HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTRE

(Ref. No. IRS/161/062016)

 

HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTRE

 

icipe — African Insect Science for Food and Health is a world-class research centre with a mission to alleviatepoverty by ensuring food security, improving health, protecting the environment and building the capacity of researchers and communities across the developing world through the application of insect sciences. Employing more than 500 national and international staff, icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with outposts in Ethiopia and on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. icipe has a proud reputation and history of delivering world-quality science that has made crucial contributions to African food and health policy, delivered development outcomes to rural communities, and has been at the forefront of building Africa’s biological research capacity. The Centre’s research activities span the African continent with partnerships linking research organisations, not only across Africa, but also the globe. In addition, more than 150 graduate students and a number of postdoctoral fellows contribute to icipe’s research portfolio annually. For more information visit: www.icipe.org

 

In line with icipe’s Vision and Strategy 2013–2020 (http://www.icipe.org/system/files_force/about/corporate_publications_files/icipe_Vision_and_Strategy_2013-2020.pdf),icipewishes to recruit a highly motivated individualfor a new position, Head of Technology Resource Centre, tenable in Nairobi at icipe’s Duduville campus. The appointment will initially be for two years, with a possibility of extension after successfully completing a six-month probation period of the first contract. Frequent travel to neighbouring countries is required.

 

A competitive and generous compensation package that includes housing and transport allowances, child education allowance up to university first degree, comprehensive health and life insurance, an offshore retirement package, all payable in US Dollars, will be offered to the right candidate. Furthermore, the incumbent will receive a paid vacation/annual airfare, and duty free privileges. If the successful candidate is appointed from outside Kenya, he or she will be offered support to relocate and settle in the city. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

 

Living in Nairobi

 

Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, with a population of over three million and plentiful supermarkets, malls, bars and restaurants, as well as many parks and open spaces. Although it is important to be conscious of security, Kenyans are warm and welcoming.

 

Nairobi has a thriving international research scene, hosting various CGIAR centres and several UN agencies. icipe employs a number of international staff.

 

Overall purpose of the job

 

The overall purpose of the job is to head a new Technology Resource Centre incubated at icipe, to identify and manage strategic partnerships for scale-out of icipe-developed technologies in Africa. This position is initally funded under a new three-year project focusing on the scale-out of the Centre’s integrated pest and weed management system, Push–Pull (www.push-pull.net), beyond Kenya. The successful candidate will work closely with the Push–Pull technical team located at icipe’s Mbita Point campus on the shores of Lake Victoria, western Kenya, and the Biovision Africa Trust, based at the icipe Duduville campus, in charge of community outreach in the target countries identified. Reporting to the Director of Research and Partnerships, the candidate will have the opportunity to provide important leadership in advancing the dissemination and adoption of sustainable agricultural solutions for achieving the SDGs in the post-2015 development agenda.

 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and manage an extensive network of partners to support the adoption and scale-out of icipe-developed technologies.
• Establish entry points for strategic engagement in new countries and with new partners.
• Liaise with regional and international agricultural organisations.
• Generate policy support for the adoption of Push–Pull in the region.
• Provide feedback to implementing partners.
• Ensure overall sustainability of partnerships, and contribute to additional resource mobilisation efforts.

Knowledge required for performing the job

• Demonstrated technical competence in one or more of the following areas: agricultural development, knowledge diffusion, communication, marketing, and business development.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, with at least five years of experience in managing strategic partnerships.
• Minimum of three years’ experience as a manager working in a multidisciplinary environment. 
• Extensive network relating to technology adoption in Africa an advantage. 
• Excellent oral and written English language skills. Ability to speak French or Portuguese an advantage.
• Proven experience in successful management of donor funds.

Other desirable attributes

• Possesses entrepreneurial spirit and a self-starter.

Reporting

• This position reports to the Director of Research and Partnerships.

The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Applications will be accepted up to 15th July 2016, or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier.

 

Interested applicants should submit: (a) a confidential cover letter, (b) detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers), and (c) a statement illustrating suitability against the listed qualifications/competencies/abilities and skills.

 

Candidates are required to apply online through: http://recruit.icipe.org

 

icipe is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values genderequity, teamwork, and respect for diversity.