Research and Delivery Support Assistant

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research and Delivery Support Assistant

Job ID: IITA/P&C/NRS2026-058
Location: Ibadan, Oyo (Onsite)
Contract: 2-year renewable contract 

Duties
Research Support:

• Assist with the preparation of media and other materials for food safety research.
• Participate in sample preparation, aflatoxin extraction, microbial isolation, and maintenance of fungal cultures.
• Assist with field data collection, including site visits, key informant interviews, and market or facility assessments, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Delivery Support:

• Assist with food safety sensitization efforts, including demonstrations on the use of Aflasafe®, hermetic storage bags, and humidity cards.
• Assist in the capacity development of informal sector actors.
• Maintain communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• An Ordinary National Diploma with a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in media preparation, microbial extraction.

Competencies:
The ideal candidate must have:

• Experience using digital tools for field data collection (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK).
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Experience in stakeholder management with the informal sector.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, including fluency in Yoruba and proficiency in English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Certification in Food Safety is an advantage.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.