IITA is recruiting for a Research Assistant position for an ongoing donor-funded project in Ghana. The successful candidate will work as a member of a team of research and development partners working with National Research Institutions, Cocoa buying companies, community-based organisations and farmers.

Main Duties

• Facilitate the development of research protocols for on-station and on-farm research design and implementation
• Contribute to the identification and selection of farmers and cocoa fields for on-farm research
• Support in development of data collection tools for on-station and on-farm research activities
• Facilitate data collection and management from the on-station and on-farm research activities
• Assist validating, improving and communicating research results to stakeholders in the cocoa sector
• Facilitate the engagement of producers and other cocoa private sector players in the co-design of toolkits relevant for the adoption of research result
• Develop work plans and budgets for field related activities on cocoasoils and other cocoa portfolio projects in Ghana
• Contribute to the recruitment and training of temporal field staff / enumerators under cocoasoils and other cocoa portfolio projects in Ghana.
• Provide leadership in managing temporal field staff / enumerators under cocoasoils
• Provide technical support for on-farm research activities of student/interns working on cocoa
• Contribute to analysis of field data
• Produce reports on workshops and meetings conducted under the current cocoa project portfolios
• Contribute to stakeholder mobilization and assist in sustaining the interest of both local and international partners and
• Any other assignments sanctioned by the project supervisors

Qualification Required & Experience

• Masters Degre (MSc) in Agriculture from a recognized University
• At least 2 to 3 years of relevant experience in on farming research for development activities on cocoa

Skills

• Demonstrated skills in undertaking research-for-development activities
• Good writing and verbal communication skills in English and other local languages in Ghana
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of statistical packages for data analysis
• Good team player and adaptable to working in multi-cultural team
• Ability to work under pressure and with minimum supervision
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills in an international environment
• Good knowledge of the cocoa sector key actors etc in Ghana is an advantage

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Applicants should send a covering letter and CV (4 pages maximum) explaining their interest in the position, relevant documents and testimonials and the names and addresses (telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate's professional qualifications and work experience.

Applications should be addressed to:

Dr. Richard Asare,
Cocoa Scientist,
IITA-Ghana,
PMB LG 56,
Accra-Ghana

Or submit by email to:

iitaghana@gmail.com

Closing Date: 31 January, 2018