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 position below:

Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow, Cassava Molecular Breeder

Ref: DDG-R4D/PDF/CMB/ING/08/18
Location: Ibadan, Oyo

Background

• IITA seeks a highly motivated individual to work on cassava breeding using genomic selection within the Next Generation Cassava Breeding project. The primary activities include phenotypic and genotypic characterization of germplasm populations, describing genetic architecture of breeding traits and implementation of genomic selection and marker-assisted selection. Other opportunities are exploration of a large repository of genomic and phenotype cassava data (www.cassavabase.org) produced in the first phase of the project.
• The Next Generation Cassava Breeding (www.nextgencassava.org) project aims to significantly increase the rate of genetic gain in cassava breeding and unlock the full potential of cassava, a staple crop central to food security and livelihoods across Africa. The project implements genomic selection to accelerate breeding cycles to develop high yielding, climate resilient, higher pest and disease resistant varieties that meet farmer and consumer demands.
• As part of the NEXTGEN project, the postdoctoral fellow will get broad exposure and work closely with a global genomics and breeding community, including Cornell University, National Root Crops Research Institute in Nigeria, the National Crops Resources Research Institute in Uganda, Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the Boyce Thompson Institute, and USDA-ARS.

Position Responsibilities 
The Postdoctoral Fellow will undertake the following tasks:

• Develop improved cassava lines by working at the interphase between field breeding, genomic selection and marker assisted selection.
• Implement multi-environment field trials to evaluate performance of new populations and make advancement decisions to support the breeding pipeline.
• Carry out routine single and multi-environment mixed-model analysis of field trial data.
• Carry out population genetic analyses to describe germplasm collections using genome-wide SNP markers.
• Participate in capacity development activities within IITA and with partners.
• Supervise and manage national staff and graduate students as needed.
• Participate in resource mobilization with cassava research teams.
• Publish research findings in peer reviewed journals.
• Stay current on relevant technical advances.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have a Ph.D in Plant or Animal Breeding or Agronomy.

Core Competencies:

• Strong background in breeding, quantitative genetics, statistics, and molecular technologies.
• Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and innovative.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Good project management skills.
• Demonstrated experience with statistical programming in R.
• Strong record of innovation and process improvement in breeding.
• Strong understanding of management and utilization

Remuneration
The contract will be for an initial period of two years with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars. 

Application Closing Date 
5th October, 2018.

Method of Application 
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

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow, Cassava Breeder 

Ref: DDG-R4D/PDF/CB/ING/08/18
Location: Ibadan, Oyo.

Job Summary

• IITA seeks a highly motivated individual to work on cassava breeding using genomic selection within the Next Generation Cassava Breeding project. The primary activities include phenotypic and genotypic characterization of germplasm populations, describing genetic architecture of breeding traits and implementation of genomic selection and marker-assisted selection. Other opportunities are exploration of a large repository of genomic and phenotype cassava data (www.cassavabase.org) produced in the first phase of the project.
• The Next Generation Cassava Breeding (www.nextgencassava.org) project aims to significantly increase the rate of genetic gain in cassava breeding and unlock the full potential of cassava, a staple crop central to food security and livelihoods across Africa.
• The project implements Genomic Selection to accelerate breeding cycles to develop high yielding, climate resilient, higher pest and disease resistant varieties that meet farmer and consumer demands.
• As part of the NEXTGEN project, the postdoctoral fellow will get broad exposure and work closely with a global genomics and breeding community, including Cornell University, National Root Crops Research Institute in Nigeria, the National Crops Resources Research Institute in Uganda, Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the Boyce Thompson Institute, and USDA-ARS.

Position Responsibilities 
The Postdoctoral Fellow will undertake the following tasks:

• Develop improved cassava lines by working at the interface between field breeding, genomic selection and marker assisted selection.
• Implement multi-environment field trials to evaluate performance of new populations and make advancement decisions to support the breeding pipeline.
• Carry out routine single and multi-environment mixed-model analysis of field trial data.
• Carry out population genetic analyses to describe germplasm collections using genome-wide SNP markers.
• Develop and validate new phenotyping platforms for cassava breeding (e.g. NIR).
• Publish research findings in peer reviewed journals.
• Stay current on relevant technical advances.

Other Responsibilities

• This position will involve extensive travels within Nigeria and Africa to co-coordinate a cassava breeding community of practice within the national programs of DR Congo, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Zambia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi and Cote d’Ivoire.
• Provide technical backstopping in data analytical developments and process improvement for national partner programs in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania.
• Participate in resource mobilization with cassava research teams.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have a Ph. D in Plant or Animal Breeding or Agronomy.

