CIP Research Associate/Agronomy Jobs in Bahir Dar and Adet - Ethiopia
CIP Research Associate/Agronomy Jobs in Bahir Dar and Adet - Ethiopia
The Position: The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks to recruit a Research Associate (Agronomist) with experience in potato for the GIZ-funded Seeds of Change project.
The Research Associate will support in managing the project, implementing project activities, and achieving creative partnerships across public and private sectors to strengthen the contribution of potato to incomes, food security and nutritional health in Amhara, Oromia and Southern Nation Nationality and Peoples’ Region.
He/she will be involved in the evaluation, demonstration and dissemination of resilient potato varieties and other existing technologies that will help smallholder farmers adapt to a changing climate while improving yields through a gender-responsive and sustainable seed system and in capacity building at various levels of the potato value chain.
This position will be based in Bahir Dar with frequent travels to field implementation sites. The successful candidate will report to the PI of the project based in Addis.
General:The International Potato Centre (CIP) is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers.
Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world.
CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions.
CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. The CIP Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) main regional office is in Nairobi, Kenya. CIP also has offices in eight other African countries.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Support national and regional agricultural research institutes (NARIs) to establish national variety development trials, collect data and document research results following gender-sensitive participatory variety selection by farmers and end users;
Work closely with NARIs in producing clean early generation seed (EGS) to improve availability of quality seed for cooperatives and commercial multipliers for further distribution to seed and ware potato producers;
Lead capacity building interventions in using improved varieties, quality seed production, sustainable land management, good agricultural practices and proper seed storage technologies for farmers, extension, private sector enterprises and partners;
Seek collaborations with private sector stakeholders to build effective seed potato value chains;
In collaboration with Bureaus of Agriculture promote gender-equitable access for farmers to information, technologies, markets and document gender disaggregated challenges and needs;
Involve in organizing participatory stakeholders’ meetings, workshops, field days, etc.;
Assist in preparation of communication materials targeting potato stakeholders, including farmers, development and extension agents;
Assist in training materials, protocols and curriculum development on potato technologies for agricultural training centres, development
and extension agents and farmers;
Assist monitoring and evaluation teams to coordinate, plan and execute monitoring and evaluation activities;
Contribute to planning, executing and reporting on quarterly and annual work plans and reports consistent with project objectives;
Perform other duties as required
Minimum Requirements:
Education:
BSc degree or MSc degree in Agriculture, Horticulture preferred, professional certification
Experience:
BSc degree plus 5 years or Masters’ degree plus 2 years of work experience in agriculture/agricultural development programs involving GO and NGO stakeholders
Solid work experience with potato and sweetpotato agronomy, their seed multiplication and production system
Have knowledge of detecting latent infection of sweetpotato and potato viruses and bacterial wilt disease of potato using ELISA kits
Must have good Experience in handling and application of pesticides in the field
Basic understanding of the insect pests and diseases of sweetpotato and potato, and their management
Must be familiar with Microsoft office program (Excel, power point, Ms word) and data analysis software
Previous work experience with NGOs or the private sectors
Skill and Competence:
Applied knowledge in potato agronomy, its disease and insect pest management, seed multiplication and production systems.
Strong technical knowledge of potato agronomy and pathology;
Experience working with farmers, farmer groups and extension;
Strong and demonstrated expertise to design and plan field activities;
Knowledge of data management and statistical software programs
Demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships in research and/or project implementation;
Excellent social skills, collaborative style, and ability to multi-task effectively;
Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required;
Willingness to travel within the country;
Ability to write scientific publications.
Position level: 2D
Duty Station:
Bahir Dar/Adet, Ethiopia
Minimum Base salary:
Birr 24,572 per month (Negotiable depending on experience, skill and salary history of the candidate)
Terms of appointment: Initial appointment is fixed term for 34 months which will be renewable based on performance and funding availability.
CIP offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits in line with ILRI salary applicable for its Nationally Recruited Staff. CIP is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that diversity of its staff contributes to excellence.
How to Apply:
Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae.
The position and reference number: RAA/46/28 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.
All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal on or before 21 December 2018.
To find more about CIP, visit our Website at http://www.cip.cgiar.org
Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.
For more information and job application details, see; CIP Research Associate/Agronomy Jobs in Bahir Dar and Adet - Ethiopia
