Job Overview

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is seeking a Diversity, Inclusion, and Safeguarding Specialist for its Headquarters in Ibadan. The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of the project’s Diversity, Inclusion and Safeguarding Strategy, ensuring alignment with project objectives, donor requirements, and institutional policies.

The role will support inclusive and safeguarding-focused delivery across project work plans, training programmes, enterprise support services, Agribusiness Parks, and other interventions. It will also involve working with project teams, partners, stakeholders, and the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to strengthen participation, compliance, reporting, and evidence on inclusive programme outcomes.

Job Details

Employer: IITA
Job Type: Temporary
Qualification: Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Development Studies, Psychology, or a related discipline
Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in diversity and inclusion, gender equality, safeguarding, disability inclusion, social protection, or related fields
Job Field: Diversity, Inclusion, and Safeguarding
Location: Oyo
Salary: Highly competitive salary
Application Deadline: September 10, 2026

About the Organization

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the project’s Diversity, Inclusion and Safeguarding Strategy.
• Mainstream diversity, equity, inclusion, gender equality, disability inclusion, and safeguarding across project interventions, work plans, and implementation processes.
• Develop and implement strategies that promote the equitable participation of women, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and other marginalised or vulnerable groups.
• Provide technical guidance on inclusive programme design, safeguarding standards, gender-responsive programming, and disability-inclusive approaches.
• Conduct diversity, inclusion, gender, disability, and safeguarding assessments, identify barriers to participation, and recommend mitigation measures.
• Develop and deliver training and awareness programmes for project staff, partners, consultants, service providers, and beneficiaries on safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), diversity, inclusion, and gender equality.
• Establish and strengthen confidential reporting, referral, and response mechanisms for safeguarding concerns in line with institutional policies and national legislation.
• Monitor compliance with safeguarding standards and support safeguarding risk mitigation across project activities.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure training programmes, enterprise support services, Agribusiness Parks, and other interventions are accessible and inclusive.
• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to develop inclusion and safeguarding indicators, monitor project performance, and generate evidence on inclusive programme outcomes.
• Coordinate engagement with organisations representing women, persons with disabilities, youth groups, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare technical reports, safeguarding updates, inclusion analyses, and progress reports for project management and donors.
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories relating to diversity, inclusion, gender equality, disability inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements and Qualifications

A Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Development Studies, Psychology, or a related discipline is required, together with a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in diversity and inclusion, gender equality, safeguarding, disability inclusion, social protection, or related fields.

• Knowledge of Nigerian legal and policy frameworks relating to gender equality, disability inclusion, child protection, and safeguarding.
• Demonstrated experience integrating gender, disability inclusion, and safeguarding into donor-funded development programmes.
• Experience developing and implementing safeguarding policies, reporting mechanisms, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Experience designing and delivering training programmes on safeguarding, gender equality, and inclusive programming.
• Experience working with organisations representing women, persons with disabilities, youth, and vulnerable populations.
• Strong understanding of international safeguarding standards, gender equality frameworks, disability inclusion principles, and protection approaches.
• Strong technical expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, gender equality, disability inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding principles and survivor-centred approaches.
• Excellent facilitation, coaching, and capacity-building skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and policy development abilities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership management skills.
• Strong communication, report writing, and presentation skills.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, empathy, and confidentiality.
• Ability to influence organisational culture and promote inclusive practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data management tools.

Compensation and Work Conditions

This is a two-year renewable contract. IITA offers a highly competitive salary, attractive benefits, and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Quick Eligibility Check

• Minimum qualification: Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Development Studies, Psychology, or a related discipline
• Required experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in diversity and inclusion, gender equality, safeguarding, disability inclusion, social protection, or related f…
• Verified duty station: Oyo
• Employment type: Temporary
• Core requirement: Nigerian nationals
• Core requirement: Experience integrating gender, disability inclusion, and safeguarding into donor-funded development programmes
• Application deadline: September 10, 2026

Application Readiness Checklist

• Make the required qualification easy to verify in the education or certification section of your CV.
• Show evidence of the required experience through relevant roles, dates and measurable responsibilities.
• Tailor your CV to the verified responsibilities and Diversity, Inclusion, and Safeguarding skills stated in this vacancy.
• Prepare every document or submission item specifically requested by the employer.
• Submit through the official channel before the stated deadline.

Vacancy Verification

This vacancy was checked by AfriJobSpace on September 4, 2026 against the employer’s official recruitment source. View the official vacancy source.

Application Safety

Apply only through the official employer channel provided on this page. Do not pay anyone to submit or process your application, and verify unexpected recruitment messages directly with the employer.

How to Apply

Complete the online application and attach a detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae saved with the applicant’s name in Microsoft Word format. Applications should be submitted no later than two weeks from the date of publication

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application through the employer’s official application platform using the Apply for Job button on this page.