IITA is an international non-profit research-for-development (R4D) organisation created in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Our R4D is anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty by reducing producer and consumer risks, enhancing crop quality and productivity, and generating wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 international recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit: http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA

IITA seeks to recruit 3 (three Research Coordinators for the Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification of the Next Generation (Africa RISING) Project. The incumbents will be based in the Northern Region at Tamale, Upper West Region in Wa, and Upper East Region in Navorongo, respectively.

Job Purpose:

The purpose of recruiting the Regional Research Coordinators is to assist the Chief Scientist of Africa RISING West Africa based in Tamale with various research-for-development activities in Africa RISING intervention communities in the three northern regions.

Specific duties of the successful applicant will include:

•   Establish and maintain contacts with collaborating organizations, partners, and farmers;
•   Support analysis of existing actors and networks in the intervention communities with a view of identifying institutional constraints to bring sustainable intensification in    mixed crop-livestock systems to improve livelihoods;
•   Assist with planning and implementing research on the agronomy of cereal and legume crops and integrated crop-livestock production in the savannahs of northern Ghana;
•   Supervise establishment and management of demonstration plots to disseminate improved cereal and legume crops, cropping systems, integrated soil fertility and pest management, and integrated crop-livestock production with diverse stakeholders;
•   Conduct regular field visits to supervise data collection and follow-up with partners;
•   Conduct agronomic/crop-livestock data analysis using SAS, Genstat or other standard statistical software;
•   Assists in preparing progress reports, technical papers, and presentations;
•   Support information collation for and preparation of reports and minutes of Research-for-Development platform meetings at different levels, field trips and field days;
•   Contribute to the development of communication materials;
•   Assist in capacity building of research supervisors, technicians.and farmers;.
•   Organise workshops, regional team meetings, and monitoring tours.field days, and researchers' exchange visits;
•   Assist with out- and up-scaling of project outputs;
•   Supervise research supervisors and technicians:
•   Report fortnightly to the Chief Scientist
•   Perform any other official duties assigned by the supervisor

Qualification Required & Experience

•   M.Sc. in agricultural sciences (agronomy, crop, soil, animal) from a recognised university.
•   At least 4 years working experience in agricultural research-for-development projects , preferably in northern Ghana and with internationally funded projects;
•   Experience with participatory research approaches;.
•   Experience of working with different stakeholders and partners;
•   Practical experience in field agronomic and/or livestock research and data analysis;
•   Good understanding of the small-holder mixed farming systems in northern Ghana;
•   Demonstrated ability to write and publish journal articles;
•   Ability to take initiative and work under minimal supervision;
•   Excellent spoken and written English and local languages relevant to the location.
•   Good computer literacy of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel. PowerPoint, etc.
•   Proven competence in working with statistical packages, e.g., Genstat, SPSS.SAS;
•   Good team player and adaptable to working in a multi-cultural team;

Location: Tamale,Wa and Navorongo

How To Apply For The Job

Applicants should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate's professional qualifications and work experience.
Applications should be submitted by email to:

iita.ghana@gmail.com

Closing Date: 21 July, 2014

Suitable qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. IITA provides an attractive salary package.