IITA JOBS

PROJECT MANAGER, TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION SPECIALIST AND NUTRITIONIST POSITIONS (REF: DDG-R4D/SIDA/RLP/12/10)

BACKGROUND:
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. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.


IITA intends to implement a project entitled: Making Agricultural Innovations Work for Smallholder Farmers Affected by HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa (MIRACLE). The overall objectives of the project are to contribute towards sustainable livelihoods of People Living With HIV and AIDS (PLWHIV) in Southern Africa and to improve their health and nutritional status, food security and income through the production, consumption and marketing of nutritionally-enhanced crop and livestock products, lobbying for supportive agricultural and health policies, and strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders engaged in agricultural activities.

IITA is looking for suitably qualified persons to fill the following positions:

1. PROJECT MANAGER: The Project Manager will monitor the day-to-day management and coordination of the project in the region in consultation with technical scientists on the project and the Project Management Team (PMT). The primary responsibilities will include:
Provide management and research leadership.
Preparation of budgets and financial reports.
Making necessary arrangements and workout logistics for project workshops, meetings, and monitoring tours.
Working out logistics for all training activities planned under this project.
Implementing administrative decisions taken by the PMT.
Serving as a link person between IITA and project partners through National Project Management Teams.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate should have a postgraduate degree (MSc) and relevant experience in project management.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Excellent leadership, management, interpersonal, and team building skills.
Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
Fluency in oral and written English and working knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage.
Knowledge of southern Africa and good contacts with NARS scientists in the region is also an added advantage.

2. TECHNOLOGY DISSEMINATION SPECIALIST: The successful candidate will work with other project experts to promote productivity-enhancing and resource-saving technologies in smallholder farms. The primary responsibilities will include:
Providing leadership in designing, planning and implementation of on-farm trials and demonstrations of soil, crop and livestock management technologies in farming communities.
Providing technical backstopping to community based organisations for on farm testing, community-based seed multiplication, community animal health workers and dissemination schemes of improved technologies.
Organizing and leading training courses for different stakeholders as necessary.
Compiling, collating and preparing of technical reports.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Post graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in agronomy or extension with experience in on-farm testing and transfer of technologies.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Proven skills and experience in agronomy or extension research.
Proven skills and experience in the use of participatory research and extension approaches.
Good scientific publication record.
Computer literacy and statistical data analysis capabilities.
Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
Ability to work with smallholder producers and processors.
Fluency in oral and written English and working knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage.
Knowledge of southern Africa and good contacts with NARS scientists in the region is also an added advantage.

3. NUTRITIONIST: The successful candidate will provide technical expertise in nutrition and health-related activities. Key responsibilities will include:
Providing leadership in designing, planning and implementation of activities relating to nutrition and health improvement.
Providing technical backstopping to countries on nutrition and health improvement activities.
Organizing and leading training courses for different stakeholders as necessary.
Compiling, collating and preparing of technical reports.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Post graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in nutrition with experience in transfer of technologies.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Proven skills and experience in nutrition or food science research.
Proven skills and experience in the use of participatory research and extension approaches.
Good scientific publication record.
Computer literacy and statistical data analysis capabilities.
Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
Ability to work with smallholder producers and processors.
Fluency in oral and written English and working knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage.
Knowledge of southern Africa and good contacts with NARS scientists in the region is also an added advantage.

DUTY STATION: Lusaka, Zambia. Frequent travel within Africa is expected.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Initial appointment is for three years.

Applications: Applications including curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://old.iita.org/cms/details/job_application.aspx

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be screened from 7th January 2011.

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

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.