Assistant Manager, Protocol & External Liaison

<p>The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture seeks suitable Nigerian nationals for the positions below at the <a rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" class="external">Institute’s Headquarters in Ibadan:</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Position: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Assistant Manager, Protocol &amp; External Liaison</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Contract:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong>3-year renewable contract&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong>Location: HQ, Ibadan</strong></p><p><strong>Closing Date: </strong>20 August 2026</p><p></p><p><strong>DUTIES:&nbsp; </strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Diplomatic &amp; Travel Services Support </strong></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support the day-to-day coordination of protocol, immigration, diplomatic and travel service requests in line with approved procedures and service standards.&nbsp;</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Track and support the processing of visas, residence permits, diplomatic identity cards, ECOWAS travel documentation, customs exemptions, and related official documentation across Headquarters, Abuja, and Lagos.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support operational follow-up for diplomatic CT number plate registration, vehicle disposal exercises and return of assigned diplomatic registration numbers.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Monitor service requests against established service level agreements (SLAs) and escalate delayed or high-risk cases to the Manager for guidance and for timely resolution. </p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Monitor documentation completeness, departure protocol compliance and return of privileged documents.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p><strong>Government Liaison </strong></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support engagement and liaison with ministries, government agencies, embassies, immigration and customs authorities, and other external stakeholders.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Track changes in immigration, customs, diplomatic, protocol, and consular regulations and flag potential operational implications to the Manager.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support operational information flow between Headquarters, Abuja and Lagos teams to reduce duplication and keep requests aligned with the approved workflow.</p><p></p><p><strong>Official Visits</strong></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support coordination of event logistics, official visits, protocol arrangements, and hosting requirements in accordance with IITA standards under the direction of the Manager.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support the preparation of official agendas, itineraries, visit&nbsp;programmes, stakeholder engagement activities and other official documentation required for high-level visits and institutional engagements.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Liaise with relevant internal service providers and field offices to follow-up on protocol support, airport protocol services, dignitary reception, transportation, accommodation and security arrangements.</p><p></p><p><strong>Documentation &amp; Compliance</strong></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Maintain workflow tracking, dashboard reporting, KPI monitoring, case management updates, and chargeback reporting for Manager review.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support document management, correspondence standardization, records management, and archiving system.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support the monitoring of SOP implementation, internal controls, audit readiness and compliance requirements, escalating gaps to the Manager.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Identify&nbsp;operational risks and propose mitigation measures for review and direction.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p><strong>Operations Support </strong></p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support day-to-day coordination of PEL staff across HQ, Abuja and Lagos, by tracking service quality, following up on assigned tasks, and escalating workload or resource issues to the Manager.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support execution of approved work plans, follow up on assigned operational tasks, and monitor workflow progress to support timely completion of unit deliverables.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support the use of SharePoint, digital case management systems, document templates, workflow automation tools, and dashboard reporting mechanisms to enhance operational efficiency and data visibility.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Support procurement processes, imprest management, chargeback administration, and other operational activities in accordance with established institutional policies and procedures.</p><p>·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Review service delivery trends, operational data, and stakeholder feedback to identify improvement opportunities and recommend process enhancements for Manager consideration.</p>