Ref.: 11-39 FC/NRS/SWCA
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking two field coordinators for a USAID-funded project that aims to improve incomes and nutritional health of households in Bangladesh through innovations in potato and sweetpotato production, marketing, and consumption.
The field coordinators for this project will direct/execute and monitor field activities and actions across four project components related to varietal improvement, innovative seed systems, enhanced productivity through alternative cropping systems and improvements in potato and sweetpotato value chains, and food-based household nutrition.
The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.
The position: The field coordinators will be responsible for the direct coordination and implementation of field-level activities in the target region of southwest and south-central Bangladesh, where the project proposes to achieve impact. They will be based in “intervention hubs”; that is, strategic field locations within the target region. These hubs will be the locus for pilot interventions in the different components and will be centers of technology dissemination for impacting at scale across the region. They will report to the potato/sweetpotato sector leader.
Duties and Accountabilities:
- In coordination with the potato/sweetpotato sector leader, execute and monitor trials, facilitate participatory varietal selection (with organized farmer groups), and other types of interventions and towards varietal dissemination in and around the project hubs
- Actively engage and strengthen links with local partners, farmers, land ocal communities to ensure their participation in field activities
- Facilitate the involvement of experts from CIP, The World Vegetable Center (AVRDC), and other national and international organizations in field design and implementation protocols
- Support the development and strengthening of potato and sweetpotato producer organizations and value chains
- Collaborate with the vegetable field coordinators working under AVRDC’s supervision to implement joint actions where appropriate
- Participate in training/extension/technology dissemination activities to build and strengthen local capacity in ware and seed production, value chain participation, and food and nutrition security
- Contribute to development of training materials in the local language
- Support the potato/sweetpotato sector leader in the provision of seed of new potato/ sweetpotato varieties to smallholder farmers
- Help the potato/sweetpotato sector leader prepare sector technical reports, publications, and presentations.
Selection Criteria:
- A university degree or similar qualification in agronomy or a related field; an advanced degree is an advantage.
- Knowledge of potato/sweetpotato production.
- Experience with varietal testing and selection and seed multiplication.
- Capacity to organize field teams and to collaborate among local organizations and communities.
- Experience with participatory research and development approaches an advantage.
- Experience with producer organizations and links to markets desirable.
- Knowledge of English is a strong advantage.
Conditions: Employment contract will be for one year term with the possibility of renewal. Salary will be nationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.
Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full CV, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: cip-recruitment@cgiar.org. The reference name of the position should be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on 30 November, 2011 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Learn more about CGIAR and CIP by accessing web site at www.cipotato.org
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply
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