International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
POST: Junior Professional Officer
Specialist (Agronomy and Soil Fertility)
CLOSING
DATE:30 April 2012
TITLE: Specialist (Agronomy and Soil
Fertility)
SECTOR
OF ASSIGNMENT: Agronomy and Soil Fertility
COUNTRY:
Malawi
LOCATION
(CITY): Lilongwe
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 candidates from developing
countries – see criteria at the website of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign
Affairs: http://www.minbuza.nl/en/Key_Topics/Development_Cooperation/Associate_Experts_Programme
II
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND OUTPUT EXPECTATIONS
GENERAL
This position would contribute directly in
improving the productivity of Groundnut and Pigeonpea and the availability of
seed of new varieties. The current
research thrusts are Pigeonpea breeding and agronomy, Groundnut agronomy and
conservation agriculture research to determine the contribution of legumes to
soil fertility and diversification of household nutrition and incomes especially
for women farmers.
RESPONSIBILITY 1 (40%)
Summary of duties
and expected output
•Enhanced knowledge of legume
agronomy and soil fertility (40%)
•Identifying important aspects to
improving productivity of new varieties (30%)
•Understanding the soil dynamics
of the contribution of legumes under Conservation Agriculture (20%)
•Draw-up an action plan for the
areas of research identified (10%)
2.
RESPONSIBILITY 2 (30%)
Summary of duties
and expected output (max 5 bullet points)
•Develop protocols and carry out
experiments to validate the research questions (50%)
•Collect and analyze data from
on-station and on-farm trials (20%)
•Write project reports and
present at relevant workshops (20%)
•Investigate other management
options based on lessons learnt in Year 2 (10%)
3.
RESPONSIBILITY 3 (30%)
Summary of duties
and expected output
•Identify technologies that may
be made available to farmers to increase legume productivity (60%)
•Scaling-up of the technologies
using GIS and Simulation modeling for Recommendation Domains in Malawi (20%)
•Recommend future plans for
research on legume agronomy and soil fertility evaluation (10%)
•Summarize the results, write
reports and participate in dissemination of information regarding the new
technologies (10%)
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 and the major issues involved in the production of legumes.
The information generated from this work will contribute to the various
national strategies for improving household nutrition and increasing household
incomes of poor farmers especially women. The Specialist will gain experience in
working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural research team including NARS
Scientists and other Stakeholders.
Upon completion of the assignment
the JPO will have/ will be able to
•Field experimentation and crop
management
•Soil analysis and interpretation
of soil data and database development
•Data analysis and reporting of
the results
•Research planning and
integration of research results from available databases
•Development of project proposals
for funding
IV
SUPERVISION
TITLE
OF SUPERVISOR: Principal Scientist and Country Representative
CONTENT AND METHODOLOGY OF SUPERVISION
Immediate supervisor and the
Director, East and Southern 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 Agronomy/Soils
or BSc in Agriculture with at least 4 years relevant working experience in
Agronomy and Soil Fertility.
WORKING
EXPERIENCE:
Preferably 2 to maximal 4 years
relevant working experience, including internships and voluntary work
Familiarity with the UN System is preferable.
LANGUAGES:
Fluency in English is essential
and knowledge of French and any other African languages will be an advantage.
KEY
COMPETENCIES
•Extensive knowledge of agronomy
of tropical crops and/or soil fertility
•Simulation modelling
•Data management and ability to
analyse research results
•Self-motivated and analytical
•Scientific articles and report
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
VII
INFORMATION ON LIVING CONDITIONS AT DUTY STATION
Living conditions in Lilongwe, Malawi are
good. Housing is comfortable and secure and there is plenty of opportunity for
shopping, recreation, sport and dining out. Lake Malawi is about 120 Km east of
Lilongwe and offers several water sports.
There are good international air travel connections to Asia and Europe
and elsewhere in Africa through Johannesburg, Addis Ababa or Nairobi. There are
daily flights to Nairobi, Johannesburg and Addis Ababa. Telephone, Internet and
Email facilities are available both at ICRISAT’s country office and through local
suppliers. Medical, dental and primary education facilities are available
locally. The location offers a multicultural environment where four other
organizations of the CGIAR system are also located.
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, PLEAE REFER http://www.icrisat.org/careers/jpo1-agronomy.htm
