The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) is seeking applications for a Research Technician – Agronomy position to manage day-to-day on-farm trials and crop monitoring operations in the Koutiala district (Sikasso region, Mali) under the STARS project (Spurring a Transformation for Agriculture through Remote Sensing). The Research Technician will be based at ICRISAT’s West and Central Africa (WCA) Region Office in Bamako and will have overall responsibilities to work in collaboration with ICRISAT scientists and scientific officers, NARS, NGOs, the private sector and smallholder farmers involved in the STARS site in Koutiala District.
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi-arid tropics have over 2 billion people, and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor.
ICRISAT is headquartered in Patancheru, near Hyderabad, India, with two regional hubs and five country offices in sub-Saharan Africa. In WCA, ICRISAT has its regional hub in Mali and country programs in Niger and Nigeria.
ICRISAT, established in 1972, is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. For more details, see www.icrisat.org.
The Job
Under the direct supervision of the STARS project scientific officer in charge of the STARS site in the Koutiala District, the incumbent will be responsible for overseeing the correct implementation of trial and crop monitoring protocols by collaborating farmers and NGO staff, and for the day-to-day collection of crop growth and development data with help from local temporary workforce and using scientific equipment such as LICOR LAI-2200, SPAD, Trimble DGPS. Duties will also include support to UAV operations including flight missions, data transfers, and equipment maintenance. During the growing season the research technician will be based in Koutiala for easy access to on-farm experimental sites.
Qualifications
BSc in Agronomy, Agricultural or Environmental Sciences
Experience at conducting crop trials in on-farm conditions, interacting with farmers and extension agents, and managing temporary workforce
Field experience with the collection, processing and statistical analysis of experimental data from agricultural experiments will be an advantage
Fluency in French and Bamanankan is required, knowledge of Minianka will be an advantage
Willingness to travel as per needs of the job and work extra hours in challenging field conditions
Good interpersonal and communication skills with pleasing personality
Employment conditions
The position offers a unique opportunity to engage with smallholder farmers and collaborate with a range of scientists from various disciplines. The selected candidates will be offered a 1-year contract with possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance. The post is in category B of the NRS (Nationally Recruited Staff) category.
How to apply:
Applications must be sent to the address icrisat@icrisatml.org no later than August 14, 2014. Applications should include:
an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae, with copies of degrees and relevant working certificates
the names and addresses (including phone/e-mail) of two referees
a motivation letter stating the date of availability of the candidate
Screening of applications will begin immediately for recruitment by latest-August 2014. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.