New Job Openings at International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

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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 following positions below in Oyo State:     Job Title: Yam Breeder Ref: DDG-R4D/YB/03/18 Location: Ibadan, Oyo Contract: 3-year Renewable Contract Overview

• A highly motivated individual is required to lead genetic improvement of yam (Dioscorea spp.) at IITA.
• The successful individual will work within a team that includes scientists with expertise in breeding, genetics, biotechnology, social science, agronomy, seed systems, food technology, and plant health management.
• This team collaborates actively with national yam programs and universities in West Africa as well as research institutes in France, USA, and UK. It is expected that the successful applicant will lead the engagement of IITA’s yam breeding in these partnerships and with relevant cross CGIAR activities, including the Excellence in Breeding Platform.

Position Responsibilities

• This position aims to develop highly productive yam varieties and breeding populations with resistance to diseases and pests, good food and nutritional qualities, and desirable physiological and agronomic traits adapted to different agro-ecozones of sub-Saharan Africa, especially West Africa.
• The main duties of the successful applicant will include the following:
• Use of innovative approaches for the exploitation of genetic diversity and genomic data from a range of Dioscorea species in germplasm enhancement and improvement of yam.
• Integrating conventional yam breeding with genomics-assisted breeding in collaboration with biotechnologists.
• High quality research on genetics of, and breeding for, resistance/tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and enhanced nutritional and end-use quality traits.
• Publishing research results in high quality scientific journals and representing IITA in scientific and partnership meetings, including through oral presentations.
• Contributing to IITA relationships with partners in national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES), the private sector, and advanced research institutes.
• Fostering an effective mechanism for delivery of improved yam germplasm to NARES and the private sector.
• Co-supervising post-graduate thesis research with university lecturers and mentoring the next generation of yam breeders.
• Providing technical backstopping and other assistance in building yam breeding capacity of national programs.
• Mobilizing research resources through grant proposals and managing research funds effectively.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have a PhD degree in Plant breeding or related discipline and a good knowledge of genomics.

Core Competencies:

• Extensive experience in a field-breeding program, and adequate exposure to molecular biology to implement genomics-assisted breeding.
• A strong peer-reviewed publication record.
• Organizational, planning and budget management experience.
• Donor relations and project management experience including proposal writing and oversight of compliance matters resulting in continuously donor funded projects.
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
• Excellent leadership, mentoring, management, interpersonal, and team building skills.
• Demonstrated strong capabilities in statistical data analysis.
• Fluency in oral and written English. Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

Remuneration

• IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application attaching detailed Cover letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, Curriculum Vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the "Head, Human Resources Service." Click here to apply   Application Deadline 19th April, 2018.     Job Title: Head of Capacity Development Office Ref:DDG-P4D/HCDO/04/18 Location: Ibadan, Oyo Job Description

• This position reports to Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery.
• The Head of Capacity Development Office will be responsible for the coordination, delivery/facilitation and implementation of capacity development (CD) building services to IITA staff, and NARES aimed at strengthening their skills knowledge required to achieve agricultural transformation.
• He/she contributes to partnership, advocacy, networking and resource mobilization.
• He/she will identify and nurture such relations between IITA, government ministries and the implementing partners, focusing primarily on funding and program development.

Position Responsibilities The tasks are as follows:

• Provide technical leadership and management of capacity development of IITA, NARES and others in fulfilment of the Institute objectives.
• Lead/coordinate strategy development, implementation, and monitoring of CD activities, in collaboration with other scientists and project staff, as well as project partners; provide support to project teams technically and ensure the smooth coordination of partner capacity building.
• Manage the Capacity Development Office, including staff-development, work planning, direction and supervision, monitoring quality work, and evaluation of staff performance; set up and maintain a coordination system to achieve the best use of capacity development resources.
• Identify and develop, tools, materials and processes for specific areas/topics identified as needed for capacity development of staff and partners, which help the Institute mobilise NARES to achieve agricultural transformation.
• Establish and maintain a robust framework for measuring the impact of training provided by CDO, to include feedback from participants.
• Identify, develop and manage new income generation services and initiatives within the Capacity Development Team.
• Proactively develop concept notes and project proposals to seek out funding sources to augment the Institute’s programs in CD.
• Support collaboration and learning with implementing partners and government entities to apply emerging approaches and best practices in CD.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners, including senior-level officials of Governments, donors, the academic community and private corporations to promote the strategic interests of IITA.
• Contribute in the formulation, operational frameworks and implementation of youth and agriculture programs in consultation with relevant government agencies.
• Contribute to the management, operation and performance of the Partnership for Delivery Directorate to ensure it meets its targets and supports the delivery of organizational and strategic goals.
• Liaise with the HR on issues regarding staff development.
• Assist in the implementation of IITA’s ten-year strategy in so far as it relates to the activities within the Capacity Development Office.
• Any other tasks as may be assigned.

