ILRI Vacancy: Gender and Agriculture Specialist in CIMMYT

Vacancy Number: A/050/13
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration: two (2) year term renewable

General: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an autonomous, non profit making, international scientific organization operating under the aegis of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). More specifically its mission is:
To encourage, support and undertake activities to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat systems in the interest of the resource poor in developing countries.
The position: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is recruiting a Gender and Agriculture Specialist position based in Addis Ababa, who will be a member of the CIMMYT team.

MAIN DUTIES (Terms of Reference)

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) seeks an enthusiastic and resourceful gender specialist to strengthen the integration of gender considerations in two on-going agricultural research-for-development initiatives in Ethiopia: a) Nutritious Maize for Ethiopia (NuME), funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and b) Farm Power and Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Intensification (FACASI), funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. Both NuME and FACASI emphasize the need to address gender equality in agriculture and thorough integration of gender at all levels is expected. On the day-to-day basis the gender specialist will report to the NuME and FACASI project leaders. However, thematically, he/she will form part of the CIMMYT gender team and work in close coordination with CIMMYTs lead gender specialist for technical supervision and to ensure contribution towards and alignment with the gender strategies for the CGIAR Research Programs on MAIZE and WHEAT.

THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THIS POSITION ARE:

• To provide technical guidance on the integration of gender equality considerations throughout project implementation and monitoring the achievement of gender equality results.
• Strengthen institutional capacity and further develop and consolidate the evidence base in support of the use of gender as an analytical tool to enhance the targeting, implementation and impact of the work of CIMMYT and its partners.

The main responsibilities of this position include:

Operationalization of the NuME Project gender strategy
Provide guidance and training for strengthening awareness, understanding and ownership among project staff and partners of the relevance of addressing gender in agriculture
Identify and assess opportunities for integration of effective gender transformative approaches in relation to agricultural technology development, adaptation and diffusion
Work with colleagues and partners to ensure implementation of approaches and arrangements (including sex-disaggregated data collection in relation to on-farm trials, participatory technology evaluations, agricultural and nutrition extension and socio-economic surveys) to achieve Project targets for balanced and meaningful gender participation in project activities and realization of technology benefits
Work towards improving the documentation and understanding of gender issues in smallholder agriculture in Ethiopia, in particular how this relates to research-for-development interventions drawing on bio-fortification or mechanization approaches.
Ensure monitoring and documentation, and contribute to progress reporting of gender equality results,.
Assist in the development of gender sensitive communication campaigns and materials
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in gender studies, social anthropology, sociology or related field with specialization in gender and development or a relevant first degree plus a relevant post graduate professional qualification
• Minimum of five years of professional experience working with gender issues in relation to agriculture, food security and/or nutrition in Ethiopia (specific experience with mechanization/drudgery reduction, small-scale entrepreneurship, adult learning/knowledge processes will be an asset).
• Demonstrated qualitative and/or quantitative analytical skills, including ability to go beyond basic descriptions of gender inequalities to discern underlying gender relations and their significance for how men and women behave in managing productive resources for agriculture
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including solid experience with participatory methods and dynamics
• Proven interpersonal-, and cross-cultural skills, including ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team and to develop strong and effective working relationships with partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; fluency in local languages (e.g., Amharic and Oromiffa) in major Project target areas would be an advantage.
• Creative, systematic and well-organized with high degree of initiative and sense of responsibility
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft packages and electronic communication
• Ability to undertake fieldwork in rural communities

Duty Station:                Addis Ababa

Grade:                      3B.

Minimum Base Salary:     Birr 27,302 (Negotiable, depending on experience, skill and salary history of the candidate)
Terms of appointment:  Initial appointment is (fixed term) for two years with the possibility of renewal appointment, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. CIMMYT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits in line with ILRI salary applicable for its Nationally Recruited Staff.  CIMMYT is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that diversity of its staff contributes to excellence.
The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus on the outskirts of Addis Ababa.  Dining and sports facilities are located on site.
Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, relevant documents and testimonials and the names and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resources Office, ILRI, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Telephone: (251-11)-617-20-00; Fax: (251-11)-617-20-01.  The name and reference number of the position for which the application is made should be clearly marked on the envelopes if mailed, or on the fax applications.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing date:  26th August 2013.

To find more about CIMMYT, visit our Website at http://www.cimmyt.org
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer.
Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply

To find out more about ILRI, visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/