International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Vacancies (4 positions)

International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) isan 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.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture seeks suitable Nigerian Nationals for the following positions at the Institute’s Headquarters, Ibadan.

1.)  Oracle Programmer (2-year renewable contract)
 
Duties:
Successful candidate will among other things:

• Assist in the development and maintenance of Oracle-based finance reporting systems;
• Provide technical support on Oracle E-Business Suite V. especially for finance related services and maintain Oracle-based internally developed payroll system;
• Reviewing and tuning SQL and PL/SQL Code.
• Design database packages and procedures
• Provide support and assistance to development team in the design, development, testing, tuning and implementation of database applications;
• Create and maintain SQL queries and routines;
• Write ad-hoc queries for various finance reporting requirements;
• Design, develop and create custom reports-based on business requirements;
• Perform any other related assigned duties.

Qualification and Experience:

• Minimum of BSc/HND Computer Science, Information Technology (IT) plus at least eight (8) years hands-on experience, two (2) of which must be on Oracle E-Business Suite V.ii performance.
• Candidates must be skilled and experienced in the following core areas:
• In-depth knowledge of Oracle 8i/9/19g+
• In-depth knowledge of SQL and PL/SQL including tuning, Oracle Forms and Reports development.
• Good working knowledge of job scheduling and monitoring tools.
• Familiarity with Oracle specific tools and utilities (Quest TOAD, PLSQL Developer, SQL Developer, JDeveloper.
• Knowledge of Net C ASP.Net and Java Programming.

2.)  Research Associate (2-year renewable contract)

Duties:Successful candidate will among other things:

• Assist in the scientific support/backstopping to national programs on product development, processing and utilization of IITA mandate crops (cassava, maize, soybean, yam and cowpea)
• Provide technical support to small and medium scale processors on processing and utilization of IITA mandate crops;
• Assist in conducting training of Trainers workshops and demonstrations and collaborate with private sectors on product development etc.
• Develop new products using cassava, maize soybean, yam and cowpea;
• Work with non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations to disseminate technologies on IITA mandate crops;
• Responsible for day-to-day operation of the food processing and post-harvest engineering laboratories;
• Link with other projects involved in commercialization of IITA mandate crops;
• Maintain correspondence and linkages with collaborators;
• Provide expertise in quality control/assurance of food products and analytical data;
• Assist in planning, implementing and monitoring of pilot processing plants and perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Qualification and Experience:

• MSc Food Science/ Technology, or BSc with 10 years relevant working experience in products development and liaising with farmers.
• He/She will also be required to have good oral and written communication skills. In addition, candidates should be honest, diligent, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
• Position requires extensive local and frequent international travel.
• Letter of application should address how the candidate’s background and experience relates to specific duties of the position.

3.)  Research Supervisor (2-year renewable contract) -

Location: Bauchi

Duties:
Candidate will:

• Conduct community analysis.
• Participate in social mobilization of farmers.
• Strengthen farmers groups to use agricultural technologies
• Collect socio-economic data.
• Facilitate farmers’ linkage to market.
• Collate and summarize field data and perform any other duties as may be assigned.

Qualification and Experience:

• BSc/HND Farm Management, Agricultural Extension, Agriculture-Economics. Relevant working experience in field surveys, market tracking, linkages, data collection and management.
• Working experience in development projects in northern Nigeria is added advantage.
• Also working knowledge of Hausa language is required and candidates must be computer literate.

4.)  Mechanic II (2-year renewable contract)
 
Duties:
Candidate will:

• Perform preventive services maintenance on tractors when due;
• Carry out repairs and period maintenance on farm tractor of various models; such as New Holland, David Brown and Caterpillar;
• Work on agricultural machinery such as Plough, Harrow, Planters, Sprayers and other fully mounted, semi-mounted and trailing implements;
• Keep daily records, housekeeping exercise and perform any other assigned duties by the Supervisor

Qualification and Experience:

• Minimum of WASC/Trade Test I, ND Agricultural Engineering plus at least two (2) years in tractor workshop.
• Candidate must be honest, physically fit and ready to work under pressure and at odd hours when necessary.

Remuneration:
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Deadline
3rd May, 2011
 
Method of Application:
Interested applicants should forward their applications with a detailed curriculum vitae, the names and addresses of three professional referees (including telephone, fax and e-mail addresses, if available), evidence of current remuneration package and photocopies of credentials, to:

The Personnel Manager,
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,
PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria
www.iita.org/nrs-online-application
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.