Project Manager- Temporary

The International Livestock Research Insitute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Project Manager for a temporary position to support the program management needs of the Health Program.

ILRI is an internatinal working for better lives and better planet through livestock. ILRI’s mission emphasises the interconnections between people, animals, and the environment, aiming to improve the lives of more than 300 million people in low- and middle-income countries through livestock science that supports equitable and resilient livestock systems, ultimately contributing to food systems transformation with climate and environmental benefits. This mission is delivered through two core strategic objectives: co-designing and deploying sustainable, science-based livestock solutions, and leveraging science to inform and influence policy and investment decisions.

ILRI is a member of the CGIAR, a global research alliance that works to transform food, land and water systems in a climate crisis and is the only CGIAR centre dedicated to addressing multiple development challenges through sustainable livestock solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program reporting and administration

• Plan the project cycle, including defining timelines and deliverable endpoints for all project work packages in conjunction with the relevant co-PIs and Program Management teams.
• Work with academics and students in the project to plan, organize and implement field data collection and laboratory activities.
• Co-ordinate project components with other members of the project team, on behalf of the co-PIs.
• Pro-actively work with all project team members to ensure work plans are documented and on track and to identify problems before they arise, ideally achieved through regular (every 2 weeks) meetings with each of the project teams to oversee ongoing activities and catalyse the solving of any issues.
• Implement and maintain project database systems for lab and field data collection.
• Take primary responsibility for ensuring project data are collected appropriately with the support of project Principal investigators.
• Manage existing online collaborative tools and contribute to the creation of new ones / or revise existing ones based on lessons learnt.
• Maintain a contacts database for all project staff, students and visiting academics.
• Maintain the project output repository in liaison with the ILRI communications staff in the program (for open access on the ILRI repository).
• Write monthly summary reports for dissemination to all project members, summarising project progress and progress in meeting project targets.
• Develop and maintain a Risk register and assist the co-PIs in managing risks to the project’s timely delivery.
• Ensure compliance of all projects through Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC), Institutional Animal Care and Use committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety / Biosecurity committee (IBC) etc.

1. Budget Management

• Work with the program accountant and institutional program managers to oversee, plan and track the project budget.
• Partner institutes have their own budgets (for staff expenditures), but the post holder will be responsible for tracking expenditure across all partner institutes.
• Ensure timely sharing of budgetary information with senior budget staff.
• Follow up with ILRI finance department to ensure disbursement of funds to partners.
• Assist the Program Accountant in the monthly routine accounting duties.
• Oversee day to day project field expenditure.
• In consultation with the PI and co-PIs, draft annual reports to the donor/funder.
• Manage stores supply/ordering with external suppliers and maintain up to date inventories of supplies and consumable shipping, including tracking budgetary allocations for these project activities

1. Communication

• Act as a primary point of contact for all issues related to projects. This will include being the contact person for the project’s primary stakeholders, with whom a long running positive relationship should be established.
• Meet regularly with project stakeholders (facilitated through the ILRI co-PIs).
• Support communication by coordinating communication with project partners, including government officials, collaborators and local administrators.
• Organize conferences, workshops, science write shops, internal and external meetings, project annual retreat and quarterly meetings, and other events as required.
• Participate actively in project meetings, some of which will be held internationally.
• Contribute to the online presence of the project, including maintaining project website, twitter feed and newsletter in collaboration with the Communication specialist.
• Plan and oversee logistics for project meetings (internal/multi-partner).
• Perform any other related duties as may be required

Requirements

• Master’s degree in business administration, Program Management and/or a scientific subject (e.g., veterinary medicine, epidemiology, microbiology).
• Professional training or demonstrable practical experience in leadership and project management.
• At least 7 years relevant experience in program management working in an internationally focused research or development organization.
• Knowledge of administrative and financial management of development programs and/or donor funded projects/programs.
• Experience in managing work plans, results-based budgets and systems to monitor and report progress.
• Strong English language skills, both written and spoken.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and an engaging personality.
• Experience with science communication will be an added advantage.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Strong IT skills.
• Experience with data entry in electronic databases will be an added advantage.
• Experience of working with epidemiology and public health researchers will be an added advantage.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with interdisciplinary teams of scientists and partner organizations.
• Ability to communicate with different stakeholders.
• Ability to handle electronic data entry and data management.

Terms of Appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) positions based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus

This position is at job level HG15 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. The position is for a six month contract period.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Head of People and Culture through our recruitment portal by clicking on "Apply Now" on or before 5th July 2026. The position title and reference number REF: PM/2221-06/2026 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org/