Association
for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa
Recruitment
for EAPGREN Project Officer
The
Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central
Africa (ASARECA) is a sub-regional not-for-profit association.
The 10
member countries are: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. South Soudan became the
11th ASARECA member state in 2011.
The major
objective of ASARECA is to develop policies and programs aimed at deepening
co-operation in agricultural research and policy among its member countries for
the mutual benefit of all the stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
The Eastern
Africa Plant Genetic Resources Network (EAPGREN) project is funded by the
Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and operates under the
Agro-biodiversity and Biotechnology Program (AGROBIO) of ASARECA and it is a
regional joint project of the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of
the following ASARECA member states: Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya,
Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda.
It was
established in 1997 and became operational in 2003 and phase one ended in 2013.
We are
seeking to recruit an individual with high integrity, dedication, and
commitment to fill the following position.
Job Title: Project
Officer
Reports to: Programme Manager,
AGROBIO
Reporting
to the Programme Manager - AGROBIO, the Project Officer will ensure effective
and efficient plant genetic resource conservation and sustainable use in
Eastern Africa. Co-ordinate activities at national (8 countries) and regional
levels including capacity building in both gene-bank infrastructure and human
resource.
Key responsibilities
- Develop the Operational Plan, Mid – term Plans, Annual workplans and budgets for the 8 African countries and regional interventions of EAPGREN based on the identified priorities and strategy.
- Develop the network project research portfolio and activities. This includes development of the research calls from the EAPGREN constituency, organising the evaluation of submitted concept notes and providing technical and scientific guidance in proposal development.
- Co- ordinate the procurement process for EAPGREN Partner countries for specialised items/ equipment to be bought out outside the respective individual countries through back stopping institution in Sweden.
- Identify capacity building needs and develop a strategy to build capacity of the various partners.
- Identify training institutions and organise short and long term training for staff in the EAPGREN partner institutions. Review relevance on thesis areas to be handled by EAPGREN staff sponsored for long term training.
- Raise additional resources from various global institutions to support and organise capacity building for African Negotiators Group who negotiate on behalf of the region on global for a pertaining to Plant Genetic Resources (PGR).
- Provide intellectual leadership in the implement collaborative research projects to ensure quality and relevance of the research projects to ensure quality and relevance of the research.
- Harmonise the information and documentation systems of the different partner countries participating in Plant Genetics Resource sustainable management and use.
- Ensure performance reports from partners are received on a timely basis. Review the reports to ensure impact has been achieved in line with the memorandum of understanding and partner agreement.
- Prepare periodic technical reports, performance reports and progress reports.
- Prepare publications for journals and provide material for the EAPGREN website.
- Organise monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the project delivers against the ASARECA results as per the work plan.
- Synthesise global negotiation recommendations and share with EAPGREN partner countries and research communities.
- Provide technical and scientific guidance in genebank operation including characterisation / evaluation, documentation activities at national level.
Person specifications
The successful candidates will have:
- At least 5 years in plant genetic resource research/ bio diversity research, genebank management, conservation and participation in global PGR/ biodiversity debates.
- Ability to analyse data and extract reporting material; and
- Good understanding and appreciation of regional plant genetic resource conservation and sustainable use in Eastern Africa as well as agricultural issues.
- Good communication, presentation as well as negotiation skills
- A strategic planner with a flair for networking and collaboration
- Impeccable leadership and people management coupled with good financial management skills
We are
looking for a candidate with MSc in Biological/Conservation/Agricultural
Sciences and/or Natural Resource Management.
A PhD will
be an added advantage
If you
believe you fit the required profile, please send your application in
confidence to the address below by close of business Friday 04 April 2014.
Please
indicate the job title on the subject line and send your curriculum vitae (by
post or email) containing details of your qualifications, experience, present
position, current and expected remuneration as well as copies of professional/
academic certificates.
Include day
and evening telephone numbers, e-mail address, names and addresses of three
references to:
Head of
Human Resource and Administration
ASARECA
Plot 5
Mpigi Road
PO Box 765
Entebbe,
Uganda
E-mail: hr@asareca.org
For more
details about ASARECA visit www.asareca.org
ASARECA is
committed to the ethics of equality; gender equality, diversity, inclusion and
non-discrimination in all its recruitments.
Only
short-listed candidates will be contacted.
