Summary
Date Posted: 16th January 2019 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed , Employment Type: Full-Time , Currency: RwF

JOB DETAILS:

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) - a member of the CGIAR Consortiumm http://www.cgiar.org develops technologies, innovative methods, and new knowledge that better enable farmers, especially smallholders, to make agriculture competitive and profitable as well as sustainable and resilient. CIAT conducts research for development in tropical regions of Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) seeks to recruit a “Aflatoxin Research Associate" to coordinate the in-country activities of the AGRA-funded project “Making biological control commercial ready and incorporating its use in integrated management of aflatoxin in Rwanda". The aim of the project is to develop aflatoxin management strategies based on pre-harvest use of Aflasafe and good post-harvest practices for use in Rwanda. Position summary CIAT, on behalf of IITA, is seeking for an Aflatoxin Research Associate. In summary, the selected candidate will support final atoxigenic strain selection, lead efficacy trials (sampling, data collection, and analysis), lead institutional embedding; link with local farmer groups, extension services, and other local public and private sector organizations; lead awareness campaigns, training of farmers and extension workers in Aflatoxin management system.
Main duties and responsibilities include:
1. Specific duties
• Perform specific tasks to ensure that project outputs, milestones and deliverables are met on schedule
• Travel to lbadan and participate in the selection of four candidate strains to constitute a bio control product for further efficacy trials in farmers‘ fields.
• Once the product has been constituted, engage in product manufacturing activities in either in Kenya or Tanzania.
• In Rwanda, coordinate design, implementation and data collection and analysis of efficacy trials in at least 360 farmers’ fields.
• Train Rwandese partners on bio control research.
• Lead all microbiological, chemical, and molecular analyses of the field efficacy trials.
• Capture, summarize, and analyze data from the efficacy trials and work along with project scientists on the preparation of a registration dossier for submission to the regulatory authority in Rwanda.
• Nurture regional capacity in Aflatoxin research and monitoring.
• Aid in the design and implementation of campaigns to enhance the capacity of extension systems and farmers to promote management practices that reduce aflatoxin levels in the field and during storage (during on-farm efficacy trials with bio control product).
• Assist in the preparation of a commercialization strategy of bio control product. This includes manufacturing capacity, marketing, refinement of formulation to optimally use locally available FGSOU FCBS.
• Assist in the organization of an investors forum to call for expressions of interest for business opportunities.
• Assist in the Aflasafe registration and licensing processes of the bio control product to enable its manufacturing, distribution and scaling-up.
• Harmonize implementation of activities and planned budget with the co-grantee RAB and prepare technical reports for submission to AGRA in a timely manner.
• Streamline activities with other Aflatoxin-related projects in Rwanda and similar IITA projects in EAC countries where Aflasafe development is in progress or may begin in the near future.
• Work along the lead scientists to publish and communicate research results in peer-reviewed journals, books, workshops, conferences, and media.
2. General duties
• Implement and coordinate the activities of the project on behalf of IITA and the co-grantee Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) in collaboration with project stakeholders.
• Report on project progress to the project leaders as per the donors’ technical reporting requirements.
• Communicate with the project leaders and key project scientists on any constraints in project implementation in a timely fashion.
• Ensure timely delivery of activity outputs and milestones as per project work plan.
• On a monthly basis, meet with the lead scientists, either in person or virtually, to ensure project progress and technical quality.
• Support Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activities related to the project.
• Organize all necessary project meetings, workshops and activities.
• Ensure visibility of the project in research, development and policy arenas. - Perform any other tasks specified by the lead scientists.
The candidate shall have the following competencies, skills, and experience:
• MSc-degree in Food Science and Technology.
• Documented knowledge of and training in Aflatoxin management in maize and other crops in Rwanda.
• Vast professional network in the Rwanda Agricultural Research, Extension, and Development sector.
• Proven technical and financial project management skills.
• Ability to operate in international research for a development organization and multi-cultural working environment.
• Proven capacity to design, implement and analyze field, household, and market data collection activities.
• Training on biological control of Aflatoxin and Aflatoxin analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, French, and Kinyarwanda.
• At least 10 years of experience in post-harvest handling of staple crops in Rwanda.
• Experience in working with CGIAR and NARS systems in Rwanda.
Terms of employment:
The position is nationally recruited, will be based at IITA Offices in Kigali, Rwanda. The contract will be for three (3) years period, subject to a probation period of three (3) months, renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.

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Job application procedure
Applicants are invited to visit https://ciat.cgiar.org/jobs/ to get full details of the position and to submit their applications, clearly indicating position applied for as: Research Associate - Aflatoxin Project. An application Letter and Curriculum Vitae should be attached and saved as one document using candidate's last name-first name for ease of sorting. The CV should include at least three References, including the supervisor of the last occupied work position. Applications closing date: 29th January 2019 Please note that email applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.