Executive Assistant , International Potato Center (CIP)

Ref.: 12-15 EA/NRS/HQ

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and responsible Executive Assistant with excellent organizational skills to support the Director of the CGIAR Research Program 3.4: Root, tubers and bananas for food security and income. Success factors for the position are: excellent communication skills, teamwork, ability to prioritize work, plan in coordinating the unit, sound judgment and excellent technology skills, as well as initiative and positive attitude in a high energy and constantly changing environment.

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

The program: The program is led by the International Potato Center (CIP) with Bioversity International, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and includes a wide spectrum of research for-development stakeholders. This new collaboration, with its combined scale and capacity, will increase the ability to advance research, share knowledge, and enhance uptake to increase research and development impacts.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Ensure the smooth operation of the Director’s 3.4 Program work by providing high levels of support and be proactive in resolving challenges in a productive way
• Ensure work priorities, procedures and administrative systems for the Program’s office are followed appropriately with strong emphasis on quality
• Track and monitor deliverables and deadline, sending reminders as needed.
• Manage the Director’s schedule; organizes and prepares relevant briefing or background material for meetings
• Screens and prioritizes incoming correspondence and phone calls, using judgment, tact, diplomacy and discretion in either answering or redirecting inquiries to appropriate sources and in dealing with highly sensitive and confidential matters or making independent decisions when multiple courses of actions are required
• Establish and maintain relevant files and databases for the Program office
• Ensure quality and timeliness of information emanating from the Program office.

Selection Criteria:

• Demonstrate ability to provide the full range of executive office work at a high level with senior officials.
• Preferable have pursued superior studies plus a minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communications skills; maturity and ability to interact responsively and tactfully with staff at all levels, with demonstrated good judgment and discretion.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills with the ability to adapt written communication into visual presentation in addition to read and edit material for clarity of message with strong emphasis in quality control.
• Proven track record and demonstrated ability to ensure total discretion, confidentiality and strong personal ethics.
• Demonstrated ability to be proactive, exercise sound judgment, and use problem-solving skills in dealing with unexpected situations, often under pressure.
• Proficient in MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to details, and demonstrated ability to multitask and judge priorities under tight deadlines.
• Positive attitude, self-starter and maintain composure under stressful situations.
• Fluent in English and knowledge of Spanish.
• Willingness to learn CIP’s policies, administrative processes and procedures.
• Willingness and flexibility to work longer hours on short notice and as needed.

Conditions: This position is local. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of interest, a full C.V., and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: CIP-Recruitment@cgiar.org. The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin in April 25, 2012 and will continue until the post is filled.

All applications will be acknowledged, only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org