Job Title: Maize Commodity Specialist (initial appointment – 2 years)
Ref: DDG-R4D/AfDB/MCS/06/12
Location: IITA Office, Ibadan, Nigeria
Organisation: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture – IITA
This invitation for applications follows the general procurement notice (Reference No. AfDB43-04/12) for this project that appeared in UN Development Business online on 27 April, 2012.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (the Executing Agency) and its partners Africa Rice Centre and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (the Implementing Agencies) has received a grant of about US$ 63 million from the African Development Fund (ADF) to finance the Multinational-CGIAR Project on Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops In Africa (SARD-SC). The strategic crops within the context of the project are Cassava, Maize, Wheat and Rice.
The overall objective of SARD-SC is to enhance food and nutrition security and contribute to poverty reduction in Bank's low income Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Its specific objective is to enhance the productivity and income of four CAADP's priority value chains (cassava, maize, rice, and wheat) on a sustainable basis.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the Executing Agency for the SARD-SC, wishes to use a portion of the grant to engage the services of a project management specialist as the Maize Commodity Specialist. Thus, the IITA would like to invite maize commodity experts with track records to apply for the post of Maize Commodity Specialist under the SARD-SC Project.
Duties: Successful candidate will among other assignments:
• lead the technical work on maize and along the value chain;
• lead the preparation of the technical reports of the maize value chain as required by the donor and in conformity with IITA requirements;
• lead a regional maize improvement program for resistance to maize stem borers and tolerance to low soil nitrogen and interact closely with scientists responsible for developing maize germplasm with resistance to Striga species and tolerance to drought;
• lead a series of regional trials of near-finished maize cultivars in all participating countries. These trials will be coordinated with those of the DTMA project and the IITA international trial system;
• in close collaboration with existing regional projects, participate in the design and implementation of on-farm trials that involve research on varietal performance and/or management factors which alleviate the effects of the target stresses;
• consult with national program research leaders including the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other interested partners on project related matters and issues of wider importance such as seed production and dissemination:.
• organize training courses related to the maize value chain of national program scientists and technicians; oversee the research activities of visiting scientists; and lead the planning of annual planning meetings related to the maize value chain;
• lead preparation of technical reports related to the maize value chain according to donor and IITA requirements;
• present the activities, results and impacts of the maize value chain of the project at scientific meetings within and outside the region; and present scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals as appropriate;
• assist and collaborate fully with specialists involved in project areas such as socioeconomics, farmer participatory research, agronomy, natural resource management and external advisory committees; and
• undertake any other project-related task assigned by the Project Coordinator or the Director General of IITA or his designated representative.
3.0 Qualification/Selection Criteria
Education: PhD in Agriculture with a major in Plant Breeding or Agronomy.
Working Experience: A minimum of 10 (ten) years experience in tropical agriculture, five of which will be with the maize value chains development in Africa.
The ideal candidate must: i) have the capacity to work effectively in a team; ii) be competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint; and iii) have demonstrated evidence of the ability to lead research work with clear results.
Key Competencies Required: i) Excellent leadership, management, interpersonal, and team building skills; ii) Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment; iii) Good experience of collaboration with NARS scientists in target countries.
4.0 Remuneration:
An internationally competitive remuneration package will be offered. IITA offers excellent working conditions in a pleasant environment.
5.0 Language:
The candidate should communicate fluently (orally and in writing) in English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language.
If you are interested in working with the company, visit the link below to submit your open application online.
Please complete our online application form using this link: IITA Ibadan Job Portal.
Please note that application letters not accompanied with evidence of current remuneration and age will not be treated.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Deadline: 19 June 2012.
Maize Commodity Specialist Job (http://www.jobnavy.com/job/4192/maize-commodity-specialist-job-at-international-institute-of-tropical-agriculture-iita/)