Field Assistant

Supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) is a non-profit organization that conducts socially and environmentally progressive research aimed at reducing hunger and poverty and preserving natural resources in developing countries.

The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility research area of CIAT (CIAT-TSBF) operates as an integral part of the CIAT research areas and has its offices located at ICIPE Complex, Kasarani, Nairobi.

The goal of CIAT-TSBF is to contribute to human welfare and environmental conservation in the tropics by developing adoptable and suitable soil management practices that integrate the biological, chemical and socioeconomic processes that regulate soil fertility and optimize the use of organic and inorganic resources.

Position Summary

The Field Assistant has the overall responsibility for collecting data on soils, managing field trials on the on-going research within the N2Africa project of CIAT-TSBF.

The Field Assistant will works very closely with project scientists, students and collaborators in managing the field trials and reporting results.

The position is based in Maseno, Kenya and reports to the N2Africa Research Technician.

Main Responsibilities:

• Assist in establishment and management of agronomic trials
• Assist in implementation of input response trials with legumes on non-responsive soils
• Processing of soils and plant samples from the field
• Collection of field data on soils, crop management and yields, socio-economic and farmers’ perceptions for each dissemination trial
• Data entry in Excel

Requirements

• BSC or Higher Diploma in a relevant field in soil agronomy
• Familiarity with field work and at least three years’ experience in collection of soil, agronomic and socio-economic data
• Computer literacy and data entry management capabilities
• Fluency in oral and written English and Kiswahili
• Valid Driving License and two years driving experience

CIAT is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment.

The position is on local terms and will be for an initial period of one year six months (18 months), renewable subject to three (3) months’ probation period, assessment of performance and availability of resources.

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees.

All correspondence should be addressed to the

Human Resources Unit, CIAT,
P.O. Box 823-00621,
Nairobi, Kenya

or via email: tsbfinfo@cgiar.org.

Email applications and CV’s should be saved as one file using the applicant’s last name and first name and should indicate “Application for the position of Field Assistant - Agronomy” on the subject line.

Applications will be considered until 10th February 2012.

Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:www.ciat.cgiar.org/ourprograms/tropicalsoil