The World Agro forestry Centre (ICRAF) is one of 15 Future Harvest centres supported by the consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). As a global leader in Agro forestry research and development, ICRAF’s ultimate purpose is to improve human welfare by reducing poverty, increasing cash income, improving food and nutritional security, and environmental resilience through improved Agro forestry systems. ICRAF has its headquarters in Nairobi and works in 16 countries throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The West and Central Africa (WCA) with Regional Office in Yaoundé-Cameroon covers a vast geographical area made of 21 countries with a population of 330 million people and covers a surface area of about 1200 million ha. The region’s activities are carried out in the Sahel, upper Guinea and in the Humid Tropics Zone. The Humid Tropics node (WCA/HT) has offices in Cameroon, DRC and Nigeria. The team consists of 40 permanent staff members and many collaborators from partner institutions. For her office in Nigeria, ICRAF is looking for individual to fill the position below based in Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.
JUNIOR SCIENTIST (with an in-depth knowledge in Agro forestry and tree domestication approaches)
Under the direct supervision of the National Coordinator with guidance of the research team in the regional office, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities
Implement agro forestry activities with farmer in the project sites
Participate in the research, development and testing of mechanisms for the diffusion of agro forestry tree domestication;
Assist in market surveys and research on value adding techniques for agro forestry products
Organize farmer meetings and farmer group activities; facilitate linkages between farmers and other stakeholders;
Organize training of farmers and extensionists;
Collect, enter and analyze data; write reports; participate in the publication of research results in scientific journals and other media (extension materials, technical notes popular journal)
Qualifications and Experience
- Postgraduate qualification in relevant discipline; Agriculture, Forestry or Natural Resource Management, or related fields including social sciences, economics, rural development
- At least 3 years of experience in research for development with a focus on agro forestry; some experience with marketing and processing of agricultural products would be an asset
- Familiar with participatory research methods and on-farm research
- Proficiency in office software applications
- Good Working knowledge in English, mastery of a widely spoken local language will be an asset
- Ability to implement multiple tasks simultaneously and work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience in cross-cultural working environment
Terms of Offer
- ICRAF offers a competitive salary and benefits package, and a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment.
- Women are particularly encouraged to apply.
- The contract is for an initial (2) two years, subject to a probation period according to the local law, annual assessment of performance and availability of resources.
Method of Application
Applicants are invited to send detailed Curriculum vitae, date of birth and the names and addresses of three referees (including telephone, fax numbers and email address). Completed files should be sent by email to icraf.aht@cgiar.org with a clear indication of the job title, on or before 31st July, 2009.
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Tags: Economics, Management, Scientist, Welfare