Job Title: Farming System Analyst
Ref: DDG-R4D/FSA/10/13
Employer: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Farming System Analyst.
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 tropical nations. 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. IITA commits to turning 7.5 million ha of farm land into sustainable use, one of the two Key Performance Indicators in its Refreshed Strategy 2012-2020.
Humidtropics is the IITA-led CGIAR Research Program on Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics. This exciting new global research for development (R4D) program targets systems that affect up to 1.5 billion rural people, most of whom operate within smallholder farming systems in which livestock and production are intimately linked. The program focuses on increasing the available options and strengthening the capacity of poor and vulnerable people to improve their livelihoods and living environment. The strategy is based on promising innovations and technologies for agricultural systems in the humid tropics that will result in vibrant communities, economic success, educated people, and environments that encourage health and well-being. Innovations should aspects of sustainable intensification of agriculture, enhancement of the natural resource status, and improving income to smallholder farmers. IITA is focusing its investments in the Humidtropics in the West and East/Central African Action Areas.
We are looking for a suitably qualified and enthusiastic person to fill the position of Farming System Analyst who will lead the efforts of IITA in relation to farming system analysis activities in the West and East/Central African Action Areas of the Humidtropics. The Farming System Analyst will work in close cooperation with other institutes engaged in this research area and report to the Director for Central Africa and NRM of IITA.
Position/Responsibilities:
• Lead IITA's farming system modeling and trade-off analysis activities in the West and EC African Action Areas of the Humidtropics.
• Contribute actively to the overall farming system analysis and modeling activities across all institutes engaged in this in above Action Areas.
• Bring together scientists with diverse disciplinary background (i.e. biophysical and socio-economic) and provide a platform where scientists are actively contributing to farming systems analysis.
• Organize data collection efforts (e.g. surveys, monitoring) to describe and understand the current diversity in farming systems and their underlying drivers.
• Engage with farmers and other stakeholders to capture production objectives, resource allocation decisions and behavioral patterns.
• Explore scenario modeling through iterative desktop and participatory studies to ensure that modeling efforts provide information for improved decision by farmers and other actors.
• Engage with communication specialists and social scientists to develop learning tools for end users, both non-scientific and scientific.
• Publish findings in high quality scientific journals.
• Communicate research findings to the larger scientific community in Africa and globally.
• Co-supervision of PhD and MSc students.
• Lead the technical and financial reporting to the projects supporting this work.
• Participate actively in the Central Africa and NRM teams at IITA.
Educational Qualifications: The candidate should have a PhD in farming system analysis or a related theme with 10 yrs post-PhD experience.
Core Competencies:
• Knowledge of African farming systems.
• Proven publication record in top scientific journals.
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills with French skills an important added advantage.
• Readiness to travel extensively in the West and EC African Action Areas of the Humidtropics
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Commitment to gender equity and diversity.
Duty station: Nairobi (Kenya).
General information: Initial appointment is for three years. IITA offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars.
Applications: Applications which must include covering letter, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service.
Please complete our online application form using the link below.
Closing Date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
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