Field Research Technician
Overview
This position is responsible for providing support to the Scientist, by
managing the AVISA regional trial network for AVISA Crops ((g/nut, sorghum,
millet, pigeon pea, Chickpea). This involves planning seed production for
trials, packaging and distributing trials, ensuring trials are established in a
timely manner, ship the germplasms to other testing site (in Tanzania,
Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and West Africa), trial data is collected and loaded
onto a data management system, maintaining assets used for the work
(vehicles, tablets for data collections, etc.)
Summary of
responsibilities
1.
Planning, Packing and Distribution of trials.
• Estimate demand for trial seed production and work with AVISA Nursery and
Seed Production (NSP) technician at Kiboko to coordinate production
• Maintain seed inventory and supervise short term trial seed storage at Kiboko
• Design and pack trials under the direction of crop breeding leads• Coordinate
shipment of trials to regional collaborators (Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia,
Rwanda and other west African countries) for timely planting (obtain import
permits, phyto permits, shipment quotes, SMTAs ).
2. Establishment Data
Collection and Management of trials
• Ensure trials are established on time (timely land prep, planting, fertilizer
application) at partner locations and planted according to the trial design.
• Ensure trials are well managed (irrigated, weed control, pest and disease
control) and that there is frequent communication and backstopping support to
trialing partners
• Manage accurate and timely data collection at different stage of the trials
in the field and the nurseries.
• Ensure accuracy of data entry and consolidation for analysis be the
Scientist.
• Learn and operate the Breeding Management System (BMS) or the Enterprise Breeding
System (EBS) in order to manage routine operations, data upload, data curation,
cleaning and preliminary analysis.
• Implement timely digital data capture using the relevant tools and software
as identified by AVISA management.
• Take responsibility for increasing the accuracy and consistency of trial data
across the AVISA network in ESA (Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda) and other
west African countries).
3. Supervise casual
labor
• Manage a team of casual labour at Kiboko to manage seed inventory, trial
packaging, trial distribution.
• Ensure team receive the necessary training to conduct their tasks
• Maintaining of safety and hygiene standards.
• Preparing muster roll and submit to supervisor and accounts for payment
processing.
4. Other Responsibilities
• Assist / train regional trialing partners based on their needs (data
collection, standardized nomenclature, use of digitization tools) and in
coordination with the supervisor
• Manage printing of packets, labels, tags and seed inventory
• Establish and maintain contacts with collaborating organizations and partners
• Participate in exhibitions, demonstrations, and field days.
Requirements
• BSc or MSc in Plant Breeding, Agricultural Sciences or biotechnology
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience in managing agricultural field activities
or research projects
• Good report writing skills.
• Familiarity with legumes and/or cereal crops and related research operations
(pollination, data collection from trials and nurseries, running breeding and
operational software, experience with genotyping sampling etc.) will be an
advantage.
• Ability to drive (manual gear) and travel independently in the region to
monitor the trialing network.
• Ability to manage
labor, estimate labor demand, provide supervision and training to field staff
to manage breeding research activities
• Ability to work independently with minimal day to day supervision and
proactively solve problems
• Excellent communication and reporting skills to line manager and colleagues
on station.
Terms and conditions
• This is a Locally Recruited position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive
remuneration in local currency commensurate with skills and experience.
• The initial appointment will be for two (2) years, inclusive of a three-month
probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon
performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be Kiboko.
How to Apply
Go to http://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies
• The application deadline is 18
July 2022.
• CV and Cover Letter should be in PDF and Labelled with the applicants First
and Second Names.
• We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed
candidates.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. Staff diversity contributes to
excellence
