The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Its award-winning research-for-development (R4D) approach addresses the development needs of tropical countries. IITA works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. IITA is a non-profit organization founded in 1967 in Nigeria and governed by a Board of Trustees. IITA works on the following crops: cowpea, soybean, banana/plantain, yam, cassava, and maize. It is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

Applications are invited for the positions below:

Job Title: Assistant Internal Auditor
Ref:IITA-HR-NRS2018-0022
Location: Ibadan
Recruitment Type: National (3-year renewable contract)
Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Support/carry out audit review of assigned areas in administration, research, cost centre and stations;
• Review transaction records for completeness, validity and accuracy.
• Determine whether transactions processed are genuine, reasonable and comply with the institutes policies;
• Carry out physical counts of stock items and cash on need basis;
• Observe performance of tasks and activities and report on observations.
• Prepare draft report on assigned task for supervisor review;
• Perform follow up on past audit recommendation and prepare draft report;
• Upload relevant information on assigned tasks to the Audit Management Software
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• B.Sc/HND in Accountancy, Business Management or related fields with minimum of three (3) years’ experience performing similar or related role in a structured organization.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Be able to demonstrate evidence of continuous learning.
• Posses inquisitive mind and good interactive skills.
• Possibility to learn new things fast.
• Demonstrate healthy skepticism.

Job Title: Technology Transfer Consultant
Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2018-0001      
Location: Kano
Recruitment Type: National (6-month renewable contract)
General

• The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a consultant to support TAAT scaling work in Nigeria for the Livestock compact of the newly launched “Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation” (TAAT) project.
• ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
• TAAT is a key priority of the African Development Bank’s agricultural transformation agenda also known as the Feed Africa Strategy. TAAT is essentially a knowledge-and innovation-based response to the recognized need for scaling up proven technologies across Africa aiming to boost productivity, and to make Africa self-sufficient in key commodities. ILRI leads the Livestock compact of TAAT.

The position

• ILRI is recruiting a Technology transfer consultant to support TAAT scaling work in Nigeria. The TAAT scaling consultant will report to the TAAT Livestock Compact Coordinator and will be overseen by the ILRI Country Representative.
• Terms of Appointment. This is a consultant position, initial appointment is for six months with the possibility of renewal for another six months, contingent upon individual performance and continued project needs.

Main Duties
In consultation with national and regional partners, plan TAAT Livestock Compact (Small Ruminant & Poultry) project interventions on the following:

• Demonstration of profitability of alternative feed systems using High Quality Cassava Peels Mash (HQCP mash), for poultry and other livestock feeding in Southwest Nigeria
• Promotion of business models for the set-up of Cassava peels processing in Nigeria.
• Make arrangements with development partners (Government Agencies and private sector) for (joint) implementation of TAAT project interventions in Nigeria as stated above
• Provide technical support for implementation of development interventions
• Organize service providers, including cassava processors, feed millers and other value chain actors linkages in support of selected value chain development in Nigeria and at regional level
• Develop capacity of livestock value chain actors and service providers in approaches and value chain interventions through in-service and on the job training
• Support the project’s M&E system
• Coordinate and report scaling activities to regional and national partners
• Other duties that may be assigned by supervisor(s)

Education

• M.Sc Degree in a relevant field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years' experience in livestock research and/or development
• Experience in capacity building
• Experience in working with agricultural products value addition stakeholders

Skills:

• Broad knowledge of agriculture and Willingness to travel within the country
• Understanding of value chain concepts, and how to scale up livestock technologies
• Understanding of business models set up and good interpersonal skills
• Good analytical and English writing skills
• Good organizational skills and partnership skills

Job Title: Technology Transfer Consultant
Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2018-0001
Location: Ibadan
Recruitment Type: National (6-month renewable contract)
General

• The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a consultant to support TAAT scaling work in Nigeria for the Livestock compact of the newly launched “Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation” (TAAT) project.
• ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org
• TAAT is a key priority of the African Development Bank’s agricultural transformation agenda also known as the Feed Africa Strategy. TAAT is essentially a knowledge-and innovation-based response to the recognized need for scaling up proven technologies across Africa aiming to boost productivity, and to make Africa self-sufficient in key commodities. ILRI leads the Livestock compact of TAAT.

The position

• ILRI is recruiting a Technology transfer consultant to support TAAT scaling work in Nigeria. The TAAT scaling consultant will report to the TAAT Livestock Compact Coordinator and will be overseen by the ILRI Country Representative.
• Terms of Appointment. This is a consultant position, initial appointment is for six months with the possibility of renewal for another six months, contingent upon individual performance and continued project needs.

