ICRISAT Jobs in Nigeria, 19th May 2015
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts
agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million
square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi-arid tropics is
home to over 2 billion people, with 650 million of these being the
poorest of the poor.
ICRISAT and its partners help empower those living
in the semi-arid tropics, especially smallholder farmers, to overcome
poverty, hunger, malnutrition and a degraded environment through more
efficient and profitable agriculture. ICRISAT, established in 1972, and
is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. For more details, see
www.icrisat.org.
The research associate in market development
will work under the supervision of the Market Development Specialist.
Each of the successful candidates will be posted at any of the 4 Sorghum
hubs with frequent travel to the project communities
Scientific Officer (Research Associate) in Agricultural Engineering
The Job:
a) Facilitate Capacity Building on Good Agronomic Practices
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Plan and implement capacity building for stakeholders (extension
agents, farmers’ groups, technicians) on the use of small and medium
scale machines and implements related to on Sorghum production and
processing
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Organize technical support for farmer on best practices and
techniques as related to sorghum production and post-harvest handling
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Identify and introduce appropriate machines and implements for
drudgery reductions in sorghum production and processing in sorghum
production hubs
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Identify and develop appropriate partnerships with farmer groups,
village-based organizations, government officials and other development
partners that are active in the Sorghum sub-sector at village, district
and state levels
b) Facilitate the Adoption and Use of GAP in Sorghum Farmers Fields
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Promote adoption and use of appropriate machines and implements for
drudgery reductions and knowledge to improve Sorghum management and
their step-wise integration into farmers’ practices
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Coordinate the formation and animation of Sorghum producers’ learning
groups that constitutes the nucleus of use of appropriate machines and
implements for drudgery reductions learning and dissemination at farm
level
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Promote participatory extension methods and group-based learning
tools that encourage knowledge and experience sharing amongst farmers
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Demonstrate new technologies and practices to increase crop yields at farm level
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Promote the use of audio-visual and other multi-media tools for the
dissemination of technologies that increase Sorghum yields in farmers’
fields
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Assist farmer leaders to develop a critical capacity to observe,
analyze, and to propose appropriate solutions to crop management
problems challenges
c) Supervision and Reporting
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Supervise and support field based staff including community based
facilitators and farmers implementing field activities in Sorghum sector
development hubs
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Supervise in conjunction with other project staff as may be required,
annual field surveys on the agronomic, socio-economic and livelihoods
aspects of Sorghum farming, including data analysis and reporting
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Write monthly, quarterly summaries and annual reports to the Sorghum
commodity specialist or senior management as maybe required for
purposes of program documentation, M&E and reporting to donors
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Plan and carry out analysis of efficiencies and effect of introduced machines and implements at farm level
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Contribute to project quarterly and annual planning meetings and
budgeting process by furnishing timely information on the mechanization
aspect of crop cultivation
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Provide feedback and manage information to/from stakeholders (farmer
organization, private sector value chain actors, etc) as maybe advised
by project management from time to time to ensure adequate
communications linkages are maintained between the project management
team, the communities and other stakeholders
The Person:
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A Nigerian National with Master of Science in Agriculture
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Farm Mechanization or a related
science, together with field-based experiences in Agriculture sector
development projects implementation
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At least 5 years experience in Agriculture research to development
activities in Nigeria and a good knowledge of Sorghum growing ecologies
and Sorghum producing communities in Nigeria with proven farmers
capacity building, technology and innovation dissemination qualities
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Must have previous experience in small and medium scale farmers
production and processing activities and be willing to spend long
periods travelling and staying in rural areas
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Must have experience with community-based projects implementation
and/or small-holder-oriented development initiatives are desirable
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Demonstrated ability to carry out ToT capacity building and farmers groups trainings
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Excellent written and spoken communication skills, including presentations
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Computer literacy with proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications
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Shows commitment to teamwork with minimal supervision by working
positively and cooperatively with others. Committed to a high standard
of performance, a sense of urgency and mutual respect and integrity
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Thorough knowledge of Sorghum Agronomy, Sorghum growing environments and particular experience within Nigeria is important
The Reward:
This is an
nationally recruited staff position with an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package payable in US dollars. The position is initially for
two years,
and extendable depending on performance of the incumbent and funding
availability. An attractive compensation will be offered for the right
candidate.