Core Competencies:

• Strong background in breeding, quantitative genetics, statistics, and molecular technologies.
• Highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and innovative.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Good project management skills.
• Demonstrated experience with statistical programming in R.
• Strong record of innovation and process improvement in breeding.
• Strong understanding of management and utilization of large data sets.
• Experience working in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to communicate in both English and French is desirable.

General Information

• The contract will be for an initial period of two years with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Application Closing Date
3rd, October, 2018.

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

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Oracle Database Administrator

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2018-0027
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (3-year renewable contract)

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Administer and monitor Oracle and MS SQL Server databases;
• Coordinate and deploy DDL/DML changes to Oracle and MS SQL server databases;
• Perform database performance tuning;
• Plan, and implement security measures to safeguard databases;
• Prepare/maintain SQL Scripts to automate DBA tasks;
• Manage Oracle on Linux/UNIX and MS SQL Server on MS Windows Server;
• Document and execute against standard operating procedures;
• Install database patches;
• Configure and maintain disaster recovery databases;
• Clone and export databases to create new environments;
• Support data conversion;
• Support Oracle Applications DBA in maintaining Oracle EBS environment;
• Support Oracle Applications Developers and code deployment;
• Maintain database security;
• Ensure compliance with IITA Oracle license agreement;
• Control and monitor user access to the database;
• Contact Oracle Corporation for technical support;
• Other tasks possible assigned by the Automation project or line hierarchy.

Qualifications

• M.Sc in Computer Science/MIS/Engineering or its equivalent.
• The ideal candidate must have a minimum of Five (5) years' experience in Oracle Database Administrator with Linux/Unix.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Have experience configuring and maintaining Oracle Dataguard/RAC/RMAN
• Have MS SQL Server database administration experience is an added advantage
• Have Oracle DBA or other relevant certification is an added advantage.
• Have organizational and documentation skills required.
• Have experience supporting critical systems.
• Have experience working with remote teams and ability to communicate effectively.

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

Application Closing Date 
11th September, 2018.

Method of Application 
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

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Accounting Assistant II

Ref No: IITA-HR-NRS2018-0026
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: National (3-year renewable contract)

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Prepare and review of financial statements;
• Check, process and report on returns and justification of funds granted to IITA;
• Raise journal for adjustments where necessary on various accounts and loading same on oracle;
• Attend to queries raised by Budget Officers on projects;
• Assist in checking of Cashiers’ cash balance as scheduled;
• Update, review and reconcile bills receivables from donors with the total grant income of projects;
• Prepare station imprest on regular basis;
• Develop, maintain and analyze budget;
• Prepare periodic accounting report;
• Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing related result as needed;
• Perform all other related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications

• B.Sc/HND Accounting or Business Management, PE II ICAN.
• Possession of ACA or ACCA would be an added advantage.
• The ideal candidate must have a minimum of three (3) years work experience in a related role of a large organization.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Be honest, trustworthy and hard working
• Be friendly and be a team player.
• Be able to read and interpret MOUs from donor.
• Be willing to work for long hours as the need arises, articulate and able to work with less supervision.

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

Application Closing Date 
10th September, 2018

Method of Application 
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
Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Research Technician I 

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2018-0023
Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Recruitment Type: 2-year renewable contract

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Assist in laboratory and field research activities related to plantain breeding.
• Assist with collection, processing and documentation of field and lab samples.
• Ensure sterile environment practices, orderliness of lab, screen house and work environment.
• Assist in maintaining of stock and inventory for germplasm and laboratory items.
• Participate in research data collection, entry and processing.
• Assist in supervising casuals in daily assigned tasks.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualification

• OND in General Agriculture, Science Laboratory Technology or related field with two (2) years relevant experience performing similar roles.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Be computer literate
• Have ability to concisely record data and write basic report.
• Have good interpersonal skill, diligence and attention to detail.
• Have good self-motivation and be well organized.

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

Application Closing Date 
10th September, 2018.

Method of Application 
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

Click here for more information (PDF)

Job Title: Research Supervisor        

Ref: IITA-HR-NRS2018-0025
Location: Kano 
Recruitment Type: National (1-year renewable contract)                         

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Prepare trials, establish field trails and demonstrations 
• Carryout field data collection
• Supervise establishment of community seed schemes;
• Contribute to training of farmers on the use of farm inputs;
• Analyze field data and prepare tables.

Qualification

• B.Sc/HND in Agriculture, Agronomy or related fields with minimum of two (2) years’ experience performing similar or related role.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Have ability to enter field data using excel and ability to analyze field data using SAS statistical package.
• Have experience in establishing field research activities with field crops such as cowpea, maize and soybean.
• Have extensive knowledge in managing field crop pest using recommended agrochemicals;

Remuneration

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

Application Closing Date 
10th September 2018.

Method of Application 
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
Click here for more information (PDF)