Associate Scientist

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of an Associate Scientist to enhance and study the adoption and adaptation improved agricultural technologies.

IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. http://www.iita.org/

CIALCA is the Consortium for Improving Agriculture-based Livelihoods in Central Africa (www.cialca.org). The consortium brings together international research partners from the CGIAR (a.o. IITA), National Agricultural Research partners (NARS), Regional and European Universities, and a wide range of national and international development partners. CIALCA aims to improving agriculture-based livelihoods through sustainably increased system productivity to enhance income, nutrition security, and the environment.

Position/Responsibilities: The CIALCA Associate Scientist will be responsible for the promotion of CIALCA improved agricultural technologies for adoption and dissemination by national research institutes, the private sector, development organizations and farmer groups. The primary target regions are the East African highlands of Rwanda, Burundi, and Eastern DR Congo. The scientist will also coordinate the CIALCA advocacy and out-scaling activities initiated by IITA. He/she will liaise with IITA research and administrative staff based in Eastern Africa and at its headquarters in Nigeria. He/She will report to the IITA Systems Agronomist. The primary tasks of the CIALCA Associate Scientist are:

• Supervise the work of IITA-CIALCA teams in the region: planning, follow up implementation, monitoring and evaluation. This will include organization of stakeholders’ meetings and workshops;
• Liaise with CIALCA consortium members and other partners and stakeholders for joint planning, monitoring and evaluation of research and advocacy activities;
• Maintain and expand the network of national partners for enhanced and large scale dissemination of CIALCA improved technologies in the region;
• Keep records on progress of the implementation of CIALCA activities and achievements and update staff and partners on a quarterly basis on the progress achieved towards the set targets;
• Help develop and produce CIALCA science outputs in the form of (i) technical reports, (ii) scientific publications and (iii) training materials.
• Support capacity building efforts within CIALCA through (i) backstopping of students and (ii) organizing CIALCA training workshops.
• Assist with management of IITA resources in CIALCA, i.e. (i) local staff, (ii) research & office equipment and (iii) project vehicles

Duty Station: The CIALCA Associate Scientist will be based in Bujumbura (Burundi) or elsewhere within the project region (i.e. Rwanda, DR Congo).

Qualifications/Experience:

• MSc or in agricultural sciences, social sciences or rural development
• At least 5 years experience in large multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder projects
• Experience in working with small scale farming systems in Africa
• Proven experience in producing scientific and development outputs, including peer-reviewed publications and training materials.
• Proven experience in project management, including procurement, budgeting, accounting and HR management
• Fluency in French (spoken excellent) and English (spoken and written excellent)
• Willingness to travel extensively within the project region
• Experience with research for development projects in banana-based farming systems is considered an advantage

General information: Initial appointment is for 1 year with extension possible, depending on funding availability and performance. IITA offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars. This is a regional position and is open to nationals and residents from the East African community (COMESA) and beyond.

Applications: Applications including curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://old.iita.org/cms/details/job_application.aspx

Closing Date: September 20, 2010