The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security on a sustained basis in developing countries through scientific research and related activities on potato, sweetpotato and other root and tuber crops, and on the improved management of natural resources in the Andes and other mountain areas.

CIP is a Future Harvest Center supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). CIP headquarters are in Lima, Peru and its regional headquarters in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in Nairobi, Kenya.

CIP scientists are also based in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.

In Ghana, CIP offices are located at CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kumasi, and at CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institutute, Tamale. Our efforts in the region are focused on research for the improvement of the resilient, nutritious sweetpotato for health.

Job Summary

Research Information Systems and Data Management Support

In order to improve IT and data management support to sweetpotato researchers in Ghana, the Research Information Specialist will work with users and developers of research tools in Ghana, in consultation with CIP’s regional and global IT and Data Management Specialists.

The tasks and responsibilities will include:

•   Support our in-house breeding information systems - CloneSelector (Excel, VBA, R) and AccuDataLog (VB.Net)
•   Provide support to users on a smartphone based monitoring system
•   Provide first level ICT user support to all users in the CIP-Ghana office
•   Assist with management of agrometeorological equipment, ensuring adequate deployment, maintenance and collection of data.
•   Assist in data management tasks and ensure that all science data is properly documented and backed up

Duty Station: CIP office at CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kumasi

Conditions:

•   This is a local position.
•   The employment initially be on a consultancy basis for a 6-month term, with the possibility of continuation under a longer-term contract.

Qualification Required & Experience

You possess the following technical skills and interests:

•   Computer science/IT degree (min. bachelor)
•   IT experience: preferably approx. 1 - 2 years
•   Experience with user support and development of users guides
•   Experience using open source technologies
•   Knowledge of statistics and statistical software an advantage as is interest in agricultural research for development
•   Fluent in English and knowledge of French an advantage
•   Strong focus on meeting users requirements and deadlines
•   Open-minded when it comes to learning and adopting new technologies
•   Not afraid of teamwork, and also comfortable working independently

Location: Kumasi

How To Apply For The Job

Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of two referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to Ted Carey (e.carey@cgiar.org) and Muhammed-Awal Zakaria (m.zakaria@cgiar.org).

Closing Date: 11 June, 2015

•   The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message.
•   Screening of applications will begin as applications are received and continue till position is filled.
•   Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff.