Cropping Systems Agronomist / Scientist

Cropping Systems Agronomist / Scientist

We are seeking a dynamic, innovative and self-motivated scientist for the position of Cropping System Agronomist. The selected candidate will work as a member of CIMMYT’s Global Conservation Agriculture Program, and will contribute to a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional team applying systems approaches for agricultural research.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org

The position will be based in Kenya (Nairobi), with the objective of exploring alternative cropping and farming systems for increased productivity, efficiency, resilience and adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers in that region.

Specific duties of this position include:

• Work with the Project Coordinators and hub teams, as well as with the National Agricultural Research Systems and other key partners, to establish agronomic and mechanization trials and demonstrations, and provide advanced analyses to study the effects of sustainable intensification on system productivity, soil quality, water and nutrient use efficiency and pest and disease dynamics across the target area.

• Contribute to field and farm modeling of long-term research results in southern Africa and through collaborative efforts with other farm simulation groups.

• Help develop innovation systems focused on the adaption of sustainable intensification practices to the circumstances of small-scale, resource-constrained farmers in Eastern Africa and elsewhere.

• Collaborate with CIMMYT international scientists to analyze farmers adaptation and use of new machineries and cropping practices.

• Communicate research results to various audiences and in various forms, prepare technical reports, papers for publication and presentations of results of this research.

• Provide practical training to researchers from national research programs and extension agents in the principles and practice of sustainable intensification as well as CA equipment and machinery.

• Lead or contribute to the development of research proposals.

We are seeking candidates with the following academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:

• PhD in crop production, farming systems, soil science, agronomy, or other relevant agricultural-related discipline.

• Minimum 5 years' experience in managing agronomic experiments effectively on-station and on-farm, with broad disciplinary expertise extending to soil/water/agronomy; household/farming system analysis and modeling; geospatial research and small-scale mechanization-particularly for maize- and wheat-based systems.

• Solid knowledge of agronomic and systems concepts and measurements, process-based research approaches, openness to new ideas, an ability to think critically about agricultural interventions appropriate for different scenarios and the resourcefulness to find innovative solutions to problems encountered working in farmer fields.

• Demonstrated expertise with farmer mobilization and participatory research.

• Understanding of gender and social inclusion issues and experience with ways of addressing these in research for development programs in order to promote equality of opportunity and outcomes.

• Experience developing training materials and organizing and conducting trainings, field demonstrations, farmer fairs, etc.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience working and interacting effectively with a variety of stakeholders (field assistants, farmers, extension workers, public and private sector entities), and demonstrated ability to collaborate well across disciplines and with key collaborative institutions and agencies.

• Strong publication record in peer reviewed journals.

• Fluent written and spoken English.

• Hands-on expertise with agricultural machinery and demonstrated ability to trouble-shoot will be an advantage.

• Familiarity with Application Program Interfaces/decision support tools will be an advantage.

• Knowledge of East African farming systems (preferred).

We will offer an initial contract for three years, which may be renewable subject to continued need and funding for the position and performance of the staff member. Our internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.

To apply for this position, please email cover letter and CV no later than Friday, 6 June, 2014 to HR, CIMMYT (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate Position Reference number: 12349 in the header of your email).

For further information on the selection process, please contact Guillermo Flores, Staffing Specialist, atg.flores@cgiar.org

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.