Maize Agronomist at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (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.

We are seeking dynamic, innovative and self-motivated scientist for the position of Maize Agronomist in Nigeria for a four year project, co-led by CIMMYT and IITA, entitled ‘Transformation of agronomic research and delivery services for smallholder farmers in maize-based systems of Sub-Saharan Africa…’. We are looking for an individual who is able to grasp and tackle the complexity of sustainable intensification in maize-based systems with strong analytical skills and the capacity to innovatively use modern systems and IT-based tools. This position could be filled by a candidate with one or more of the following skills: agronomy, soil science, geo-spatial systems and analysis, agronomic and geo-spatial database development, development of knowledge tools and APIs. This is an internationally recruited staff position but we are primarily looking for a candidate from Nigeria that has the requisite skills for the position; however, we will consider other candidates from the region if no suitable national candidate is available and others are therefore encouraged to apply. The selected candidate will work as a member of CIMMYT’s Global Conservation Agriculture Program, and will contribute to a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team applying systems approaches for agricultural research.

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

Job Title: Maize Agronomist

Ref No: DDG-R4D/MA/G/10/14
Location: Ibadan

Position/Responsibilities
The Maize Agronomist will perform the following specific duties:

• Lead project activities related to geospatial inter- and extrapolation of plot level agronomic information, interactions with AfSIS in Nigeria, development of decision support systems, interpretation of UAV information, methods to link geo-spatial data across scales, mapping of maize yield gaps across scales.
• Promote and support cross institutional and inter-disciplinary teams.
• Facilitate partnerships along maize value chains operating in Nigeria.
• Build capacity of partners to co-develop and use project databases, tools and models.
• Contribute to building capacity of national institutions through the identification and co-supervision or mentoring of project supported post-graduate students programs.
• Collaborate with CGIAR centers and other research institutes to support/ enhance project outputs and develop synergies with other projects to maximize impact.
• Communicate research results to various audiences and in various forms, with specific focus on peer-reviewed journals.

Educational Qualifications
The candidate should have a PhD in a Geo-Spatial Analysis and Simulation Modeling or a related discipline relevant to the skills listed above (the covering letter should expand on the relevance of your skill-set).

Core Competencies

• Minimum 5 years' experience in your chosen field/discipline.
• Experience with data modeling and databases (MySQL, PostGIS, MS Access, SQLite, DSSAT or other DST) and an understanding of distributed (geo)data infrastructures.
• Experience with metadata standards, ontologies and MS SharePoint is an asset.
• Understanding of gender and social inclusion issues and experience with ways of addressing these in research for development programs in order to promote equality of opportunity and outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience working and interacting effectively with a variety of stakeholders (farmers, extension workers and other service providers, public and private sector entities, national programs), and demonstrated ability to collaborate well across disciplines and with key collaborative institutions and agencies.
• Strong publication record in peer reviewed journals.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Application Closing Date
21st November, 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

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