About our Organisation
CIMMYT is committed to improving livelihoods in developing countries.
Through strong science and effective partnerships, we create, share, and use knowledge and agricultural technologies to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems, and sustain natural resources in developing countries.
CIMMYT is an international non-profit research and training center with direct links to about 100 developing countries through offices in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
We participate in an extensive global network of people and organizations who share similar development goals, including the public and private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, relief and health agencies, farmers, and the development assistance community.
To provide technical support to the Conservation Agriculture Program (CAP) in Kenya. CAP, in collaboration with its partners (NARS, Extension agents, universities, NGOs, private sector, etc.) and with farmers, designs, tests and evaluates innovative cropping systems aiming at increasing productivity, reducing risk, and minimizing negative environmental impacts.
The Positions
The positions will be based at CIMMYT Nairobi offices.
The incumbent will work under the supervision of Scientist, providing technical support to CIMMYT scientists by carrying out the following activities:
1. Technical
- Organize, plant and manage maize-legume cropping system trials in Kenya
- Conduct, coordinate and follows up of on-station and on-farm trials in Kenya
- Supports to national program staff and national universities for field measurement (in particular: measurement of physical and chemical soil parameters, monitoring of soil water, measurement of harvest parameters)
- Working experience of soil analysis and soil water monitoring (using TDR or neutron probes) will be an added advantage.
- Manage data collection, input, quality control and validation
- Contributes to report writing, journal publications and presentation of research outputs from CIMMYT research related work.
- Builds capacity and provide practical trainings to national programs and national universities on field trials and field measurements.
- Frequent local travel and some occasional international travel will be required.
2. Administration
- Provide technical support to CIMMYT GCAP scientists
- Supervise field staff
3. Networking and Workshops
- Assist in drafting seminar, workshop and conference papers
- Attend and participate in project meetings, stakeholder workshops, and other events
Requirements:
- A Master’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Production, or Soil Science.
- 2 (two) years in the field of agronomy with a relevant organization
- Experience in use of SAS or GenStat statistical analysis software for data analysis
- Strong background in field agronomy
- Practical experience in conducting on-farm trials & general field layout
- Good communication (in written and spoken English) and organizational skills
- Ability to effectively work with minimum supervision.
- Working experience of soil analysis and soil water monitoring
- Clean and valid Kenya driver’s license.
- Ability to prioritize, organize work efficiently & independently
- Good interpersonal skills, strong team spirit, has integrity, is honesty & self-motivated.
- Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Terms of offer
The World Agroforestry Centre is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment.
We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women.
These positions are on local terms and will be for an initial period of two (2) years, renewable subject to six (6) months’ probation period, assessment of performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of resources.
How to apply
Applications for the position must include:
- A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements and salary expectations
- A detailed curriculum vitae
- The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email addresses.
All correspondence should be addressed to the Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya OR via email: icrafhru@cgiar.org and should indicate “Application for Research Technician - CIMMYT” on their application letters and email submissions.
Applications will be considered until 15 September 2012.
Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and ICRAF by accessing our web sites www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org