Field Technical Assistant in the Thrips IPM Programme

icipe—African Insect Science for Food and Health is an intergovernmental organisation funded by governmental aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improving health and agricultural productivity in the tropics.

icipe has approximately 350 staff to support its research and capacity building programmes located at various sites in Kenya and Ethiopia.


icipe wishes to urgently recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Field Technical Assistant to work in our Thrips IPM programme based at Duduville campus, Kasarani, Nairobi.

This is a national (local) position that offers two-year contracts that are renewable.

A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate.

Responsibilities

Overall duties

• Plan and establish field experiments in research farms and in farmers’ fields

Specific duties

• Maintain and monitor on-farm experiments/demonstrations on novel thrips management strategies.
• Conduct field surveys for collection, classification and identification of thrips and thrips-transmitted tospoviruses.
• Collect, code and analyse data, and submit reports on progress of work.
• Drive project vehicles during field assignments as and when needed.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in agriculture, crop science, crop protection or related disciplines from a reputed institute with a minimum of 2 years experience in a relevant field
• Possess a valid and accident-free driving licence
• The candidate should be aged 35 or below.

The candidate must also possess the following attributes:

• Excellent knowledge of screenhouse/field experimentation, field agronomic operations and reporting skills.
• Data collection and analysis skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both English and Kiswahili.
• Good organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, and must be able to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• A valid and accident-free driving licence.
• Must be prepared to work beyond office hours as and when required.
• Must be able to work with minimum supervision.
• Eager and able to learn new skills and knowledge.

Women candidates with the above mentioned qualifications and attributes are highly encouraged to apply.

Reporting

The successful applicant will report to the Project Coordinator.

Applications will be accepted up to 13 August 2012. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Applications with detailed résumés including current salary details, names and addresses of three referees (with daytime telephone numbers), and e-mail address should be sent to:

icipehr@icipe.org
The Human Resources Department,
icipe—African Insect Science for Food and Health
P.O Box 30772-00100
Nairobi, Kenya

icipe is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.