Administrator - DDGR Office

Reports to: Deputy Director General - Research

Location: Rabat, Morocco

Main purpose of the position

The Administrator to the Deputy Director General – Research (DDGR) co-ordinates and provides executive-level secretarial and administrative support directly to the DDGR, facilitating effective management of a complex, dynamic research agenda including Research Platforms. The role involves close collaboration with the Director General’s Office, as well as providing basic on projects and initiatives led or supervised by the DDGR, ensuring smooth coordination with ICARDA/OneCGIAR Science Team Liaison Officers.

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is an international autonomous, non-profit research organization supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

ICARDA's mission is to reduce poverty and enhance food, water, nutritional security, and environmental health in the face of global challenges, including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development, and capacity development that consider gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organizations, other CGIAR research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.

Main responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive administrative and secretarial support to the Deputy Director General - Research (DDGR).  This includes providing support in planning activities, coordination or information sharing within the Team as well as supporting the Team Leader on specific activities directly linked to ensure effective operations of the DDGR office.
• Coordinate and oversee the administrative and logistical arrangements for all aspects of events, strategic meetings, workshops, and domestic/international travel.
• Assist with administrative processes and follow up related to procurement, consultants/interns/student and payment requests, ensuring compliance with ICARDA policies and standard practices and donor-specific requirements in collaboration with Corporate Services Units.
• Facilitate timely and efficient communication between the DDGR office and internal/external stakeholders, proactively ensuring alignment, clarity of expectations, and prompt resolution of administrative or coordination issues that may arise across teams and organizational levels.
• Support DDGR-related activities linked to MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning), Communications, and Partnership and Resource Mobilization, ensuring updated information is available and effectively communicated, including updates to the ICARDA website.
• Ensure all information related to the DDGR’s initiatives and projects on OSCAR is systematically, accurate, and continually updated.
• Maintain strict confidentiality while handling sensitive information and inquiries, exercising discretion and ensuring adherence to appropriate protocols at all times.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, Administration or equivalent, with a minimum of three years experience in executive-level administrative roles, preferably in research or international organizations.
• Experience in providing dedicated support to senior executives, effectively managing complex calendars, prioritizing workload, and following-up on executive-level assignments.
• Experience in working on confidential matters, ensuring that discretion is exercised when dealing with sensitive information and inquiries, and ensuring that appropriate confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• Proven experience coordinating across different organizational units and external stakeholders, with a demonstrated ability to maintain harmonious, productive professional relationships.
• Ability to multitask effectively, maintain attention to detail, and adapt quickly in a fast-paced and changing environment, proactively anticipating the executive’s needs to ensure seamless office operations and coordination across multiple teams.

• Resourceful and flexible approach.
• Ability to anticipate needs, proactively identify potential issues, and develop practical, timely solutions.

• Ability to balance high standard of service delivery, efficiency and quality with strict adherence to organizational policies and practices.
• Demonstrated proficiency with standard office software (Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel and an ERP system).
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is essential.
• A confident, professional, courteous, and helpful demeanor, complemented by excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with demonstrated skills in prioritizing tasks effectively and efficiently managing competing demands.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is a nationally recruited staff position open for Moroccan nationals for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first year will be a probationary period.

Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

ICARDA will acknowledge all applications received but will only contact shortlisted candidates.