VACANCY, IITA HOTTEST, WEDNESDAY 20, OCTOBER 2010

EXTENSION/DISSEMINATION SPECIALIST (REF: DDG –R4D/EDS/10/10)

BACKGROUND: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of an Extension/Dissemination Specialist for the project Putting Nitrogen Fixation to Work for Smallholder Farmers in Africa (N2Africa).

IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organization created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating 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. http://www.iita.org/


The N2Africa Project is led by Wageningen University, the Netherlands. The project will deploy state-of-the-art legume and rhizobial inoculant technologies to African smallholder farmers to enhance inputs of free atmospheric nitrogen by biological nitrogen fixation, thereby improving crop and livestock productivity, human nutrition and farm income, while enhancing soil health. The project will work in eight countries (DRC, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe) from three hubs situated in East, West and Southern Africa.

Position/Responsibilities: The Extension/Dissemination Specialist will report to the Deputy Director-General (Research), Research for Development of IITA, and within the project to the Project Leader. Substantial attention will be devoted to ensure rapid uptake of existing technologies that will enhance nitrogen inputs into target agroecosystems through nitrogen fixation by grain and forage legumes. Although the successful candidate will work mainly in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, this work will be conducted in close liaison with parallel project activities in East, Central, and West Africa. Tasks include to:
Create/initiate appropriate partnerships to set platforms for technology dissemination
Develop and implement tools/technologies to increase farmers awareness and adoption of new technologies
Produce specific dissemination tools adapted to needs of farmers groups, agro-dealers, and development partners
Conduct collaborative legume and inoculant technology dissemination campaigns and create awareness in farming communities
Develop strategies for empowering women to benefit from the project products
Provide an educational program to farmers to build capacity in agribusiness
Conduct research, with specific application to increasing efficiency and adding value to small scale agricultural business ventures
Document new technology uptake in project impact domain
Contribute to impact assessment and monitoring and evaluation studies
Organize and implement N2Africa field survey campaigns in Project areas.
Prepare oral presentations, reports, and scientific articles.
Mentor technical staff and (co)-supervise M.Sc and PhD projects
Facilitate all aspects of N2Africa field operations and management of logistics in Southern Africa.
Meet reporting and monitoring and evaluation requirements of N2Africa
Establish effective working relationships and facilitate collaboration with National Agricultural Research Institutes and development agencies.
Represent and articulate the N2Africa mission and its scientific accomplishments in local and international settings.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
PhD degree in agricultural extension, agricultural economics, rural and social development or other relevant discipline. Post – doctoral experience strongly preferred with at least 5 years experience in agricultural extension and training, technology transfer, and development of training and dissemination materials in relation to sustainable livelihoods. Whilst the intention is to appoint a person of outstanding scientific reputation, particular emphasis will also be placed on proven qualities for leadership.
Experience of managing networks and/or multi-institutional and multi-cultural collaborative projects will be an advantage.
Strong client service orientation.
Strong oral and written communication skills. Ability to motivate people to produce quality work within tight timeframes.
Valid driving license.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Team player with personality traits that enable him/her to motivate and communicate with all levels of the professional and support staff.
Self-starting, energetic style, with an ability to work effectively with little day-to-day direction or supervision.
Reputation of integrity, high intelligence, creativity and the ability to exercise good judgment.
Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to establish rapport and credibility with people at all organizational levels, forming strong relationships, both internally and externally.
Committed to transparency and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.
Fluency in English; French or Portuguese an advantage.

General Information: The successful applicant will be offered an initial two year contract, renewable subject to six (6) months probation period of good performance. This initial contract is renewable subject to good and acceptable performance. The successful applicant will be expected to start working as early as possible after selection but not later than 1 December 2010. IITA offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with the position’s responsibilities and the education and experience of the successful candidate.

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, full curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Applications including lists of publications should be sent to Mrs. L. Mendoza, Human Resources Manager at the email address IITA-HR@cgiar.org

CLOSING DATE: November 19, 2010.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.