Career Opportunities At International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Our Client in Nigeria:The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Liberia WAAPP Cassava Breeder.
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.
Please visit
http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.
Liberia will participate in the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Program (WAAPP-1C) to improve production and reduce poverty.
The project is to enhance rural development by increasing the productivity, value-addition and profitability of small- and medium-scale agricultural systems in Liberia, and thereby contribute to increased food security and poverty alleviation in the country.
The project will support activities that lead to intensification and commercialization of cassava, mostly through participatory methods and processes and inclusive partnerships and networks to guide project implementation, monitoring and impact assessment.
To achieve these objectives, IITA will contribute in the strengthening of the Cassava Research capacities in the country, enhancing cassava production systems productivity, quality and marketing.
IITA will contribute to improve the impact of cassava research, training and information dissemination with respect to cassava based production systems and value chain development in Liberia by enhancing the capacity to conduct research and disseminate appropriate technologies on the crop.
Liberia WAAPP Cassava Breeder - NeededJob Ref: DDG-R4D/LWCB/03/13Objective of the assignmentThe ultimate objectives of the assignment are:Provide research direction and guidance to CARI in the National Cassava Development Strategy;
Provide nurturing and mentoring to young scientists and trainees working on cassava at CARI; and
Through points a and b above, contribute to the implementation of the National Cassava Development Strategy including cassava breeding, multiplication and dissemination to increase cassava productivity in Liberia in conformity with the WAAPP Work Plan.
Position/Responsibilities:The scope of the assignment involves providing direction and guidance for the following:
Planning of cassava strategy and work plan for CARI;
Research planning and design for cassava;
Varietal and technology releases consistent with International Standard Farmer Intervention;
Technology dissemination and transfer to farmers;
Teaching young scientists and trainees to conduct quality research;
Building the team to conduct research using appropriate methods;
Pass on skills and discipline to young scientists and trainees in the areas of breeding and research discipline;
Moulding young scientists into specific discipline;
Ensure that trainees and young scientists at CARI are mentored and given research direction and guidance so that scientific and technical capacity of Liberia National Cassava Strategy is strengthened;
Technical assistance in linking the outcome of the cassava research programs to end-users including national and regional cassava sector development initiatives, major donor-funded development projects and the private sector, information management and capacity building;
Provide technical expertise for cassava technology development and improved cassava research coordination in WAAPP areas of operation;
Ensure that technology dissemination, information and knowledge management improved in WAAPP areas of operation in Liberia;
Establish collaboration and cooperation with other research institutions (universities and community colleges);
Strengthen partnerships with NGOs and other development partners for rapid dissemination of new varieties and cassava technological packages;
Liaise with other breeders active within the Global cassava Science Partnership based in Africa, the Africa-wide cassava Breeding Task Force and more specifically cassava Breeders of IITA based in West Africa;
Develop annual work plans and budgets in consultation with CARI Director and WAAPP Team;
Training young researchers and scientists in research reporting and presentation;
Set breeding targets for cassava, by analyzing demands by farmers and cassava consumers and the magnitude of constraints in the ecology, through discussion with the senior breeder in IITA;
Develop breeding lines with targets traits in collaboration with plant pathologists and molecular Biologists;
Implement training for research and extension staff at CARI to extension staff in WAAPP targeted countries;
Educational Qualifications:The candidate should have a PhD degree plant breeding and genetics or another relevant field of study.
Core Competencies:At least 5 years of cassava breeding or equivalent experience.
Excellent leadership skills and sensitivity to cross cultural issues and ability to work with multicultural and multi-disciplinary teams.
Demonstrated strategic thinking, planning, teambuilding and management skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Proven organisational, planning and budget management experience.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Willingness to travel.
Duty Station: Gbargna, Liberia
General information: Initial appointment is for three years.
IITA offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars.
Applications Procedures:Applications including covering letter, 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://www.iita.org/irs-online-applicationClosing Date: 12th April 2013IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