Job Title: Sorghum Commodity Specialist
The Job:
Coordination of Sorghum Project Implementation under ATASP
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Coordinate development of Sorghum-related annual work plans in
conformity with the overall project implementation plan for the
four-year period of the ATASP-1 project or as revised annually and
ensure that the budgets and procurement plans are executed conform AfDB
rules and procedures
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Oversee and drive the implementation of all Sorghum activities with
stakeholders and with a focus on timely delivery of targets set and
proactively seek linkages with the other non-Sorghum related components
of the project
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Organize annual work review and work planning workshops specific to
Sorghum sector development for government officials and NARS
stakeholders
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Organize and oversee capacity-building activities for facilitators and staff members involved in program implementation
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Develop and promote crop and options that lead to higher nutritional
and food security for poor smallholder framers and particularly
targeting women
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Find farm level agronomic interventions that improve the performance
of existing cropping systems or test and introduce improved systems or
varieties
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Scale up and out promising interventions
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Liaise with relevant national research and development institutions,
private sector actors in ensuring appropriate backward and forward
linkages in the Sorghum value chain
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Oversee the selection of key project implementation areas (‘Sorghum
sector development hubs’) and Sorghum value chain actors and in
particular ensure mobilization of farmer groups for effective
implementation of Sorghum project activities in the ‘Hubs’
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Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of project implementation in
the Sorghum sector and ensure measurement of achievements towards
project goals
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Ensure preparation of real-time progress reports of project implementation, defining progress, problems and solutions
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Supervise Sorghum project staff and, where necessary, participate in
the recruitment, orientation, supervision and mentoring of new staff,
including promoting capacity development of staff in accordance with the
needs of the project
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Ensure that performance appraisals are carried out annually for all project staff
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Ensure proper record keeping for the intervention and ensure that
appropriate and accurate documentation is provided to the program
administrator within specified deadlines
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In coordination with the project finance officer, supervise the
maintenance of the Sorghum budget, including accounting of all project
expenditures incurred under the project
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Represent the project to relevant local authorities and organizations and support ICRISAT Sorghum in policy engagement
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Develop an appropriate and clear relationship with local and state
governments on implementation of the Sorghum activities particularly
with respect to their investments in irrigation infrastructure as part
of the rural Sorghum development plans
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Participate in local, regional or international information exchange
fora or exposures related to the project as may be deemed necessary by
ICRISAT
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Undertake any other duties as required by the needs of the Center
The Person:
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PhD in Agriculture or related science, together with Agriculture
Sector development implementation experience at international or
national level with considerable expertise in project management.
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A minimum of 10 years’ experience of which at least five years at a
managerial level in donor-funded (preferably multilateral)
projects/programs in agriculture research & development activities.
Experience in community-based projects implementation and/or
small-holder-oriented development initiatives with a track record in
Africa is desirable.
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Thorough knowledge of Sorghum Value Chain Development including
linkages with government and private sector institutions in general and
particular experience within Nigeria is important.
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Working knowledge of the operational modalities of national and international NGOs is desirable.
Job Title: Scientific Officer (Research Associate) in Market Development
The Job:
a) Develop and coordinate market development strategy and interventions in the Sorghum sector
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Support the design of Sorghum sectors market development strategy within the context of ATASP-1 executed in Nigeria
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Plan and implement Sorghum market development interventions in
Sorghum seed systems development, Sorghum inputs and output market
sub-sectors
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Organize capacity building for stakeholders (NARIs staff, extension
agents, producers’ groups, seed companies, etc) on Sorghum sector
market/ value chain development
b) Support the establishment and strengthen market linkages in Sorghum value chain
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Support marketing activities for Sorghum value chain actors in Sorghum sectors development hubs in Nigeria
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Support establishment of contracts with potential partners (e.g.
market actors), develop concrete offers for partnership and negotiate
agreements between key actors
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Initiate contract farming arrangement between seed companies and seed
out growers and for farmers groups and paddy off-takers based on best
practices and trust
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Organize and implement market exposure visits for Sorghum farmers and processors for learning and awareness creation purposes
Actively participate in monitoring and evaluation of project implementation
The Person:
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A Nigerian National with Degree in Business Administration,
Agricultural Economics or related fields, and/or additional training in
Agricultural Market Development/ Entrepreneurship Development or a
related field
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Should have a minimum of 5 years working experience with relevance in agriculture and agribusiness;
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Previous experience with private sector and hands on market linkages will be an added advantage
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Must be energetic, creative, and willing to learn
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Strong written and verbal communication skills
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Must have previous experience in agribusiness and be willing to spend long periods travelling and staying in rural areas
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Computer literacy with proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications
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Proficiency in English language with excellent communication skills
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Thorough knowledge of Sorghum market development and information systems particularly within Nigeria
The Reward:
This is a
nationally recruited staff position with an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package payable in US dollars. The position is initially for
two years,
and extendable depending on performance of the incumbent and funding
availability. An attractive compensation will be offered for the right
candidate.
How to Apply
To apply for these positions,
Click Here to Apply
Applicants should apply on or before
25th May 2015,
with a letter of motivation, latest Curriculum Vitae, and names and
contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the
candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience.
All
applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates
will be contacted.