Latest Job Vacancies in the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

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The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. We are recruiting to fill the position below: Job Title: Field Assistant/Driver Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2017-0023B Locations: Ibadan & Abuja Recruitment Type: National (1-2 year renewable contract) Responsibilities Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Assist in driving AfricaYam project vehicles to convey authorized staffs and visiting partners;
• Drive vehicles on errands for project activities and assist in the execution of projects activities in lab, screen house, glass house and field;
• Responsible for the day to day maintenance of project vehicles (cleaning of inside and outside, daily/regular check-up of the engine oil level, water level, the battery and the air filter etc.) and ensure vehicle documents are up to date and comply with minimum security operating standards (MSOS);
• Ensure the work areas are clean at all times and maintain records of each trip details in the vehicle logbook;
• Assist in land preparation, planting, crop management, harvesting, storage and data collection while assisting with general maintenance of screen houses, field trials, and storage barn;
• Assist in office duties such as photocopying, sorting of documents etc.
• Perform any other duty assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications

• O'Level plus valid driver’s license with at least three (3) years’ professional driving experience, preferably with an international organization.

Competencies The ideal candidate must:

• Be familiar with Nigeria and West African routes and be prepared to work extra hours and during weekends.
• Hard-working, courteous, and respectful. Ability to work with staff of diverse nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.
• Be computer literate in using digital devices such as tablets.
• Have good communication skills and fluent in writing, reading, and speaking in English. Have good driving skills.

Remuneration We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment. Job Title: Communication Assistant Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2017-0023C Locations: Ibadan & Abuja Recruitment Type: National (1-2 year renewable contract) Responsibilities Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• In consultation with the IITA Communications office; develop and implement communication strategies and campaigns to support AfricaYam project activities and improve the project visibility among investors/donors, partners, beneficiaries, and the general public.
• Capture and write up stories about AfricaYam work for a diverse range of stakeholders and publish them on social media platforms as well as other formats including video, radio, stills, website and print publications.
• Assist with purchase requisitions through Supply chain unit, ensure efficient travel logistics for project staff and provide support for routine office activities
• Generate/contribute written content and provide editing and quality control in the production of Publications and project documents such as progress reports, newsletters, annual highlights, R4D Review, among others
• Support the information dissemination and awareness creation through the Yam Community of Practice (YCoP) activity of the project.
• Create and manage the project’s social media channels, uploading information and materials;
• Monitor comments and provide feedback.
• Perform any other duties as properly assigned by supervisor

Qualifications

• HND/B.Sc in Communications, Journalism, Media relations or related degree in Social Science with Minimum three (3) years’ experience in print or digital media house preferably in an international organization

Competencies The ideal candidate must:

• Have excellent written and verbal communication skill (Fluency in French will be an added advantage)

Remuneration We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment. Job Title: Field Worker II Ref:IITA-HR-NRS2017-0023A Locations: Ibadan & Abuja Recruitment Type: National (1-2 year renewable contract) Responsibilities Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Assist in land preparation, planting, crop management, harvesting, storage and data collection;
• Assist with general maintenance of screen houses, field trials, and storage barn;
• Ensure vehicle documents are up to date and comply with minimum security operating standards (MSOS);
• Drive vehicles for project activities and assist in the execution of projects activities in lab, screen house, glass house and field;
• Responsible for the day to day maintenance of project vehicles (cleaning of inside and outside, daily/regular check-up of the engine oil level, water level, the battery and the air filter etc.)
• Assist in office duties such as photocopying, sorting of documents etc.
• Perform any other duty assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications

• O'Level plus valid driver’s license with at least three (3) years’ professional driving experience, preferably with an international organization.

Competencies The ideal candidate must:

• Be familiar with Nigeria and West African routes and be prepared to work extra hours and during weekends.
• Be hard-working, courteous, and respectful. Ability to work with staff of diverse nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.
• Must be computer literate in using digital devices such as tablets.
• Have good driving skills.

Remuneration We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment. Job Title: Research Assistant Ref:IITA-HR-NRS2017-0023D Locations: Ibadan & Abuja Recruitment Type: National (1-2 year renewable contract) Responsibilities Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Collect data from field and screen house trials with appropriate data capturing tools, prepare field book with appropriate tools, stacks data and imports into Yam data management system (Yambase).
• Assist yam breeder in the implementation of crossing block, generation of seedling and tuber progenies, clonal selection and field experiments including nursery and trial planting material preparation and management.
• Plant pollination, screening and yield trial plots in screen house or field as needed. Distribute germplasm to partners and maintain record of distribution as needed. Make crosses/pollination, harvest, process and store true seeds from crossing block
• Input data into field data software as needed and assist with plot randomizations and trial preparation for all plots
• Responsible for training of support staff and technicians at project partner locations in quality data management and disease phenotyping.
• Assists breeder in selecting best families and clones from different types of crosses, improves population, and maintain progenitors and breeding stocks.
• Perform other duties assigned by Supervisor.

Qualifications

• HND/B.Sc in Plant Science/Biology or related field with minimum of two (2) years’ experience in crop improvement research preferably with clonally propagated crops or yam

Competencies The ideal candidate must have:

• Applied knowledge in crop breeding and genetics, experimental design, crossing, screen house nursery and field trial management.
• Excellent knowledge of data management and statistical software programs.
• Demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships in research or project implementation.
• Excellent social skills, collaborative style, and ability to multi-task effectively.
• Proactive, innovative and creative attitude. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required

Remuneration We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment. Job Title: Research Supervisor (Molecular Breeding) Ref:IITA-HR-NRS2017-0023E Locations: Ibadan & Abuja Recruitment Type: National (1-2 year renewable contract) Slot: 2 Responsibilities Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Support scientists of the AfricaYam project in genotyping, phenotyping, in vitro establishment and multiplication of true to type, disease and pest-free yam to ensure project goals are accomplished using high quality data and planting material;
• Optimize and implement standardized protocols for leaf tissue collection, DNA extraction, and low-throughput genotyping for quality control, identification, and fidelity testing of yam clones;
• Prepare leaf or DNA samples for NGS-based high-throughput genotyping at external service providers or collaborators and conduct analysis of DNA marker data and prepare reports for AfricaYam scientists;
• Carry out field, screen house, or laboratory activities to evaluate mapping populations and association panels for agronomic, disease and pest resistance, and tuber quality traits;
• Collect, collate and summarize field, screen house and lab data using electronic devices and data management software to prepare reports, monitor multiplication rates, and maintain accurate inventories;
• Assist in developing user-friendly SNP DNA marker assays for routine genotyping applications;
• Co-ordinate with Germplasm Health Unit and Genetic Resource Center staff to establish and maintain virus-free stocks of yam for back-up, multiplication, and distribution of genetic populations;
• Perform any other duty assigned by the Supervisor

Qualifications

• B.Sc/HND in Biotechnology, Plant Breeding, Genetics, Molecular Biology or related discipline with at least two (2) years’ relevant experience performing similar role.

Competencies The ideal candidate must:

• Have applied knowledge in molecular genetics, plant propagation, crop breeding and genetics, plant pathology, post-harvest storage and screen house nursery / field trial management.
• Excellent knowledge of data management and statistical analysis software programs.
• Good knowledge of software used to analyze DNA marker data.
• Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes and ability to learn new skills quickly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required

Remuneration We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment. How to Apply Interested and qualified applicants should complete the online application attaching detailed curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format, the application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant's current or previous direct Supervisor, professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.  Click here to apply Application Deadline: 12th May, 2017.

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