CIMMYT is an internationally funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR, www.cgiar.org) and has an annual budget of nearly US$40 million. CIMMYT’s mission is to help the poor in the developing world by increasing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat-based cropping systems while protecting natural resources. The Center is a global leader in scientific research and training related to maize and wheat, and in biotechnology, economics, and natural resource management research. These activities are conducted in partnership with national agricultural research systems, non-governmental organizations, and advanced research institutions, both public and private, in globally focused projects and programs. CIMMYT is seeking applications from innovative, self-motivated, outstanding Kenyan nationals for the position of Field Technician to assist in growing and managing field trials in a field research facility in the development of high-yield, stress tolerant Maize germplasm for tropical environments in Africa. The position will be based at KARI Kiboko, and be supervised by Managing Technician at Kiboko under the overall supervision of a CIMMYT Maize breeder at CIMMYT’s Nairobi Office in Kenya.
The primary responsibilities will include:
- Prepare land and other resources for the growing of maize nurseries and field trials.
- Layout and sow maize nurseries and trials in non-stress and managed stress environments following designs supplied by the Maize Breeder
- Manage the trials and nurseries including irrigation fertilizer applications, weed management, pest control according to instructions provided by the breeder.
- Implement field trial treatments including water, insect pests, among others as in the instructions provided by the breeder.
- Take data and other records using state of the art equipment from field and laboratory experiments and nurseries following instructions provided by the breeder.
- In some cases capture the recorded data into excel and other software and supervise nursery management including pollinations, harvesting, and seed processing.
- Assist in the preparation, management and record taking of experiments to screening maize for pre- and post-harvest pests.
- Assist in the management of research facilities (seed stores, irrigation facilities, and labs) used to develop stress tolerant maize inbred lines and hybrids
- Manage field labor force assigned for your tasks and Facilitate lay out and management of field trials in.
We are seeking a candidate with the following qualifications and experience
- A Diploma or certificate of General Agriculture with at least three years experience after graduation
- Experience in a field crop research program
- Demonstrated experience in working in maize trials and nurseries in stress breeding; biosafety facilities and with pests in field and in storage.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word, proficiency in spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
- Capacity to work effectively as a team player; and an ability to work well in intercultural settings. A valid motor vehicle or motorcycle driving license
ICRAF and CIMMYT are equal opportunity employers and offer a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. The position is on local terms and will be for an initial period of three (3) years, renewable subject to six (6) months probation period, assessment of performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of resources. Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies and skills together with a detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees. All correspondence should be addressed to the Human Resources Unit, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya OR via email: icrafhru@cgiar.org. Applications will be considered until 15th April 2009 and should indicate “Application for a Field Technician, CIMMYT” on their application letters and email submissions.
Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about CIMMTY by accessing our web site: http://www.cimmyt.cgiar.org
