Consultant - Systems Agronomist in Tanzania

Systems Agronomist (Consultancy)

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Systems Agronomist.

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

As part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative to address global hunger and food security issues (www.feedthefuture.gov), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting multi-stakeholder agricultural research projects to sustainably intensify key African farming systems in the Sudano Sahelian zone of West Africa, the Ethiopian Highlands, and Eastern/Southern Africa. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is the lead institute for developing and implementing the project in Eastern/Southern Africa together with a wide range of partners. This research project focuses primarily on cereal-based farming systems in Dodoma and Manyara region of Tanzania but is intended to result in spill-over effects in other similar agro-ecological zones in neighbouring countries.

IITA is seeking an experienced consultant in systems agronomy to start the implementation of this project. This may develop into a longer term position.

The consultant will report to the Project Coordinator and Director for East Africa.

Responsibilities

· Design, plan and recommend integrated natural resource, crop and livestock management strategies that the project will be implementing to address farmers’ needs in different intensification gradients in the target regions of Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia.

· Identify and select partners who will participate in strategic and adaptive research on the agronomy of cereal and legume crops.

· Set up the establishment of demonstration plots focusing on participatory dissemination of improved crop, integrated soil fertility, integrated pest management, and crop-livestock management technologies with relevant stakeholders.

· Make an inventory and identify tools (e.g., simulation models, databases, information systems, or GIS) for matching improved technologies to different farmer-targeted niches for food and cash crop production.

· Work with other scientists in activities designed to start the implementation of the project.

· Develop plans for strengthening NARS partners’ capacity in natural resource, crop and livestock management strategies.

· Provide guidance and direction to technical staff of the project.

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a PhD degree in agronomy from a recognized university.

Core Competencies:

· At least 4 years of post PhD experience in agronomy research. · Excellent knowledge of English · Good knowledge of farming systems in the Eastern and Southern Africa is of advantage. Duty station: Tanzania, most likely Arusha General information: Estimated consultancy duration: 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012 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://www.iita.org/irs-online-application Closing Date: 15 March 2012 IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.