Soybean Agronomist at IITA

IITA is an international non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization established in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our R4D approach is anchored on the development needs of the tropics. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate 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.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Soybean Agronomist.

Job Title: Soybean Agronomist

Ref No: DDG-R4D/SA/04/14
Location: Abuja, Nigeria.

Position / Responsibilities
The tasks of the Soybean Agronomist will include:

• Set-up a soybean research and delivery platform with a coalition of partners and key actors including Agricultural Research Institutes and the State Agricultural and Rural Development Programs, farmers organisations, input and output dealers, related projects, NGOs and policy makers.
• Organize inception meetings and workshops to plan, review and implement agreed activities with some programs organized by the IITA Youth Agripreneurs specifically for youth.
• Train technicians and extension agents in the management of soybean technology evaluations and data collection.
• Monitor project implementation and progress over time.
• Use decision support tools to predict the performance of soybean varieties in a range of agro-ecologies in Nigeria.
• Establish large-scale demonstration plots to show-case and promote high yielding soybean varieties.
• Conduct farmer field days to increase awareness of improved high yielding soybean varieties and other relevant technologies with some programs organized by the IITA Youth Agripreneurs specifically for youth.
• Develop and disseminate mobile messages and radio micro-programs on improved high yielding soybean varieties and other relevant technologies.
• Produce a toolkit for farmers on good agronomic practices to be distributed via agro-dealers.
• Produce breeder and foundation seeds of soybean for distribution to seed companies and community-based seed producers.
• Establish community-based seed schemes for the production and marketing of seeds for improved soybean varieties with some programs organized by the IITA Youth Agripreneurs specifically for youth.
• Link community-based seed producers to seed companies for the production and marketing of improved soybean varieties.
• Perform any other responsibilities that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Educational Qualifications
The candidate should have an MSC in Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Pathology and any related field.

Core Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of plant health.
• Minimum of 10 years relevant working experience with legumes.
• Good skills in MS Office and general knowledge of computers.
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently where necessary.
• Good organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work under pressure.
• Be available to work outside office hours and for extended hours where necessary.

General information:
Initial appointment is for one year. IITA offers a competitive remuneration package.

Application Closing Date:
2nd May, 2014

Method of Applications:
Applications must include covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/irs-online-application


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