THE AFRICAN SOILS INFORMATION SERVICE PROJECT (ASIS)
ASSISTANT NARS COORDINATOR (IT & COMMUNICATION)
Eastern Africa Team Member to be based in Nairobi
JOB DESCRIPTION
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), is seeking to fill the position of Assistant NARS Coordinator (IT and Communication) for the African Soils Information Service (ASIS) Project of the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT (CIAT-TSBF).
Supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), CIAT is a non-profit organization that conducts socially and environmentally progressive research aimed at reducing hunger and poverty and preserving natural resources in developing countries. The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of CIAT (TSBF) operates as an integral part of the CIAT research programme and is housed at the ICRAF Campus, Nairobi, Kenya. The goal of CIAT-TSBF is to contribute to human welfare and environmental conservation in the tropics by developing adoptable and suitable soil management practices that integrate the biological, chemical and socioeconomic processes that regulate soil fertility and optimize the use of organic and inorganic resources.
The African Soils Information Service (ASIS) Project will develop a practical, timely, cost-effective, soil health surveillance service to map soil conditions, set a baseline for monitoring changes and to provide options for improved soil management. The system will facilitate identifying areas at risk of soil degradation and corresponding preventive and rehabilitative soil management interventions based on analyses of what works, and what doesn’t.
The project will build on recent advances in digital soil mapping, infrared spectroscopy, remote sensing, computational statistics and integrated soil fertility management to improve the way that soils are evaluated, mapped and monitored, while significantly reducing the costs to do so, and to disseminate innovative soil management methods such as the combination of inorganic fertilizers with organic inputs that improve crop yields while enhancing the environment. Dissemination and training will make the project’s outcomes highly accessible to farm communities, public and private extension services, national agricultural research and soil survey organizations, the fertilizer sector, project and local planners, national and regional policymakers, and scientists. The efforts in Africa are part of a wider, global effort to digitally map the world soil resources, and this project will help catalyze the global effort.
The Position:
- The Assistant NARS Coordinator (IT and Communication) will report to the CIAT – TSBF Director through the Leader of ASIS Objective 5. The aim of Objective 5 is to build capacity, serve end users, monitoring and evaluation, and management support. ASIS will interact intensively with national programs and a range of end user groups (in Tanzania, Mali, and Malawi where regional laboratories will be developed as well as Kenya and Nigeria).
Outreach and Communication Responsibilities
- Coordinate the development and production of publication/communication and marketing material including proof reading and editing.
- Assist in the preparation of external public affairs communications including media releases, presentations, briefing notes and speeches.
- Field media enquiries and assist the Objective Leader to address a wide range of communication activities such as issues and crisis management.
- Contribute to the design, maintenance and update of the ASIS Project website, including writing and uploading web copy for agreed sections with other project partners.
- Prepare electronic and hardcopy editorials, newsletters and other documentation as required.
- Assist the Objective Leader in the monitoring and evaluation of the communication and marketing plan and in the identification of quality improvement initiatives.
- Assist Project Staff and the NARS staff and other stakeholders in the provision of effective communication and project promotion services.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Provide administrative support services to the Objective Leader to enable the strategic objectives and goals of the Objective to be achieved in a timely manner.
- Maintain and update the projects events calendar and provide assistance to the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.
- Undertake other duties as delegated by the Objective Leader, the TSBF Director, the Project Director and the Operations Committee.
Qualifications and experience:
- The basic qualification will be an MSc Degree in Communication, Public Relations or Journalism. Otherwise a first Degree in Computer Programming with three years post-qualification experience would be considered but the individual applying should have proven knowledge in programming and web designs in a recognized and results oriented IT organization.
- Good post qualification experience in IT including knowledge in the design of Dynamic websites, Blogs, etc coupled with knowledge of integrating websites with databases, video clips, website to mobile communication into cell-phones, and networking with players in the industry is a must.
- Knowledge of open-source programming is essential.
- We are looking for a dynamic individual with good interpersonal skills, and one who is results oriented, with proven success in group process dynamics and with high-end professional performance for this position.
- Ability to work independently, under pressure and manage time effectively is essential.
- Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, Email.
- Candidates must clearly demonstrate how they meet the criteria above. Initial screening of applicants will be done solely on the information submitted by the candidates. Failure to fully explain your education and experience may result in your being screened out of this process.
Personal Characteristics:
- Team player with personality traits that enable him/her to motivate and communicate with all levels of the professional and support staff.
- Reputation of integrity, high intelligence, creativity and the ability to exercise good judgment.
- Ability to establish rapport and credibility with people at all organizational levels, forming strong relationships, both internally and externally.
- Committed to transparency and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.
- Fluency in English and Kiswahili.
The appointment: Initial two year contract, renewable subject to six (6) months probation period and assessment of performance. Starting date: as early as possible, after selection. CIAT offers an internationally competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with the position’s responsibilities and the education and experience of the successful candidate.
Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Applications should be sent to the Human Resources Office at CIAT a.l.restrepo@cgiar.org with copies to m.sambo@cgiar.org. The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message.
All applications will be acknowledged, only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Closing date for applications: November 17th, 2008.
