Virus Degeneration Study Regional Research Associate , Mwanza

Virus Degeneration Study Regional Research Associate (Ref.: 14-07 VDS/RRS/SSA)

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a committed specialist, preferably with extensive experience in sweetpotato virus disease epidemiology, virology & germplasm management. The position will serve a new 3 year effort focused on the validation and scaling out of low-cost net tunnel technology with farmer multipliers. The effort will be led by the Tanzania Lake Zone Agricultural Research and Development Institute (LZARDI); and in central Uganda in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO).

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 CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.

The position: This regional research position will be based in Mwanza, Tanzania hosted by IITA. The project is also working in Zanzibar and Central Uganda. This position requires working in collaboration with public and private sector research to investigate virus degeneration in sweetpotato and to build capacity in the production of quality, disease free sweetpotato planting material and sweetpotato crop production.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Collect field data (in collaboration with Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute (MARI) and the CIP Head of Virology) for the virus degeneration study and data collection on the technical feasibility of the net tunnel technology with decentralized vine multipliers (DVMs). • Support the design, implementation and monitoring of an inspection scheme for sweetpotato QDPM in collaboration with LZARDI, Tanzania Official Seeds Certification Institute (TOSCI), NGO partners and DVMs. • Provide training (in collaboration with LZARDI & national regulatory bodies) to agricultural research and extension providers, in: the production of quality sweetpotato planting material (i.e. bed preparation, planting regime, integrated pest and disease management, and QDPM protocols); ensuring that gender aspects are considered and incorporated into the training. • Coordinate with partner organizations (LZARDI, TAHEA, KOLPING) the maintenance and the production of quality sweetpotato planting material, and the organization of demonstrations and field days with selected DVMs. • Provide support for planning the multiplication cycle (i.e. delivery of tissue culture material, hardening, delivery/collection by DVMs, planting under nets, spraying, and harvesting and planting out for field multiplication). • Collaborate with the LZARDI monitoring & evaluation team in the design and implementation of an effective monitoring system. • Conduct joint monitoring (LZARDI, NGO, Government Extension provider), and learning visits to DVMs. • Identify any emerging bottlenecks to successful implementation of the net tunnel activities and work with national research partner institutions to address those constraints. • Attend in-country meetings with LZARDI and NGO partners on a regular basis. • Prepare brief bi-weekly updates for CIP and project quarterly reports on a timely basis.

Selection Criteria:

• MSc degree in: bio-technology, crop protection, agronomy, horticulture, seed technology, plant science, or other relevant agriculture discipline. • At least 5 years of relevant research experience in managing a vegetatively propagated crop, preferably sweetpotato. • Experience in diagnostics, and or molecular biology, and or virology. • Experience in managing sweetpotato seed multiplication system preferred. • Ability to work in an international agricultural research center, interacting with its staff and managing research programs in a variety of institutional and ecological settings. • Strong competencies in both quantitative and qualitative techniques. • Experience in conducting project monitoring and evaluation. • Demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships. • Excellent interpersonal relationships skills and teamwork orientation • Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes. • Training experience, in particular experiential learning with adults preferred. • Willingness to travel extensively in the field. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Kiswahili are required.

Conditions: The employment contract will be for a two-year term (with a three month probation period) with the possibility of renewal, subject to availability of funding. If a Tanzanian is selected it will be on local conditions and not a regionally recruited staff contract. The salary will be internationally 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.

How to apply:

Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to cip-recruitment@cgiar.org, copied to Margaret McEwan (M.McEwan@cgiar.org). The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on February 21, 2014 and will continue until the post is filled.

CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff. Women and citizens of developing countries are particularly urged to apply. To learn more about CIP please visit http://www.cipotato.org/