Job Advertisement: ZARI, Mt. Makulu Central Research Station, Chilanga

Vacancy Announcement:

1. Research Associate - Cassava Processing  Project (1)
2. Agricultural Markets Economist - Cassava processing Project (1)

(1). The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria invites applications from suitable candidates for the position of Research Associate for the small-scale cassava processing projects in East and Southern Africa.

IITA is a non-profit organization based in Africa. It works with national institutions to increase food production in tropical Africa. IITA is implementing a project titled ‘Small-scale cassava processing and vertical integration of the cassava subsector in Eastern and Southern Africa - Phase II’.  The project is funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) with counterpart contributions from IITA, the national institutions and stakeholders in Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia.  The project will develop the income generating potential of cassava by capitalizing on the existing, but unexploited, and profitable market opportunities for cassava derivative products in cassava growing communities in the three project countries.

Position: IITA seeks applications from qualified candidates to assist the national coordinator in Zambia in the management of the project. He/she will work with other national partners, cassava stakeholders and other colleagues to develop the income generating potentials of cassava in Zambia.

Duty Station: Mt. Makulu Research station, Chilanga. The candidate must be willing to be relocated to the location where the cassava processing enterprises will be implemented within Zambia.

Responsibilities: The primary responsibilities will include:

·         Assist the National Coordinator in the management of project activities.

·         Ensure proper implementation of all project activities through constant personal involvement in the implementation and monitoring of activities on behalf of the national project coordinator.

·         Assist the national project coordinator in assembling technical and financial reports of the project and submitting to the project regional office in a timely fashion.

·         Assemble and maintain all scientific databases collected during project activities and submit to the project regional office after approval of the national project coordinator.

·         Maintain database of all stakeholders encompassing all sections of the cassava sub-sector including their interests and involvement in the cassava value chain.

·         Assist the national coordinator to liaise with the project regional office for the purpose of project monitoring and evaluation, preparation and execution of annual programs at national level,

·         Assist the national project coordinator in organizing training, workshops, and seminars in relation to the project objectives.

• Carry out other activities as required regularly by the national project coordinator and the regional project coordinator.

Educational requirements: The candidate should have at least a Master of Science degree in Economics (special skills in development, behavioral or impact economics), Rural Sociology, Food Technology, or Agronomy

Other requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English.
• Proficiency in research report writing or evidence of peer-reviewed publication
• Familiarity with cassava production systems in Zambia. 
• Proven skills and experience in agriculture research both in the field and the laboratory.
• Computer literacy, financial and statistical data entry/analysis capabilities.
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
• Excellent interpersonal relation and readiness for team work.

General Information: The appointment is for 2 years, renewable every year for a total period of four years depending on attainment of high performance.

Applications: Candidates are requested to send applications to mukukaivor@yahoo.co.uk with copies to e.kazimoto@cgiar.org and a.abass@cgiar.org. Applications should include detailed CV, scan copies of their certificates, names and addresses of three referees and covering letter (not more than 2 pages) indicating interest/competency in handling the work and overview of similar work undertaken.

Closing date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

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

Only short listed candidates will be contacted 


(2). The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) with headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria invites applications for the post of Agricultural Markets Economist for the small-scale cassava processing projects in East and Southern Africa.

IITA is a non-profit organization based in Africa. It works with national institutions to increase food production in tropical Africa. IITA is implementing a project titled ‘Small-scale cassava processing and vertical integration of the cassava subsector in Eastern and Southern Africa - Phase II’.  The project is funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) with counterpart contributions from IITA, the national institutions and stakeholders in Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia.  The project will develop the income generating potential of cassava by capitalizing on the existing, but unexploited, and profitable market opportunities for cassava derivative products in cassava growing communities in the three project countries.

Position: The successful candidate will serve as the Business Adviser to the project beneficiaries as an inherent member of the project’s business creation team and will report to the regional project coordinator.

Duty Station: Mt Makulu Research Station, Chilanga but frequent travels to the other two project countries are expected. The candidate should be willing to work in small scale farm settings.

Educational requirements:

• PhD or Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Applied Economics, Agribusiness Management or other relevant fields.

Responsibilities: The primary responsibilities for the Business Advisor will include

• Monitor, evaluate and assess the impact of postharvest processing, product development, and other demand-creating interventions on the welfare of poor rural households, particularly the vulnerable groups within the project communities.
• Conduct surveys to document the adoption and diffusion of improved cassava production and processing technologies, and identify constraints and innovations for overcoming the constraints.
• Provide technical backstopping and assistance in improving the capacity of project national institutions and stakeholders.
• Publish the results of the research in strong peer-review journals annually.
• Conduct agribusiness management studies of cassava production farms and processing firms, including business planning, business performance appraisal/profitability and market analysis and evaluation of credit systems.
• Carry out other activities as required regularly by the regional project coordinator.

Core Competencies

• Extensive experience in business economics and management, bookkeeping and credit management.
• Experience in markets economic studies relating to agricultural issues, particularly in the use of econometric modeling techniques
• Outstanding ability to perform thoughtful critical analysis on market economics and livelihood related data.
• A strong peer-reviewed publication record.

Other Competences

• Knowledge of the cassava subsectors in Madagascar, Tanzania and Zambia.
• Fluency in oral and written English. Working knowledge of French.
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural environment.
• Skills in training of smallholder farmers, processors and other participants in the agricultural sector.

General Information: The initial contract appointment is for two years, renewable for a total period of four years depending on attainment of high performance, particularly on publication of research results in highly rated scientific journals.

Applications: Candidates are requested to send applications to mukukaivor@yahoo.co.uk with copies to a.abass@cgiar.org and e.kazimoto@cgiar.org. Applications should include a detailed CV, names and addresses of three referees and a covering letter (not more than 2 pages) indicating interest/competency in handling the work and overview of similar work undertaken including a list of publications.

Closing date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates. Candidates on sabbatical leave are encouraged to apply. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.