The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a Seed
Systems and Production Specialist, preferably with extensive experience in
sweetpotato germ plasm and crop management. The pqsition will serve a new 3
year effort focused on the validation and scaling out of low-cost net tunnel
technology with farmer multipliers. The effoh 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 organization with a global mandate to conduct research on
genetic resources of potatoes, sweetpotatoes, and other Andean roots and
tubers, crop genetic enhancement and improvement, integrated crop management
and sustainable management of natural resources.
The position: This is a Nationally Recruited Staff
position managed by the International Institute of Tropical
Agriculture (IITA) Tanzania office, and based in Mwanza, Tanzania. The
project is also working in Zanzibar and Central Uganda. This position requires
working in collaboration with public and private sector research and
development agents to build capacity in the production of quality, disease free
sweet potato planting material and sweet potato crop production.
Key duties and accountabilities:
Collect field data (In collaboration with Mikocheni
Agricultural Research Institute (MARl) 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).
Provide training (in collaboration with LZARDI) to
agricultural research and extension providers in:
The siting,
construction and maintenance of net tunnels for decentralized vine multipliers;
The production
of quality sweetpotato planting material (Le. bed preparation, planting regime,
integrated pest and disease management, QDPM protocols); ensuring that gender aspects are considered
and incorporated into the training.
Backstop partner organizations (LZARDI, TAHEA, KOLPING) in
net tunnel construction, the maintenance and the production of quality
sweetpotato planting material, and the organization of demonstrations and field
days with selected 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.
Collaborate with the LZARDI monitoring & evaluation team
in the design and implementation of an effective monitoring system.
Conduct
joint (LZARDI, NGO, Government Extension provider) monitoring, and learning
visits to DVMs.
Identify any emerging bottlenecks to successful
implementation of the net tunnel activities ana work with national research
partner institutions to address those constraints.
Prepare brief bi-weekly updates for CIP and project
quarterly reports on a timely basis .'
Selection Criteria:
An MSc degree in breeding, agronomy, horticulture, seed
technology, plant science, agricultural engineering or other relevant
agriculture discipline. At least 3 to 5 years of relevant research experience
in managing a vegetatively propagated crop, preferably sweetpotato.
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 competence in both quantitative and qualitative
techniques. Proven capacity for 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 Initial contract for the position is
two years: Renewable subject to performance and availability of funds. Salary
will be nationally competitive. CIP prides itself on its collegial and
supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and
professional growth.
Applications: Applicants should apply by email,
sending a letter of motivation, a full C.V., and names and contact information
of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate's professional
qualifications and work experience to cip-nbo@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 September 20,2013 and will continue until the post
is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org.
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified
women and professionals are particularly encouraged to apply
