research officer- innovation in agricultural systems to enhance rainwater management

Vacancy Number: A/012/2012
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration: two years with the possibility of renewal

General: The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality livestock science, communications and capacity building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development ILRI is one of 15 centres supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ILRI has campuses in Kenya (headquarters) and Ethiopia, with other offices located in other regions of Africa (Mali, Mozambique, and Nigeria) as well as in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia (Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam) and East Asia (China).

The position: ILRI seeks to recruit a Research Officer to support research on rainwater management strategies through facilitating communities, NGOs, and local government bodies to test, modify and adopt interventions to enhance rainwater management for livelihood and environment benefits in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia. This position will in particular contribute to understanding good practices, including establishment of actor networks in the water and natural resource management arena in enhancing rainwater management.

Main duties (Terms of Reference)

• To support analysis of existing water/NRM actors and networks at learning sites in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia with a view to identifying institutional constraints to improved rainwater management strategies.
• To contribute to development of strategies for engaging local and national actors more effectively to accelerate innovations contributing to enhanced rainwater management.
• To be responsible at field level for engagement of local actors in stakeholder groups including establishment and/or strengthening of groups, facilitating communication and developing rolling action plans at local level.
• To collect data required for effective innovation process monitoring at field level.
• Organizing and processing quantitative and qualitative data emerging from the field

Minimum Requirement:

Education: MSc. in a relevant discipline, related to social aspects of agricultural systems.

Experience: At least 5 years of relevant experience in agricultural research in Ethiopian highlands.

Skills:

• Skills and experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis.
• Experience of working with participatory research approaches, facilitation skills will be important for the role.
• Experience with contemporary monitoring and evaluation approaches.
• Social science research experience, particularly related to livelihood issues.
• Research communication skills or experience with communication and popularisation of scientific outputs.
• Collaborative skills, ability to work in multi-cultural teams, excellent oral and written communication skills (English).
• A sense of creativity and ability to work with minimal supervision.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa with considerable time spent at field sites in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia.

Grade: Level 3A.

Minimum Gross Salary: Birr 17,106

Terms of appointment: This is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Addis Ababa campus. Initial appointment is fixed term for two years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. The ILRI remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc.

The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, copies of relevant documents and testimonials and the names and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resources Office, ILRI, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Telephone: (251-11)-617-20-00; Fax: (251-11)-617-20-01. The name and reference number of the position for which the application is made A/012/2012 should be clearly marked on the envelopes if mailed, or on the fax applications. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing date: 17 July 2012, that is 10 days after the date of publication in the Ethiopian Herald.

To find more about ILRI, visit our Website at http://www.ilri.org

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply