Research Associate (Agronomy) at International Potato Center (CIP) - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

International Potato Center (CIP): CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a network of 15 Research Centers and 16 Research Programs mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Associate (Agronomy)

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2022-025
Location: Jos, Plateau
Recruitment Type: National (1-year renewable contract)

Description

• The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on behalf of CIP seeks suitable Nigerian for the position below at the CIP project location in Jos.
• NPSSP aims to support potato seed security in Nigeria by building local capacity within the public and private sector to supply adequate amounts of quality seed of in-demand and locally adapted varieties that meet the main market segment, while supporting smallholder farmers in maximizing their investments in seed through building capacity in on-farm seed quality management, good agricultural practices for improving soil health and fertility.

Duties

• Design, plan and manage multi-location on-farm experimental trials.
• Provide technical backstopping to farmers, extension workers and researchers on implementing on multi-location on-farm trials.
• Build capacity of partners, extension agents and/or enumerators in the use of digital data collection tools to collect data in multi-location field trials.
• Monitor progress with digital data collection by different enumerators and follow up on overall progress with data submission.
• Conduct capacity building interventions for ware potato producers, farmers, partners, private sector enterprises on soil fertility management and other good agricultural practices.
• Coordinate and support planning and implementation of field days and training events.
• Work with partners to coordinate and monitor activities, such as extension training of trainers followed by farmer training, and monitor collection of field data.
• Oversee day-to-day management and implementation of the project activities in close collaboration with project partners.
• Present the activities, results, impacts and outcomes of the project at professional, donor and other stakeholders’ meetings.
• Produce progress reports of the field activities including maintaining database, managing and analyzing technical and economic data, write briefs, journal article and project technical reports.
• Document lessons learned and best practices on the project development, implementation, and oversight activities.
• Work effectively in the project team to develop a collegial, mutually supportive, and high-performance work atmosphere.
• Proactively take responsibility to ensure safety of humans and property and implement the project activities in timely manner in keeping with the budgets allocated.
• Carry out any job-related duties as may be assigned by the Country Team Leader or other senior members of the organization.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Agriculture or related discipline with minimum of five (5) years’ hands on training and field experience in agronomy and soil fertility management of vegetative propagated crops.

Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:

• Be an excellent team player.
• Be entrepreneurial and proactive performer
• Have knowledge of local language (Plateau State will be helpful).
• Have advanced written and oral communication skills in English.

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

Application Closing Date
15th January, 2023.