State Project Officer (Cross River)

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: State Project Officer

Location: Cross River
Reports to: Project Coordinator
mployment Type: Full-time project role
Duration: 36 months with contract renewed annually

Job Role

• The State Project Officers will support the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of project activities at the state level for the Aggregator projects.
• The role will ensure smooth liaison between project stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the project team while supporting timely delivery of project objectives.

Responsibilities
State coordination and Implementation support:

• Facilitate communication between AfriLabs HQ, ESOs, and institutional stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment of local activities with overall project plans, phases, and timelines.
• Support day-to-day coordination of programme activities at each Centre of Excellence.
• Serve as the primary focal point for all project activities within the assigned state and institutions.
• Develop and manage state-level and institution-level implementation workplans.
• Coordinate with the AfriLabs central team on approvals, escalations, and strategic updates.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with the broader state innovation and education ecosystem
• Engage with polytechnic/university management, faculty, and administrative units
• Organise and facilitate meetings, workshops, stakeholder validation sessions, and reviews
• Support coordination with ESOs operating within assigned institutions
• Liaise with relevant state government agencies, MDAs, NBTE, NUC, and local partners

Monitoring and Supervision:

• Identify implementation bottlenecks and escalate issues for resolution
• Track ESO performance against agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs
• Ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguard requirements
• Monitor implementation of training, innovation, and entrepreneurship activities at each CoE
• Conduct regular site visits, verification exercises, and programme audits

Data Collection and MEL support:

• Ensure timely and accurate submission of data to the central AfriLabs MEL team
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and evidence files for reporting and audit readiness
• Support implementation of MEL tools, reporting templates, and indicator tracking systems
• Support periodic programme evaluations and data quality assessments
• Collect, verify, and validate programme data (enrolment, attendance, completion, outcomes)

Operation Logistics:

• Manage training materials, supplies, and programme documentation at the CoE level
• Support onboarding and orientation logistics for new programme participants
• Coordinate training sessions, workshops, innovation challenges, and programme events
• Facilitate venue arrangements, technical equipment, and participant logistics

Reporting & Documentation:

• Maintain a well-organised filing system (digital and physical) for all programme records
• Prepare and present weekly field updates, monthly activity reports, and quarterly progress inputs at weekly check in calls
• Contribute to programme-level reports, readiness assessments, and evaluation frameworks
• Document activities, outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned

Community Engagement & Visibility:

• Promote inclusiveness, gender equity, and youth participation across all target groups
• Drive awareness and outreach activities within the state to attract programme participants
• Engage students, youth, women, and local communities in programme activities
• Support AfriLabs’ communications team with field stories, data, and visibility materials

Academic Qualifications

• Professional certification (PMP, PRINCE2) is an added advantage
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Development Studies, Project Management, or related field

Experience:

• 2–5 years of experience in project coordination, programme implementation, or development work
• Experience working with universities, government agencies, NGOs, or donor-funded projects preferred

Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to manage multiple institutions and field activities
• Excellent communication, reporting, and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently in field-based environments
• Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills