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. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi-arid tropics is home to over 2 billion people, with 650 million of these being the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower those living in the semi-arid tropics, especially smallholder farmers, to overcome poverty, hunger, malnutrition and a degraded environment through more efficient and profitable agriculture. ICRISAT, established in 1972, and is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. For more details, see www.icrisat.org.
The Scientific Officer (Research Associate) in Agricultural Engineering will be under the supervision of the Sorghum Commodity Specialist. He/she will lead and drive the technical aspects of the ATASP-1 project in project implementation areas for Sorghum (‘Sorghum Hubs’) in Nigeria in close collaboration with other project staff. He/she is responsible for all field based agricultural mechanization and machines demonstrations and processes targeted at achieving ATASP-1 project objectives to improve Sorghum productivity and income at farm level. The processes related to this include: (a) facilitation of individual farmers and group training on different types of farm machines and implements including postharvest machines; (b) facilitate the adoption and use of simple machines in farmers’ fields and postharvest operations; (c) supervision of field-based staff and activities directly related to farmers innovation and change processes at community level.
Job Title: SCIENTIFIC OFFICER (RESEARCH ASSOCIATE) IN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
ICRISAT – Nigeria
The Job:
a) Facilitate Capacity Building on Good Agronomic Practices
Plan and implement capacity building for stakeholders (extension agents, farmers’ groups, technicians) on the use of small and medium scale machines and implements related to on Sorghum production and processing
Organize technical support for farmer on best practices and techniques as related to sorghum production and post-harvest handling
Identify and introduce appropriate machines and implements for drudgery reductions in sorghum production and processing in sorghum production hubs
Identify and develop appropriate partnerships with farmer groups, village-based organizations, government officials and other development partners that are active in the Sorghum sub-sector at village, district and state levels
b) Facilitate the Adoption and Use of GAP in Sorghum Farmers Fields
Promote adoption and use of appropriate machines and implements for drudgery reductions and knowledge to improve Sorghum management and their step-wise integration into farmers’ practices
Coordinate the formation and animation of Sorghum producers’ learning groups that constitutes the nucleus of use of appropriate machines and implements for drudgery reductions learning and dissemination at farm level
Promote participatory extension methods and group-based learning tools that encourage knowledge and experience sharing amongst farmers
Demonstrate new technologies and practices to increase crop yields at farm level
Promote the use of audio-visual and other multi-media tools for the dissemination of technologies that increase Sorghum yields in farmers’ fields
Assist farmer leaders to develop a critical capacity to observe, analyze, and to propose appropriate solutions to crop management problems challenges
c) Supervision and Reporting
Supervise and support field based staff including community based facilitators and farmers implementing field activities in Sorghum sector development hubs
Supervise in conjunction with other project staff as may be required, annual field surveys on the agronomic, socio-economic and livelihoods aspects of Sorghum farming, including data analysis and reporting
Write monthly, quarterly summaries and annual reports to the Sorghum commodity specialist or senior management as maybe required for purposes of program documentation, M&E and reporting to donors
Plan and carry out analysis of efficiencies and effect of introduced machines and implements at farm level
Contribute to project quarterly and annual planning meetings and budgeting process by furnishing timely information on the mechanization aspect of crop cultivation
Provide feedback and manage information to/from stakeholders (farmer organization, private sector value chain actors, etc) as maybe advised by project management from time to time to ensure adequate communications linkages are maintained between the project management team, the communities and other stakeholders
Desired Skills and Experience
The Person:
A Nigerian National with Master of Science in Agriculture Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Farm Mechanization or a related science, together with field-based experiences in Agriculture sector development projects implementation
At least 5 years experience in Agriculture research to development activities in Nigeria and a good knowledge of Sorghum growing ecologies and Sorghum producing communities in Nigeria with proven farmers capacity building, technology and innovation dissemination qualities
Must have previous experience in small and medium scale farmers production and processing activities and be willing to spend long periods travelling and staying in rural areas
Must have experience with community-based projects implementation and/or small-holder-oriented development initiatives are desirable
Demonstrated ability to carry out ToT capacity building and farmers groups trainings
Excellent written and spoken communication skills, including presentations
Computer literacy with proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications
Shows commitment to teamwork with minimal supervision by working positively and cooperatively with others. Committed to a high standard of performance, a sense of urgency and mutual respect and integrity
Thorough knowledge of Sorghum Agronomy, Sorghum growing environments and particular experience within Nigeria is important
The Reward:
This is an nationally recruited staff position with an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package payable in US dollars. The position is initially for two years, and extendable depending on performance of the incumbent and funding availability. An attractive compensation will be offered for the right candidate.
How to apply:
Applicants should apply on or before 25th May 2015, with a letter of motivation, latest Curriculum Vitae, and names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.
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