World Vegetable Center Job Vacancy; Research Coordinator for Action Sites - Uganda

Job Title:    Research Coordinator for Action Sites - Uganda
Job Location:    Kampala, Uganda
Employer:    World Vegetable Center (AVRDC)

About Us
AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center is a nonprofit, autonomous international agricultural research center with headquarters in Taiwan and regional offices around the globe. AVRDC conducts research and development programs that contribute to alleviating poverty and malnutrition in the developing world through the increased production and consumption of nutritious and health- promoting vegetables. AVRDC's office for Eastern and Southern Africa is located in Arusha, Tanzania.

Humidtropics is, a Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) research program on integrated agricultural systems for the humid tropics. AVRDC is a key partner along with the CGIAR Centers IITA, ILRI, ICRAF, IWMI, CIP, CIAT and Bioversity and other advanced research institutions (Wageningen University, icipe, FARA and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) in implementing this program. The program, which is led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), is a global initiative aimed at helping poor farm families, particularly those led by women, in tropical Africa, Asia and Americas to boost their income from integrated agricultural systems' intensification while preserving their land for future generations. The program focuses on four worldwide action areas, including the East and Central Africa Highlands. In Uganda, two action sites have been identified (Kiboga/Kyankwanzi and Mukono/Wasiko).

The importance of vegetables in a farming systems approach within the Humidtropics programs has been identified in Uganda. Therefore, AVRDC is looking for a Research Coordinator for Action Sites - Uganda. The position will be based at IITA in Kampala, Uganda. The Coordinator will be supervised by AVRDC's Program Leader for Humidtropics.

Key responsibilities

• The Coordinator's prime responsibility will be to research, adapt and implement vegetable-based solutions in the action sites in Uganda. The Coordinator will be the main linkage between AVRDC's regional office for Eastern and Southern Africa in Tanzania and Uganda.

Main activities

•     Provide day-to-day management of assigned surveys, trials and other activities, including administrative and logistical oversight and build strong relationships with local and international partners.
•     In collaboration with other international and national partner institutions of the Humidtropics program, access the potential for intensive integration of vegetables into both homestead food (vegetables, staples, fruit and tree crops and livestock) and commercial farming production systems aimed at improving the livelihood and nutrition of poor households.
•     Assist AVRDC scientists in organizing and conducting research experiments including encoding and compilation of data, data entry and statistical analysis.
•     Assist in organizing on-station and on-farm training of program beneficiaries.
•     Identify options for improving vegetable seed access to smallholders by seeking, building and strengthening partnerships with public and private seed sector institutions for greatest impact at the Ugandan action sites.
•     Assist in organizing and conducting demand creation, outreach and promotional activities, such as seed fairs and field days to promote the development and adoption of improved vegetable- based practices.
•     Assist in providing information for development of monitoring and evaluation analytical tools, and subsequent data collection aimed at documenting outcomes and impact of the program.
•     Facilitate field visits by program visitors, and participate in AVRDC and Humidtropics research meetings.
•     Ensure proper financial and technical feedback through submission of reports following Humidtropics templates, and assist in writing peer-reviewed publications.

Skills and qualifications

•     MSc in a relevant subject in the field of Horticulture, Agronomy, Food Science, International Development, Agricultural Engineering or related discipline.
•     At least 2 years of research experience with proven skills in the accurate collection of agronomic and socio-economic data in field and farmers' trials are an essential requirement.
•     Good agro-economic background with focus on horticultural value-chains.
•     Excellent computer skills in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access).
•     Fluency in English (spoken and written).
•     Proven interpersonal skills and ability to interact with partners, horticultural value chain actors (i.e., farmers, traders, brokers, processors etc.).
•     Proven skills to work independent for prolonged periods of time.
•     Proven experience in project management.
•     Willingness to travel to action sites in Uganda, and to AVRDC's regional office for Eastern and Southern Africa in Tanzania for prolonged periods of time.

The reward
This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position with competitive pay and benefits but restricted to only Ugandan nationals. The initial appointment is for 1 year and may be extended depending on requirement, funding availability, and performance of the incumbent. The position will be available on or before 30 April 2014.

Deadline Date: 15/06/2014.

How to Apply:
Submit a letter of application clearly stating your skills and qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae, photocopies of certificates and transcripts, and three names of professional referees including contact addresses, phone number and e-mail. Applications should be sent by e-mail only in attachments (< 5 MB) to:
AVRDC-The World Vegetable Center,
Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa,
Ms. Nadine Kwazi,
P.O. Box 10, Duluti, Arusha, Tanzania,
Email: nadine.kwazi@worldveg.org.

Information on the position can be requested by phone (+255 27 255 3093, +255 27 255 3102) or fax (+255 27 255 3125). Only applications from short listed candidates will be acknowledged. AVRDC offers an attractive working environment in a multi-cultural setting with employees from different countries and diverse backgrounds. AVRDC is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.