Jobs at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

DUTIES:

• Assess needs and expectations of seed users and contribute to a comprehensive long-term innovation framework for establishment of profitable and sustainable seed businesses.
• Develop, strategize, and plan with partners, interventions to drive seed yam innovations and increase uptake and diffusion of clean improved varieties.
• Ensure realization of activities aligned with marketing efficiency and last mile delivery of seed of improved varieties.
• Identify, document, and facilitate scenarios demonstrating the application or uptake of innovations that enhance sustainable yam seed entrepreneurship.
• Engage with internal and external partners and yam stakeholders to enhance innovative thinking and use of appropriate seed delivery models.
• Backstop seed stakeholders on their research and business agenda, costtracking and efficient documentation of expenditure across different seed production classes in support of the market development of seeds of improved varieties.
• Assist with the implementation of annual work plans regarding seed marketing issues and coordinate the flow of information to the M&E system working with partners in Nigeria and Ghana.
• Document success stories, case studies, innovative models, emerging from research work in seed value chain.
• Contribute to publication of research products like manuals, journal articles and research briefs.
• Submit monthly progress report including narrative report of the activities conducted, progress in achieving the set milestone for reporting periods, status report including challenges, deviation, alternate solution, and new initiatives.
• Perform any other job-related task as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

QUALIFICATION:

• Masters in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, strategy, Agribusiness Management, Marketing or a closely related field with a minimum of four (4) years’ experience working with seed stakeholders in Agribusiness, or market development of seed-related fields or related role in a well-structured organization.

COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate must:

• Have strong competence for conducting research, including the design, implementation, analysis and write-up of experiments.
• Have demonstrated ability to contribute to scientific publication in recognized journals.
• Have excellent networking, influencing and stakeholder management (external and internal).
• Be self-organized and entrepreneurial thinker.
• Have strong business acumen and presentation skills.
• Have a solid understanding of innovation and how it should be applied in marketing/ business.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Have high ethical and transparent work style.
• Have ability to federate around a common goal and work effectively with team members
• Have ability to work independently, be self motivated and work to tight deadlines.
• Have good knowledge on use of computer applications and ability to conduct data analysis using various methods.

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DUTIES:

• Participate in designing, planning and management of agronomy experiments in the screen house and on-station field for seed yam production using minisetts, mini-tubers, and vine cuttings.
• Participate in the design, planning and management of demonstration trials on certified seed yam production in collaboration with PROSSIVAYam Partners in Nigeria and Ghana.
• Provide technical backstopping to certified seed entrepreneurs, ware yam farmers, extension workers and Community Research Technicians on implementing demonstration trials for demand creation.
• Collect and maintain data on certified seed yam production activities including seed preparation, planting, scoring for diseases and pests, application of agronomic measures, labelling, harvesting, sorting, treating, storage, etc.
• Participate in monitoring the activities of PROSSIVA-associated private seed companies and certified seed entrepreneurs working with IITA PROSSIVA team members.
• Supervise the activities of daily rated labour on-station.
• Report monthly on the progress of planned activities.
• Perform any other job-related task as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

QUALIFICATION:

• BSc/HND in Crop Science/Soil Science, Seed Science, Botany or any other related field with a minimum of two (2) years’ experience performing a similar role in a well-structured environment with a valid driver’s license.

COMPETENCIES:

• The ideal candidate must:
• Be experienced in conducting agricultural research experiments.
• Be experienced in recording, handling, and processing data from research experiments and report writing.
• Have knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and some experience of using statistical software
• Have good interpersonal relationships, good documentation abilities, organizational skills and strong communication skills.
• Have ability to work independently and the use of any of SPSS, R, SAS or related statistical tools.
• Experience of using digital tools for data entry and knowledge of yam agronomy
• Have experience in working with partners in research and extension, as well as farmers.