POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

ASSISTANT SCIENTIST – Agronomy

IITA-TZ-2024 – IRRI-011 -NRS

Job type: Full-time

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on behalf of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) invites applications for the position of Assistant Scientist – Agronomy

Background: The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is a nonprofit independent research and training organization. IRRI is a member of the Consultative Group of International Agricultural research (CGIAR) Consortium.

The Assistant Scientist will assist in the design of experiment(s), survey(s)and other research studies according to Organizational Unit specific project goals and research objectives. Manage the implementation of defined research activities. Evaluate and validate experimental data and contribute to reports and manuscript for peer-reviewed publications as well as presentations/posters for national and international conferences. Supervise, coach and guide scholars, OJTs, researchers and research technicians. Coordinate and prepare training sessions for a variety of stakeholders. Support the agronomy and extension research, promoting rural innovations, partnerships and liaising.

Duty Station: The position will be based in Bagamoyo.

Responsibilities

Assist in designing experiments/surveys based on the research outline provided

• Design, implement, manage and monitor research activities including necessary protocols, research tools, data collection, analysis and interpretation
• Monitor and manage the strategic collaborations around breeding, agronomy and extension research
• Exchange conceptual ideas with collaborating partners (national/international) and seek feedback
• Coordinate with collaborating partners on their research requirements
• Verify suggested methodologies and establish parameters
• Assist in the identification of support staff and assign tasks/responsibilities
• Ensure availability of services and supplies necessary to deliver research objectives

Manage the implementation of experiments/surveys and other research studies related to breeding and agronomy

• Provide assistance and guidelines/information to scholars and collaborators considering the implementation of experiment(s) including the logistics
• Assign, monitor and evaluate research activities/tasks performed by Researchers, Research Technicians and contract workers, providing guidance when necessary, for strengthening outreach programs, monitoring, evaluation, action research and experiments
• Maintain smooth conduct of                    experiment(s) by troubleshooting and fostering a productive teamwork environment
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Consolidate, evaluate and analyze research data

• Summarize and validate data using appropriate advanced statistical tools independently
• Assist in the interpretation of results
• Assist in drafting conclusions to enable necessary actions or decisions
• Assure maintenance of accurate data recording and update database for efficient storage and retrieval of information

Contribute to the preparation of reports, publications, and presentations

• Help draft project reports, prepare posters and papers for presentation at local and international conferences
• Contribute to the development of concept notes and projects for funding or technical collaborations for research and development jointly with relevant IRRI staff
• Develop and contribute towards documentary outputs like knowledge products and research document/ publications/scientific writing/policy briefs, summarizing research findings and draft manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals

Coordinate and prepare trainings

• Draft training materials using readily available published information (i.e. protocols, methodology) and also in collaboration with the partners
• Prepare necessary supply; identify resource persons; make sure that the logistics are appropriate for defined purpose
• Responsible for the professional development of Research Technicians

People Management

• Supervise the work of Researchers and/or Research Technicians
• Carry out performance appraisals of Research Technicians
• Responsible for the professional development of Research Technicians
• Supervise or assist students and trainees
• Perform other relevant tasks assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Key Performance Indicators

• Successful completion of defined experiment(s) or research studies within given time frame
• Research findings and/or data sets from assigned studies are timely delivered, efficiently generated and a valuable reference for future studies;
• Database is up-to-date, timely and quality reporting and submission of reports to relevant stakeholders
• Presented (paper or poster) to at least one professional conference each year
• Effective monitoring and guiding field technical staff, partner agencies promptly as and when required.
• Satisfactory preparation (material) and set up (supply, venue, logistic) of training sessions as reflected in feedback evaluations

Qualifications and experience

• MSc in Agriculture with minimum 3 years of relevant work experience around breeding, agronomy and agriculture extension
• BSc Agriculture with minimum 5 years of relevant work experience around breeding, agronomy, agriculture extension

Skills and knowledge Mandatory

• Has proven Technical proficiency in conducting research experiments.
• Has strong oral and written communication skills
• Has strong analytical skills
• Has some experience with Quality assurance
• Has some experience with Research management
• Has good presentation skills
• Has experience on data analysis and relevant statistical tools

Preferred

• Working experience in in rice fields Languages

Excellent English and Swahili oral and written skills

General information:

General information:

The duration of the contract is two years renewable subject to performance and availability of funds. These are nationally recruited position and IITA offers a competitive remuneration package.