, audits, reviews and close-out, including evidence files and completion checklists.

5. Expected deliverables and performance measures

• An up-to-date integrated work plan, project calendar, milestone tracker and action log, reviewed at least monthly or as directed.
• A current M&E matrix and dashboard showing indicators, targets, actual results, supporting evidence and outstanding data gaps.
• Accurate, timely and quality-checked contributions to periodic progress and donor reports.
• Complete timesheet submission records and a follow-up log for outstanding items.
• Reliable meeting and event documentation, including attendance records, minutes and action points.
• Timely, approved website and calendar updates, with records of project information disseminated.
• Periodic summaries of lessons learned, implementation risks and emerging issues for management consideration.

6. Qualifications and experience

The following qualifications and experience are drawn from the draft. The minimum academic requirement should be confirmed before publication.

• A relevant degree in project management, public or business administration, monitoring and evaluation, development studies, agricultural development, economics, statistics or a related discipline. A relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage, subject to confirmation of the minimum requirement.
• At least three years of relevant experience in project or programme coordination and implementation, including practical experience in M&E, results tracking, data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Experience supporting donor-funded, multi-partner projects, preferably in agricultural research, food systems or international development, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience preparing indicator matrices, performance reports, dashboards and quality-assured datasets, with familiarity in results-based management and logical frameworks.
• Experience in partner coordination, project administration, timesheet tracking and website or content updates is an advantage.

7. Required competencies and technical skills

• Good understanding of project-cycle management, work planning, risk management, deliverable tracking and results frameworks, including indicators, baselines and targets.
• Practical M&E capability, including data collection, quality assurance, analysis, evidence verification, reporting and learning.
• Advanced Excel skills, including formulas, data validation, pivot tables and charts; familiarity with Power BI, KoboToolbox, ODK or comparable tools is desirable.
• Ability to manage digital calendars, shared trackers, electronic records and website content through approved workflows.
• Strong written communication, analytical thinking, stakeholder engagement, discretion, problem-solving and time-management skills.
• Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and virtual meeting tools; excellent command of English. Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

8. Duty station

FARA Secretariat, Accra, Ghana

9. Contract duration

One year, with the option of renewal

10. Expected start date:

 1 December 2026
Travel: The position may require travel, depending on project needs.