The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid-Tropics (ICRISAT) is seeking applications from a dynamic and highly innovative Scientific Officer – Climate Services to conduct agro-meteorological analyses and contribute to the development of smallholder-friendly advisory services in partnership with national meteorological services, public and private intermediaries, and research organizations. These research-in-development activities will be part of a CCAFS-funded project on Capacitating African Smallholders with Climate Advisories and Insurance Development (CASCAID: 2015-2018). The Scientific Officer will be based at ICRISAT’s West and Central Africa (WCA) Region Office in Bamako and will be reporting directly to the CASCAID project leader.
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.
CCAFS aims to address the increasing challenge of global warming and declining food security on agricultural practices, policies and measures through a strategic collaboration between CGIAR and Future Earth. CCAFS brings together the world’s best researchers in agricultural science, climate science, environmental and social sciences to identify and address the most important interactions, synergies and trade-offs between climate change and agriculture. CCAFS is structured around four closely inter-linked global research flagships: Climate-smart agricultural practices; Climate information services and climate-informed safety nets; Low-emissions agricultural development; and Policies and institutions for climate-resilient food systems. The Program is focusing on five regions: South-East Asia, South Asia, Latin America, East Africa and West Africa. For more information visit www.ccafs.cgiar.org.
The Job
Contribute, through agro-climatic analyses, to a sound, trans-disciplinary science basis in the development and provision of climate advisory and agricultural insurance services for African smallholders.
Organize field interactions with smallholder farmers and intermediaries (NGOs, agro-dealers, rural radios) for the effective co-development and uptake of climate and insurance services using participatory action research.
Strengthen the capacity of national meteorological services staff in the use of new agro-climatic diagnostic tools, including the use of gridded satellite rainfall estimates, and help foster synergies between meteorological services, research institutions, and other stakeholders.
Assist the project leader in communicating CASCAID research results to the ICRISAT RDS program director, the CCAFS Flagship2 leader and other customers, including the preparation of peer-reviewed and public awareness material.
Be willing to learn the use of cutting-edge analytical and informational technologies including satellite imagery, ensemble modelling, mobile platforms and crowdsourcing approaches.
Qualifications
MSc in agricultural meteorology, environmental science, farming systems analysis or related discipline with field experience in West Africa.
Solid basis in statistics, quantitative analysis applied to climate and agriculture.
Agronomic experience, and business skills are advantages.
Superior communication capacity with English and French proficiency required
Leadership and listening skills, and a catalytic personality with a results-oriented philosophy to nurture the emergence of climate services from within
Interest and ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
Willingness to travel as per needs of the job and work extra hours in challenging field conditions
Employment conditions
The position offers a unique opportunity to engage with smallholder farmers and other stakeholders and collaborate with a range of scientists from various disciplines. The selected candidates will be offered an initial 1-year contract with possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance. The post is in category A of the NRS (Nationally Recruited Staff) category, with a competitive salary and other benefits.
How to apply:
Applications must be sent to the address icrisat@icrisatml.org no later than March 27, 2015. 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 April 2015. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.
ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer and is especially interested in increasing the participation of women on its staff.