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Post-Harvest Specialist


Ref: 12-97 PHS/NRS/SWCA

Screening starts: Nov 15, 2012    |    
Unit: SWCA    |    
Location: Bangladesh    |    
Type: NRS

The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks a dynamic post-harvest specialist to support an ambitious research-for-development initiative that will use effective low-cost potato ware and seed storage to increase incomes of smallholder potato producers in Southern Bangladesh. This initiative is a new component of an ongoing multi-year USAID-funded “Horticulture Project,” led by CIP and the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC), that aims to improve incomes and nutritional health of smallholder families in Bangladesh through innovations in potato, sweetpotato, and vegetable production, marketing, and consumption.
The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.
The Project: The USAID Horticulture Project – CIP/AVRDC Bangladesh is designed to improve income and nutritional status of 100,000 marginal farmer households living in the southern region of Bangladesh.  The project intends to achieve its goal through varietal selection, innovative seed strategies, improvements in cropping systems and crop management, increased income and nutrition benefits at scale through more effective value chains and institutional arrangements; and new multisectoral and interdisciplinary partnerships. To strengthen potato value chains, the project is initiating a new component on low-cost innovative storage of ware and seed potato to help potato farmers gain better income.
The Position: The post-harvest specialist, who will be an agricultural researcher with experience of the physiology and/or the socio-economics of post-harvest and storage, will be based in Southern Bangladesh. Working under the supervision of the project Deputy Chief of Party, and in close collaboration with Sector Leader and Field Coordinators for potato as well as the value chain team the successful candidate will develop and implement strategies to improve the storage and marketing of ware and seed potato. One of the primary responsibilities of this position is to ensure efficient storage by community groups and households through evaluating different storage prototypes, assessing their technical and economic strengths and weaknesses and, together with engineering colleagues, helping to design storage options for large scale adoption in the target region.
 Duties and Responsibilities:  

  • Participation in a survey of storage and marketing practices for potato in the target region
  • Timely establishment of storage prototypes in selected locations in Southern Bangladesh
  • Monitoring and evaluation of performance of ware and seed storage facilities together with farmers
  • Participation in capacity building activities with technicians and farmers on storage and marketing practices, including business planning
  • Together with project colleagues, collaborating organizations and farmer groups, identification and implementation of strategies for scaling out storage capacity among low income potato farmers, with special attention to integrating women’s groups in the storage and marketing systems;
Selection criteria:
  • Master’s degree (or higher) in agriculture/horticulture, agricultural economics or other social sciences or a related field.
  • Minimum of five years of relevant agricultural experience including participatory research, data compilation, and report writing. Knowledge of the potato sector and/or storage management an advantage.
  • Experience of working for USAID or other donor-funded livelihoods or economic growth projects preferred
  • Computer literacy skills required in MS Office package, practical knowledge in SPSS or STATA is an advantage
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with experience of working in teams
  • Excellent capacity in spoken and written English
  • Flexibility, creativity, and the ability to maintain a rapid and demanding pace of work.

Conditions: This is a locally recruited position. The employment contract will be for three-years, renewable annually depending on performance and available funds. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full C.V., and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: CIP-Recruitment@cgiar.org . The reference name of the position should be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on November 15, 2012 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org .
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply