Field Manager (Yam Multiplication) at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Field Manager (Yam Multiplication)

Reference No.: IITA-HR-NRS2021-015
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (2 – year renewable contract)

Job Details

• The successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:
• Support scientists of the AfricaYam II project and Yam Breeding unit in the multiplication of true-to-type, disease and pest-free yam to ensure project goals are accomplished using high-quality planting materials
• Integrate new technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations including mechanization, bar-coding, electronic data collection and management, high-throughput phenotyping, and rapid multiplication techniques.
• Provide technical support, capacity development and training to the project.
• Contribute to the development and dissemination of training documents (Flyer, newsletters, posters, training manuals etc.).
• Collect, collate and summarize field, screen house, and lab data using electronic devices and management software to prepare reports, monitor multiplication rate and maintain accurate inventories.
• Liaise with other units for pathogen and pest testing and to obtain phytosanitary certificates for tubers or plantlets to be distributed to partners.
• Coordinate with Germplasm Health Unit and Genetic Resource Centre staff to establish and maintain virus-free stocks of yam for back-up, multiplication, and distribution of breeding materials.
• Supervise and coordinate the implementation of the weekly plan for research technicians and field/screen house assistants.
• Prepare protocol for the multiplication of seedling, vine-cutting and tubers in screen house or field and supervise the implementation of these protocols.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Project Leader.

Qualifications

• Master’s in Plant Science or related fields with a minimum of five(5) years relevant experience in a well-structured organization.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Be experienced in Semi Autotrophic Hydroponics and high ratio propagation of clonal crops.

Renumeration

• We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date
7th May, 2021.