Reference number: 202466
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Local Position
Duty station: Kiboko, Makueni County, Kenya
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

The Research Technician supports the implementation of breeding activities of dryland crops in Kiboko and other locations that may be identified (e.g. disease screening locations). The Research Technician leads and supervises casual workers, plans and organizes activities (short- and long-term) guided by the breeding strategy/schemes discussed with the scientist/s. He/she coordinates with the other project staff supporting different aspects of the breeding pipeline. Activities may include coordinating trial kit preparation and shipment for regional trials across Eastern and Southern Africa partners, planning the nurseries (segregating populations, seed production, etc.), allocating field workers to various operations that may occur simultaneously ( planting, preparing seed packs/kits, land preparation, irrigation, etc.), collection of accurate data and maintaining integrity of data, and ensuring that all data are uploaded into BMS/EBS.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Innovation

• Propose and implement agreed improvements in breeding nurseries and seed production and/or multiplication (e.g. speed breeding).

2. Coordinate experiment creation, trial kit preparation, shipment to various partners, data return.

• Ensure entry lists provided by the scientist are created in EBS, packed, sent to partners and planted on time.
• Collaborate with trialists and technicians in partner centers and ensure standard trial protocols are followed.
• Coordinate the compilation of trial data from partners and uploading into EBS.

3. Management of hybrid breeding nurseries and hybrid seed production.

• Understand and gain experience in hybrid breeding, hybrid seed production, heterotic pools in sorghum and pearl millet.
• Manage hybrid breeding nurseries including maintainer population improvement, maintainer population improvement, AxB seed production, AxR seed production and BxR testcrossing as needed.
• Ensure nurseries are established on time (timely land prep, planting, fertilizer application etc) planted according to the plot layout.
• Ensure nurseries are well managed (irrigated, weed control, pest and disease control etc) and that there is frequent communication or updates with scientists.
• Manage accurate and timely data collection as specified by the scientists, and ensure accuracy of data entry and consolidation.
• Implement timely digital data capture using the relevant tools (e.g. FieldBook app) and software as identified by DCP.
• Ensure protocols (e.g. seed retention, seed amount harvested from nurseries) are followed.

4. Supervise casual labor

• Manage a team of casual labor at Kiboko to perform activities in the field, screenhouse and seed laboratories.
• Ensure labor team receive the necessary training to perform their tasks.
• Maintain and practice occupational health and safety in the workplace.

5. Other Responsibilities

• Assist in tissue sample collection for genetic and/or biochemical analysis
• Manage printing of packets, labels, tags and seed inventory
• Establish and maintain contacts with collaborating organizations and partners.

Requirements

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in plant breeding, agricultural science, agricultural engineering or related fields.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience in managing agricultural field activities or research projects
• Thorough knowledge of the field of work or specialized equipment.
• Basic knowledge of administrative and/or operating protocols and procedures of research support function.
• Basic Supervisory skills and experience.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in plant breeding, agricultural science, agricultural engineering or related fields.
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience in managing agricultural field activities or research projects
• Thorough knowledge of the field of work or specialized equipment.
• Basic knowledge of administrative and/or operating protocols and procedures of research support function.
• Basic Supervisory skills and experience.

Terms and conditions

• This is a Locally Recruited Staff (LRS) position and on competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for a period of two (2) years, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station will be in Kiboko, Makueni County, Kenya.

Application process

The application deadline is 12 Jan 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

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