Main Duties
In consultation with national and regional partners, plan TAAT Livestock Compact (Small Ruminant & Poultry) project interventions on the following:

• Demonstration of profitability of alternative feed systems using High Quality Cassava Peels Mash (HQCP mash), for poultry and other livestock feeding in Southwest Nigeria
• Promotion of business models for the set-up of Cassava peels processing in Nigeria.
• Make arrangements with development partners (Government Agencies and private sector) for (joint) implementation of TAAT project interventions in Nigeria as stated above
• Provide technical support for implementation of development interventions
• Organize service providers, including cassava processors, feed millers and other value chain actors linkages in support of selected value chain development in Nigeria and at regional level
• Develop capacity of livestock value chain actors and service providers in approaches and value chain interventions through in-service and on the job training
• Support the project’s M&E system
• Coordinate and report scaling activities to regional and national partners
• Other duties that may be assigned by supervisor(s)

Education

• MSc degree in a relevant field

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in livestock research and/or development
• Experience in capacity building
• Experience in working with agricultural products value addition stakeholders

Skills:

• Broad knowledge of agriculture and Willingness to travel within the country
• Understanding of value chain concepts, and how to scale up livestock technologies
• Understanding of business models set up and good interpersonal skills
• Good analytical and English writing skills
• Good organizational skills and partnership skills

Job Title: Research Associate
Ref:IITA-HR-NRS2018-0021
Location: Ibadan
Contract: 2-years renewable contract
Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Supervise all field research activities for savanna, mid-altitude and savanna-transitional zone breeding operations including field layout, fertilizer application, planting, data collection and harvesting;
• Visit all testing sites as required for effective supervision of trial and nursery management;
• Organize required inputs, materials and supplies for all testing sites and hire and pay casual labor for various field operations;
• Supervise handling of germplasm in the breeding nursery including planting, hand-pollinations and data collection;
• Assist scientists in keeping pedigree records and during selections of breeding materials in various nurseries;
• Supervise seed multiplication of open-pollinated varieties, inbred lines and hybrids;
• Supervise junior staff and assist the scientist in appraising their performance at the end of the year;
• Assist in collating data, running statistical analysis, conduct literature search and preparation of reports;
• Assist in managing special projects, including breeding for drought tolerance, resistance to aflatoxin contamination, increases protein quality (QPM), as well as high mineral and pro-vitamin A content;
• Supervise screening of maize germplasm for quality protein under the light box in the laboratory;
• Assist graduate students on research projects as required;
• Assist scientists to maintain strict control of budget expenditures and casual labor employment;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualification

• M.Sc in Agriculture, Plant breeding, Crop breeding, or related fields with minimum of five (5) years’ experience performing similar or related role in a structured organization.

Competencies:

• The ideal candidate must: Have good communication skill.

Job Title: Associate Scientist, Molecular Breeder
Ref No: DDG-R4D/AS/MB/07/18
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Job Description

• IITA seeks a highly motivated individual to work as Associate Scientist - Molecular Breeder in the ongoing project ‘Enhancing yam breeding for increased productivity and improved quality in West Africa (AfricaYam)’.
• The project team is working towards a vision to increase yam productivity whilst reducing production costs and environmental impact by developing and deploying varieties with higher yield, greater resistance to pests and diseases and improved tuber quality. Led by IITA, the project involves a network of research organizations in the four main producer countries of the yam belt of West Africa: the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) and the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) in Nigeria; two research institutes under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Ghana (the Crops Research Institute and the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute); le Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA), Côte d'Ivoire; and l’Université d'Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Dassa Center, Benin. Partners outside West Africa are: the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (CIRAD), France; the Iwate Biotechnology Research Center (IBRC), Japan; the James Hutton Institute (JHI), UK; Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), Japan; and the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research (BTI), Cornell University, USA.

Position Responsibilities

• Contribute to genomic resource development and deployment for germplasm enhancement of yam and work with the breeder to identify priority target traits, develop breeding approaches, and implement efficient and cost effective molecular tools for the project. Utilize existing and novel markers and genotyping systems to develop and validate functional markers.
• Develop suitable marker-trait association approaches including QTL mapping, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and genomic selection for relevant traits in existing and newly developed populations.
• Collaborate with breeders and scientists in related disciplines to develop and implement improved phenotyping protocols.
• Establish collaboration with advanced labs in the areas of gene/marker discovery and trait capture techniques with the aim of deploying comparative and functional genomics approaches to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of yam breeding.
• Develop strategies to translate information from sequencing and genotyping systems and the corresponding data management and analysis methods to enhance yam improvement.
• Supervise and manage national staff and graduate students as needed.
• Participate in resource mobilization with yam research teams.
• Publish research findings in peer reviewed journals.
• Participate actively in project review and planning meetings and in reporting on progress.
• Perform any other activities as may be assigned.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have a PhD in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Plant Breeding, or related fields.

Core Competencies:

• At least 2 years of post-PhD experience in a crop breeding program.
• Knowledge and experience in plant genetics, genomics, breeding, and bioinformatics.
• Ability to integrate high quality phenotyping with genotyping.
• Experience with project activity implementation and monitoring.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent spoken and written English. Fluency in French will be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to publish articles in peer reviewed international journals.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.



How to Apply
Interested applicants should complete the online application attaching detailed cover letter and curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format, The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include the applicant’s current or previous direct Supervisor, professional colleague and evidence of current remuneration package.

Click here to apply