State Project Officer (Cross River) at AfriLabs

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:


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


Stakeholder Engagement


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


Monitoring and Supervision:


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


Data Collection and MEL support:


Collect, verify, and validate programme data (enrolment, attendance, completion, outcomes)
Support implementation of MEL tools, reporting templates, and indicator tracking systems
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 periodic programme evaluations and data quality assessments


Operation Logistics:


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


Reporting & Documentation:


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


Community Engagement & Visibility:


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


Academic Qualifications


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


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:


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