International Trials Manager at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: International Trials Manager

Ref: ITA-HR-NRS2019-004
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Contract: 2-year renewable contract

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Contribute in designing, planning and implementing of cowpea network testing activities of the AVISA project;
• Contribute to the development, data collection, curation, analysis and summary of all data from the network testing activities;
• Implement cowpea field evaluations in Ibadan and surrounding areas;
• Generate seed for Cowpea International Trials (CITs) and for the network testing of the AVISA project;
• Work in close collaboration with Germplasm Heath Unit for the certification of seed produced for distribution;
• Multiply cowpea breeder’s seed of released varieties or potential candidates for release.
• Contribute to the organization of All Nigeria Cowpea Coordinated Trials that include the compilation of set of trials, their distribution and collection and analysis of data from multilocation testing;
• Prepare reports of cowpea international trials activities
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of training materials (flyers, newsletters, posters, training and extension manual etc;
• Assist with publishing research output in peer reviewed international journals;
• Supervise personnel working on cowpea breeding at IITA Ibadan;
• Must be ready to travel extensively in the sub region;
• Ensure that the cowpea seed store is well organized and managed;
• Carry out any other tasks assigned by cowpea breeder.

Qualification

• MSc in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Crop Production or related discipline with minimum of five (5) years’ experience performing similar functions or related roles in a structured organization. Ability to communicate in the French language will be an advantage

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Have ability to demonstrate supervisory and management skills.
• Have experience in conducting field trials and seed multiplication
• Have passion and commitment for academic excellence.
• Be capable to cope with heavy workloads extending beyond office hours and during weekends.
• Have ability to innovate, quickly adapt and apply new methods.
• Be familiar with statistical analytic tools.
• Have ability to organize, analyse data and prepare excellent technical reports and publications.
• Have very good leadership, interpersonal and communication skills (working knowledge of French is an added advantage.
• is considered an advantage).
• Have ability to work harmoniously in an interdisciplinary team.
• team with international and multicultural backgrounds
• Have good communication skills in English both writing and speaking’.

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

Application Closing Date
13th February, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the online application attaching detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format, The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant’s current or previous direct Supervisor, professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF)