International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
POST: Junior Professional Officer
Specialist (Technology Transfer)
CLOSING
DATE: 30 April 2012
TITLE: Specialist (Technology Transfer)
SECTOR
OF ASSIGNMENT: Technology Transfer
COUNTRY: Kenya
LOCATION
(CITY): Nairobi
AGENCY:
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
DURATION
OF ASSIGNMENT: Initially one year with the possibility to extend up to 3
years
GRADE:
P1 step 1 or P2 step 1 in the first year, depending on the level of education
and relevant working experience
NOTE:
this post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO)
scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is addressed
exclusively to people with the Dutch nationality. For criteria see the website
of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
II
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND OUTPUT EXPECTATIONS
GENERAL
A recent analysis (1Harris and Orr, 2012) has
shown that net returns from rainfed cropping can be increased substantially in
percentage terms if smallholder farmers adopt improved technologies. However,
the absolute amounts of income available to households with small farms (the
majority in SSA) from crop production are small and livelihoods almost
invariably also depend on other sources of income, including that from off
farm. The relative failure of resource-poor farmers to adopt improved
technologies, particularly those involving significant investments of cash
and/or labour, might be associated with this ‘part-time farmer’ problem.
Generally, researchers and extension agents make the assumptions that:
•Farmers will make decisions on
the basis that crop production is the only enterprise that they are involved
in. Trade-off analysis recognizes this to some extent but has yet to consider
the implications of the Harris and Orr analysis.
•Technologies are generally
scale-neutral. This is clearly not the case for small farms where, for
instance, households have a minimum requirement for a staple crop (usually a
cereal) that implies, for a given yield level, a minimum physical space that
has serious knock-on effects for inclusion
of other crops such as legumes in the system. Crop rotation – widely
promoted – becomes problematic in this context, as does efficient
intercropping.
•Farmers will invest in new
technologies if benefit:cost ratios are favorable. Even if true, the
attractiveness of any ratio may vary according to the risk involved and the
absolute value of the investment required.
RESPONSIBILITY 1
(40% TIME)
Summary of duties
and expected output
•Study the existing household
survey databases (50%)
•Study the ICRISAT trade-off
research activities (50%)
2.
RESPONSIBILITY 2 (30% TIME)
Summary of duties
and expected output
•Investigate the factors
affecting adoption of technologies (60%)
•Constraint analysis and problem
diagnosis (40%)
3.
RESPONSIBILITY 3 (30% TIME)
Summary of duties
and expected output
•Development and testing of
practical ways to overcome the constraints (60%)
•Increase the adoption by
smallholder farmers of technologies (and/or other strategies) that will
increase household income and improve rural livelihoods (40%)
III
LEARNING ELEMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
The JPO learning programme includes the
following elements:
During the years of service the
Specialist will learn and develop practical knowledge of working with
smallholder farmers, other stakeholders and the major issues involved in the
technology transfer process. The information generated from this work will
contribute to the various national strategies for technology transfer. The Specialist
will gain experience in working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural
research team.
The specialist will participate
in all planning meetings of the research team, seminars, scientific workshops
and symposia. S/he will be requested to prepare and give seminars on topics of
her/his own work as well as integrating other researchers’ results/information
on technology transfer. In addition, the incumbent will participate in
stakeholders meetings, integrating issues related to technology transfer into
the research strategy.
Training in various aspects of
research will be provided as necessary and will include use of computer models
designed to quantify the benefits of trade-offs between livelihood components.
More specifically, training in and application of the Tradeoff Analysis model
for Multi-Dimensional impact assessment (TOA-MD) is foreseen. The TOA-MD model
is a parsimonious, generic model for analysis of technology adoption and impact
assessment (e.g. Claessens et al., 2009, 2010), ecosystem services
analysis(e.g. Antle and Stoorvogel, 2008) and climate change and adaptation
impact assessment. The TOA-MD model simulates technology adoption and impact in
a population of heterogeneous farms (more information at
www.tradeoffs.oregon.edu).
Upon completion of the assignment
the JPO will have/ will be able to:
•Gain practical knowledge of
working with smallholder farmers, other stakeholders and the major issues
involved in the technology transfer process.
•Use the application of the
Tradeoff Analysis model for Multi-Dimensional impact assessment (TOA-MD)
•Publish reports and research
papers on technology transfer
•Gain experience in working in a
multidisciplinary and multicultural research team.
IV
SUPERVISION
TITLE
OF SUPERVISOR: DOCTORATE; PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST
CONTENT
AND METHODOLOGY OF SUPERVISION
Immediate supervisor and the
Director, East and Central Africa will supervise the Specialist. Evaluation will take place each year. The candidate will be asked to fill a standard
performance evaluation form of ICRISAT. The supervisor will discuss with the
candidate about the activities, achievements and constraints in carrying out
the agreed activities. The specialist will participate in all planning meetings
of the research team, seminars, scientific workshops and symposia. He/she will
be requested to prepare and give seminars on topics of his/her own work as well
as integrating other researcher’s results/information on technology. In
addition, the incumbent will participate in stakeholders meetings, integrating
issues related to technology transfer into the research strategy.
V
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION:
Master degree in Agricultural
Economics and/or Natural Resource Management
WORKING
EXPERIENCE:
Preferably 2 to maximal 4 years
relevant working experience, including internships and voluntary work.
LANGUAGES:
Fluency in English is essential
and knowledge of French and any other African languages will be an advantage.
KEY
COMPETENCIES
•Knowledge of micro-economics in
relation to natural resources management.
•Enquiring mind
•Data management and ability to
analyse research results
•Independent and original
thinking
•Scientific articles and reports
writing
VI
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON AGENCY/DEPARTMENT/SECTION
The International Crops Research Institute for
the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a non-profit, non-political organization
that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan
Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. It belongs to the
Consortium of Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICRISAT
is headquartered in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, with two regional hubs
one each for East and Central Africa at Nairobi, Kenya and West and Central
Africa at Bamako, Mali and four country offices at Niger, Nigeria, Malawi and
Zimbabwe in Sub-Saharan Africa. ICRISAT staff collaborates closely with NARES,
sister IARCs, ARIs, NGOs and private sector organizations. Please visit our website: WWW.ICRISAT.ORG
The ICRISAT genebank conserves
119,739 germplasm accessions of its five mandate crops and six small millets.
This includes accessions of related wild species of sorghum (458), pearl millet
(750), finger millet (105) and foxtail millet (54). Majority of these
accessions needs systematic characterization/evaluation for enhanced use in
crop improvement.
VII
INFORMATION ON LIVING CONDITIONS AT DUTY STATION
Living conditions in Nairobi, Kenya are good.
Housing is comfortable and there is plenty of opportunity for shopping,
recreation, sport and dining out. There
are good international air travel connections.
Medical, dental and primary education facilities are available
locally.
VIII
HOW TO APPLY
Applications including curriculum vitae
(giving contact address with email Id, date of birth, nationality, marital
status – if married with spouse and children details), list of publications,
and names and addresses of three referees should be sent to Human Resources,
ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India, by email to: icrisatjobs@cgiar.org before 30 April 2012.
Applicants will receive
acknowledgement of receipt of their submission. Only shortlisted candidates
will be contacted.
FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER http://www.icrisat.org/careers/jpo1-technology-specialist.htm
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