CABI 2017 Jobs

CABI has had a presence in Africa for over 100 years. Our centre in Ghana was officially opened on 4 July 2012 and serves West Africa – a region made up of 15 states, and with a population of about 300 million. This is a region where agriculture is of huge importance. The countries of West Africa are major producers of cocoa, oil palm, cotton and groundnuts, as well as livestock and forest products, but there are significant challenges to effective trade in agricultural commodities in this region.

The centre is engaged in science-based work to support agricultural production and trade, and correspondingly increase economic opportunities in the region and beyond.

Job title:                        Project Manager – Invasive Species

Grade:                           5

Reporting to:                Regional Representative, WAC

Salary:                           We offer a competitive package in the not-for-profit development sector

Term:                             The role is offered as an initial appointment of one year subject to renewal and extension.

Direct reports:              None

Key peer group:           Scientists working within Invasives Theme, Regional Coordinator

Invasives, Plantwise team

Location:                       Accra – Ghana

Purpose of the role

 The Scientist, Invasive Species Management, will support the development and implementation of effective invasive species management projects, following an integrated pest management approach, in collaboration with national, regional and international stakeholders with a view to supporting local economic development, sustainable resource management, increased food security and improved livelihoods. The job holder will be expected to manage projects on both a technical and financial level and be able to communicate results to a broad stakeholder audience.

Key Accountabilities

• Support the development of strategic partnerships in Ghana and regionally to facilitate the implementation of the Invasives Programme, which is complementary to Plantwise, recognizing international conventions and agreements, and representing the Invasives Programme at national and regional fora, to foster strong relationships and productive collaboration;
• Work with national partners on project planning (i.e. the design of concept notes, proposals and logical frameworks), as well as project implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Undertake and manage project delivery (with CABI colleagues) according to agreed Terms of Reference (ToR) within the Invasives Programme Logical Framework and provide feedback to all relevant project stakeholders via timely submission of reports;
• Assist development of best practice guidelines and capacity building programmes to support national and regional implementation of Invasives programme activities;
• Support coordination of applied research on biological control as a key cornerstone of integrated approaches to invasive species management in collaboration with key staff of national partners;
• Provide support to write advisory leaflets, farmer manuals, technical notes and press releases;
• Support development of concept notes and proposals in the field of invasive species management in accordance with the Prince II management system or other project design method agreed with the envisaged donor (e.g. Outcome Mapping, Logical Project Framework or Project Cycle Management);
• Undertake administrative duties (compilation of progress-, annual- and final reports) and support project management according to predefined yearly plans of operation to satisfy customer expectations;
• Adhere to CABI policies and procedures at the Centre, including HR procedures, health and safety requirements, financial and project management procedures, and IPR procedures

Candidate profile

We are seeking a dynamic project manager with an excellent background in biological control, integrated approaches to Invasive Species Management, an internationally-recognized scientific background, and outstanding and proven networking abilities.

Qualifications and language skills

• Masters in a Life Science area relevant to the Centre activities, ideally biological control and integrated pest management / ecology / entomology / pathology / weed management;
• Broad knowledge of invasive species issues in developing countries and relevant institutional settings, as well as the gaps in stakeholder abilities to manage invasive species
• Understanding of a range of extension approaches and methods, in particular understanding of participatory approaches and communication for development
• Excellent communication skills in English plus competence in French as an advantage
• Prince II qualifications or comparable best practice in project management

 Previous experience

• At least 3 years’ experience in relevant project management;
• Good publication record
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite of packages essential (SharePoint an advantage)
• Direct experience working with invasive species, biocontrol, weeds and/or arthropods would be advantageous.
• Experience from working in developing countries is a must

Personal characteristics

• A team player with good interpersonal and communication skills;
• Self-motivated;
• Robust with the operational grip and capacity to handle a demanding workload
• Willingness to undertake accompanied and unaccompanied international travel
• Good personal organisational skills;
• Able to work independently and remain focussed.
• Ability to deal with cultural differences of colleagues, customers and partners globally.

NOTE

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. It is expected that the post holder and CABI will adopt a flexible attitude and accept that the duties may have to be varied according to circumstances, in particular changing corporate requirements and individual development needs.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

CABI is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation or marital status.  No applicant will be disadvantaged by conditions which cannot be shown to be justified and selection will be based on merit.

By taking the CABI Equal Opportunities Survey you will be helping us to follow best practice recommendations that employers should monitor selection decisions to assess whether equality of opportunity is being achieved.  Please follow the link to take the survey.

(If the link does not work please cut and paste the following URL into your web browser http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CABI_Equal_Opportunities_Survey)

The information in the survey will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only, forming no part of the selection process.  This information will be received separately from your application.

How to Apply

To apply please send the following to [email protected] quoting Job reference 07-2017 and stating where you saw this advertisement:-

1). a covering letter describing in full how you meet the candidate profile, and to include details of your current remuneration;

2). a full curriculum vitae;

3). the name and contact details of three referees, one of which must be your current or most recent employer – referees will not be contacted without your prior permission.

Please note that the closing date for the receipt of applications is midnight (UK, BST) Friday 31st March, 2017