The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a CGIAR Research Center is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented candidate to join its headquarters in Battaramulla, Sri Lanka as an Assistant Program Officer – Portfolio Analysis & Project Support.

The Assistant Program Officer (APO) is responsible for supporting the administration of IWMI’s portfolio of Research for Development projects. The APO will report to the Head of the Program Management Office (PMO) and assist in administering IWMI’s project portfolio.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collate, monitor, and analyse project-level performance and financial data, including budget utilization, deliverables, and staff resourcing, and communicate these insights effectively through presentations and reports.
• Prepare and update project management records in IWMI systems, including data on project performance, implementation status, risk management, and work planning.
• Assist in managing IWMI’s staff time tracking system in coordination with the finance team, ensuring that all time allocations for active projects are accurately updated.
• Assist in managing IWMI’s staff time tracking system in coordination with finance, ensuring all time allocations budgeted for active projects are updated.
• Ensure that research staff regularly complete and maintain up-to-date timesheets.
• Maintain the staff time annual projection database, ensuring accuracy and up-to-date records for all project staff.
• Update and maintain the Research Organizational Chart and Country Office Chart, ensuring they accurately reflect current staff and organizational structure.
• Support the Head of PMO by collaborating with Portfolio Managers throughout the project lifecycle and assisting with the implementation of project management tools, including Smartsheet and Power BI reporting dashboards.
• Compile information to monitor and manage program resource utilization, including maintaining on-demand dashboards for the Management Team and Program Leadership Team. These dashboards should provide overviews of current staff utilization across funding sources, forecasted allocations, and anticipated requirements from pipeline projects.
• Address queries from Project Leaders and other staff regarding work plan modifications, deliverable completion, budgets, and resource allocations in timely manner.
• Coordinate with research support departments such as Finance, Communication & Knowledge Management (CKM), and HR to expedite the resolution of project-related issues.
• Perform any additional tasks assigned by the Head of PMO.

Requirements

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

Essential,

• Bachelor’s degree in science, business management, or a related field, with at least 01 year of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in working with databases, generating reports, and producing accurate information in the form of tables, spreadsheets, and graphics.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Essential,

• Advanced computer skills with sound knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and dashboard development systems.
• Sound analytical skills.
• Good coordination and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with individuals from different cultural and national backgrounds.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member.
• Excellent oral and written language skills in English, including effective listening and strong verbal and written communication abilities.

Benefits

This is a nationally recruited position and only Sri Lankan nationals will be considered. IWMI offers a competitive salary and benefits package, inclusive of health insurance, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, and long-term disability coverage. The duration of the contract will initially be for a period of three years with the possibility of extension.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. We will be accepting applications through 24:00 (IST) on September 08, 2024 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted. Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.