Educational Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agricultural education, business administration, communications, liberal arts, human resources or related field.
• At least eight years’ experience in a relevant management position and at least eight years’ experience with developing and facilitating training programs and/or management of capacity building programs

Core Competencies:

• Strong leadership experience with a multi-disciplinary, international or research organization.
• Proven experience of capacity building and learning theory and organizational development work in multinational settings in several capacity development areas.
• Ability to articulate and present material in a professional and effective manner, to a wide range of constituents including donors, government officials, private sector, collaborators, farmers, etc.
• Ability to find and mobilise resources to support capacity building work.
• Excellent communication, networking, and inter-personal skills, including the ability to interact effectively with donors, colleagues, research institutions and partners.
• Flexibility and ability to cope with changes in priorities.
• Sound political judgment and ability to be pragmatic and diplomatic with varied players.
• Good command of written and verbal English and French with ability to articulate a strong strategic vision.

General information

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Interested and qualified applicants should send a covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Click Here to Apply   Application Deadline 19th April, 2018.     Job Title: Financial Management Specialist Ref: DDG-P4D/TAAT/PMU/FMS/04/18 Location: Ibadan Program Summary The Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) is a program initiated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of its Feed Africa Initiative. The main objective of the program is to improve the business of agriculture across Africa by raising agricultural productivity, mitigating risks and promoting diversification and processing in 18 agricultural value chains within 8 Priority Intervention Areas. The program will be implemented by IITA in close collaboration with other CGIAR Centers, FARA, AGRA, national agricultural research and extension systems and private sector partners. It will involve close partnership between the AfDB and other developmental partners such as the World Bank, BMGF, USAID and others. This position shall be part of the Program Management Unit (PMU) team. The PMU will oversee day-to-day implementation of project fiduciary and administrative activities; organize the transfer of project resources to the institutions leading the commodity value chains; coordinate the compilation and review of reports from value chains and enablers for submission to the Bank; and elaborate/implement administrative and financial management guidelines/template to be used across. Position Responsibilities Main Responsibilities:

• To lead in all areas of financial management with the goal of ensuring that adequate fiduciary safeguards are maintained to assure accurate, reliable and timely financial reporting for the TAAT Program. The Financial Management Specialist (FMS) will be the head of financial management and shall have the overall responsibility for implementing and managing the agreed program FM arrangements as well as supervising all accounts staff of the PMU.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Overall lead for the program in the areas of budgeting, accounting, implementing internal controls, financial reporting and treasury management, and ensuring compliance with approved procedures.
• Lead the budget preparation process and present the program budget to the Program Steering Committee (PSC) and IITA.
• Manage budget execution, and controlling expenditure, to ensure that activities executed are in line with the approved budget and within the budgeted expenditures.
• Monitor budget execution and progress, including input to progress reporting for the program.
• Ultimate responsibility for the preparation of quarterly interim unaudited financial reports, as well as the annual program financial statements.
• Lead the development and regular update of the Program Financial Procedures Manual (PFPM) to standardize and streamline financial management practices within the program.
• The PFPM will also contain the relevant accounting policies and standards to be followed in the preparation of the program financial reports.
• Develop and implement business process improvement where appropriate, including computerization and automation of accounting and reporting.
• In conjunction with vendor, ensure the provision of training to project FM staff on any installed software, to assure its proper and beneficial use. Determine the software modules to be operationalized and ensure their satisfactory performance.
• Develop and implement appropriate treasury procedures, to ensure that the program never runs out of
• funds in the Special Account, and Counterpart Funds Account.
• Ensure that advances are justified in line with Bank rules, and monthly bank reconciliations are performed timeously for all program accounts, checked for accuracy, and reconciling items followed up promptly.
• Supervise all staff and activities of the program financial management unit, provide career guidance to staff, and conduct performance reviews (measuring subordinates’ performance against agreed targets at agreed intervals).
• Liaise with the internal/external auditors and follow up any audit queries or recommendations.
• Support the procurement process by reviewing and monitoring, in conjunction with the procurement specialist and the program coordinator, the FM aspects of procurement of goods, works, and services in accordance with the agreed procurement rules.
• Assist in field monitoring of program activities and help track physical progress of projects against their expenditures.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator or the IITA Director of Finance.

Educational Qualifications and Experience

• A qualified accountant with full membership of an internationally recognized accounting professional body such as CA, CPA, ACCA, CGMA.
• Possess a minimum of ten (10) years of post-qualification experience of which four (4) years must be in a similar position preferably working on donor funded projects.

Core Competencies

• Have familiarity with usage of accounting software in recording, processing and preparing financial reports.
• Have sound knowledgeable of IPSAS, IFRS or local accounting standards that comply with IPSAS or IFRS requirements, and application of those standards in practice.
• Have extensive experience in planning, budgeting budgetary control, and financial reporting.
• Possess knowledge and experience of donor disbursement procedures and justification practices.
• Possess good people management skills, interpersonal relationship skills, honesty and the ability to communicate fluently in English with some working knowledge of the French language.
• Must be a team player and have the ability to meet deadlines.
• Must be prepared to undertake extensive field visits in support of implementation.
• Knowledge of Oracle accounting system will be an added advantage.

Remuneration Competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars. Interested and qualified candidates should complete the online application attaching detailed Cover letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, Curriculum Vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the "Head, Human Resources Service." Click here to apply   Application Deadline 1st May, 2018.   Note

• The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers internationally
• IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from female candidates.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

   

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