Project Leader, Senior Soil Scientist At IITA

Project Leader, Senior Soil Scientist (DDG-R4D/PLSSS/09/13)

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the position of Project Leader, Senior Soil Scientist.

IITA is an international non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization established in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our R4D approach is anchored on the development needs of tropical nations. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

IITA seeks a qualified Senior Soil Scientist to lead a new initiative on ‘Supporting Soil Health Consortia in West Africa - facilitating wider uptake of better adapted ISFM practices with visible positive impacts on rural livelihoods’, operating in Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and supported by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). The initiative will promote use of ISFM practices to improve production and incomes of smallholder farmers. The project will work with on-going national and regional initiatives that are implementing ISFM.

The successful candidate will be expected to coordinate and oversee project activities and ensure that outputs are delivered according to an agreed results framework. A key objective of this position is to broker information and knowledge on soil health. The Senior Soil Scientist will also assist the R4D Director on Natural Resource Management in managing partnerships on soil-related issues within Africa and with the global soils community.

The successful candidate is expected to work closely with the DDG – Partnerships and Capacity Building and the R4D Director on Natural Resource Management.

Position/Responsibilities

The Senior Soil Scientist will report to the DDG – Partnerships and Capacity Building and the R4D Director on Natural Resource Management.

• Oversee and support delivery of Soil Health Consortia in West Africa Program.
• Lead the engagement of IITA in various African and global soil-related forums.
• In cooperation with the Capacity Development Office:
  1. Organize and facilitate training workshops and stakeholder meetings.
  2. Provide guidance for planning and developing ISFM knowledge sharing activities and facilitate processes for engagement of stakeholders, learning and sharing of ISFM knowledge.
  3. Develop capacity of consortia members to collate, analyze and synthesize ISFM data and information and develop information and knowledge products of effective ISFM technologies.
  4. Support soil data collection and management.
  5. Facilitate national and regional alliances to enhance awareness, data collection and management, technical reporting, management and sharing of information and knowledge, and effective stakeholder participation.
• Supervise PhD and MSc students.
• Compile technical and financial reports related to above initiative.
• Engage in soil-related CRPs (WLE, CCAFS, Humidtropics) in which IITA is engaged.
• Publish soil-related review papers and contribute to dissemination of research results and development outcomes to stakeholders.
• Support resource mobilization on ISFM and maintain effective relationships with key donors and partners.

Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a PhD in soil science, tropical soil fertility management, or related fields from a highly recognized university.

Core Competencies:

• Strong knowledge and experience with tropical soil fertility management, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical tools and database management.
• Demonstrated ability to write and publish journal articles.
• Experience with facilitating national and/or partnership platforms related to agricultural intensification; proven success in work relations with a wide range of partners, including research institutes, governments, and other development actors.
• Excellent skills in interacting with African and global soil-related forums.
• Experience with project activity implementation and monitoring.
• Excellent spoken and written English and French.
• Ability to work independently in a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, and multi-cultural environment.
• At least 10 years of post-PhD experience.

Duty station: Ibadan, Nigeria, but will involve extensive travel to mainly West African countries and countries in Africa.

General information: Initial appointment is for two years. IITA offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars.

Applications: Applications which must include covering letter, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three referees should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link:http://www.iita.org/irs-online-application

Closing Date: 15 October 2013

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.