Nutritionist, Dar-es-Salaam

Closing date: Friday, 26 June 2015

Position: Background and Responsibilities

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Nutritionist. This position is funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD-SC).

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (the Executing Agency) and its partners Africa Rice Centre and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (the Implementing Agencies) has received a grant from the African Development Fund (ADF) to finance the Multinational-CGIAR Project on Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD-SC). The strategic crops within the context of the project are cassava, maize, wheat and rice.

The overall objective of SARD-SC is to enhance food and nutrition security and contribute to poverty reduction in Bank's low income Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Its specific objective is to enhance the productivity and income of four CAADP's priority value chains (cassava, maize, rice, and wheat) on a sustainable basis.

IITA, the Executing Agency for the SARD-SC, wishes to use a portion of the grant to engage the services of a Nutritionist.

The successful candidate will report to: The SARD-SC Project Coordinator.

Position Responsibilities

The Nutritionist will undertake the following activities

• Provide leadership in designing, planning and implementation of activities relating to nutrition and health improvement;
• Provide technical backstopping to countries on nutrition and health improvement activities.
• Organize and lead training courses for different stakeholders as necessary.
• Compile, collate and prepare technical reports.
• Conduct nutritional analysis of cassava and maize.
• Conduct research in post-harvest processing, product development, food safety, and nutritional aspects of cassava and maize.
• Contribute technical expertise in post-harvest processing, product development, food safety, and nutritional studies as needed.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualification and Experience

The candidate should have a Post graduate degree (MSc or PhD) in Nutrition, Food Science or a closely related field from a recognized University and more than 7 years' experience in nutrition and/or food technology research.

Core Competencies

• Proven skills and experience in nutrition or food science research.
• Proven skills and experience in the use of participatory research and extension approaches.
• Ability to work with smallholder producers and processors.
• Experience with project activity implementation and monitoring.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent spoken and written English; knowledge of French would be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to write and publish articles in peer reviewed international journals.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, and multi-cultural environment.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the West Africa sub-region.
• Research experience in sub-Saharan Africa is an asset.

General Information

We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Duty station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of two years with possibility of renewal based on performance and continued availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Applications

Applications must include covering letter which should address how the candidate's background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant's current or previous organization or applicant's direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers

Closing Date: The position will remain open to June 26, 2015

Method of Application: Interested applicants should forward their applications with detailed curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format. The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include either the Head of applicant's current or previous organization or applicant's direct Supervisor/Superior officer at work and evidence of current remuneration package to IITA website.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from female candidates.

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted