Posted Date: 5/13/2014
Job Category: Global Conservation Agriculture Program
Position Title: Cropping Systems Agronomist /
Scientist
Type of Contract: Internationally Recruited Staff
Location: Kenya
Desired Skills:
Description:
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, at g.flores@cgiar.org
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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