AfricaRice Research Assistant – Extension Agronomy

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) wishes to employ a highly qualified Research Assistant – Extension Agronomy who will be based at Dar‐es‐Salaam, Tanzania. This position is housed inthe Multinational‐CGIAR Project on Support to Agricultural Research for development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD‐SC), which is funded by the African Development Bank. This invitation for applications follows the general procurement notice AfDB43‐04/12 for this project that was published in UN Development Business online on 27 April, 2012.

About AfricaRice

AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. It is also an autonomous intergovernmental association of African member countries.

Responsibilities

The Research Assistant – Extension Agronomy will work under the direct supervision of the Extension Agronomist/ AfricaRice in Dar‐es‐Salaam, Tanzania, or his duly assigned representative. He/she will attend to all activities related to agronomy at AfricaRice and reports to the Extension Agronomist, working in the ‘Sustainable Productivity Enhancement’ program. The Research Assistant – Extension Agronomy is part of a multi‐disciplinary research team working to sustain and improve the productivity of rice‐based systems in Africa in line with AfricaRice’s mission and mandate.

S/he will undertake the following functions:

-      Establish and supervise on‐farm experiments;

-       Supervise/monitor baseline, yield gap and diagnostic surveys in rice sector development hubs in East and Southern Africa;

-       Conduct field meetings, workshops in collaboration with research partners;

-       Manage and provide statistical analysis of research data;

-       Contribute to preparation of presentations, write technical reports and other scientific publications in English;

-        Carry out any other professional duties as needs arise within AfricaRice.

Requirements:

The selected candidate should have:

Education: An MSc degree or equivalent in agronomy, soil science or any closely relatedfield;

Work Experience:  Experience  in  working  with  a  range  of  stakeholders  such  as  farmers,scientists,  public   and   private   partners   and   non‐governmental   organizations   (NGOs)   ispreferred; Experience in farm surveys and conducting on‐farm research trials, preferably with rice.

Key competencies/abilities required: Knowledge on statistical analysis of researchdata, and familiarity with computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access are required; the applicant should be prepared for extensive work‐related travel within the research area of AfricaRice; the applicant should be able to take initiatives and work satisfactorily with a minimum supervision in a multicultural setting.

Language

Strong oral and written communication skills in English, while knowledge of Swahili or French would be considered an important asset

Terms and Conditions

·        This is a General Support Staff (GSS) position.

·        AfricaRice provides an attractive salary and benefits package and a collegial and gender‐ sensitive working environment

·        The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility for renewal.

Application procedure

Candidates should send an application (including a cover letter and a detailed CV with the following information: Name, surname, gender, date of birth, family status, nationality, certificates obtained, professional experience (stating clearly beginning and end dates of each experience: day, month, year), language skills (French/English), and the names and addresses (including telephone / fax / email) of three referees.

To apply for this position, please send your applications

To: A.Kpadonou@cgiar.org with the following mention in subject “Recruitment process‐Research Assistant – Extension Agronomy”

Or to the following address: Head, Human Resources Service, AfricaRice, 01 B.P. 2031,Cotonou, Benin Republic.

Applications will be considered until Sunday, June 16, 2013

AfricaRice believes that staff diversity promotes excellence in its operations, and encourages applications from women and developing country professionals.

AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To learn more about AfricaRice, please visit our website at:

www.africarice.org

Deadline : Sunday, June 16, 2013.