Research Associate

Rersearch Associate ( IITA-BI-TZ-R4D-016-NSR-AR)

Background:The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a member of a world-wide network of International Agricultural Research Centers. IITA's research focuses on smallholder cropping systems in sub-Saharan Africa. IITA has a regional hub in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania which co-ordinates the work of the institute in East Africa
IITA on behalf of Bioversity International is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to provide scientific support for a research project on the evaluation of new banana hybrids for agronomic performance and consumer acceptance in a range of expected end-user environments and target markets in Uganda and Tanzania, using a participatory varietal selection (PVS) methodology. This project is part of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) funded
project "Improvement of Banana for Smallholder Farmers in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. Bioversity International in Tanzania is hosted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Duty Station: This is a Nationally Recruited Position and the incumbent will be based at the IITA Offices in Arusha and will work under the supervision of the project coordinator/Bioversity Senior Scientist on Musagermplasm evaluation (based in Belgium), and in close collaboration with other project partners (based in Tanzania, Uganda, Belgium and France).

Main Responsibilities
The Research Associate will be expected to ensure the successful implementation of the participatory evaluation activities of banana hybrids in' on-station and on-farm field trials in five regions across Tanzania and Uganda, through training of project partners, conducting field research and data collection, and assisting with data analysis and publication. The position will require regular in-country and cross-border travels.
More specifically, the Research Assistant will:
Assist with training site managers in data collection protocols and mobile data collection methods;
Assist with setting up, management and continued maintenance of on-station and on-farm field trials, following established protocols and guidelines, with regular field visits to all project sites;
Follow up and assist with data collection in the on-station and farmers' field trials, following established protocols and guidelines, with regular field visits to all project sites; data collection includes: agronomic performance, pests and diseases, producer and consumer acceptance, post-harvest characteristics, and also environmental/GIS and socio-economic data;
Compile, clean and upload data from different project sites into the project database and open access data repositories; and assist with the analysis, interpretation, and publication of project results;
Compile and' synthesize scientific background information related to PVS methodology and varietal adoption, through in-depth review of peer-reviewed and grey literature;
Summarize the results of the performance of the improved hybrids into electronic cultivar information cards (on the ProM usa wiki platform, www.promusa.org/musapedia), contribute to the production of various other publications and information/knowledge products (in print and on-line), and assist with dissemination of project results, through stakeholder workshops;
Assist colleagues and project partners with administrative and organizational needs related to project implementation, such as, such as compiling project reports, organizing' workshops and consultations, and, ensuring effective communication among partners; .
Contribute in other ways to the genetic resources research activities of Bioversity International, as may be requested by the Bioversity Senior Scientist on Musagermplasm evaluation


Required Qualifications / Experience
Essential:
Relevant MSc degree in agricultural sciences/agronomy, biological sciences or equivalent;
Minimum of 3 years' relevant experience; previous research experience with banana or with PVS methodology would be an advantage;
Experience in working with data management systems; proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint); .
Well-developed ability to analyse scientific data; proven competence in working with statistical packages (such as R, SPPS
Well-developed reviewing and synthesizing skills with the ability to write clear and concise documents, including quality scientific papers;
Good command of the English language, both written and spoken; working knowledge of a local language in Uganda or
Tanzania is an advantage.
Strong interpersonal, communications and teamwork skills; courtesy, tact and the ability to establish and maintain effective
working relationships with people of different cultural and national backgrounds;
Well-developed administrative, personal organization and priority-setting skills;
Ability to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas;
Sound judgment and initiative;
High degree of adaptability and flexibility.

Desirable:
Experience in website content management (CMS or wiki);
Knowledge of GIS and modelling expertise would be an advantage;
Experience in an international working environment.


General information:
The initial contract for the position is for three years: renewable subject to performance and availability of funds. This is a nationally recruited position and IITA offers a competitive remuneration package.