International Potato Center: 2 Positions in Ghana

Posted on :

18 Jun, 2013

Category :

Vacancies in Ghana

The International Potato Center (CIP) works with partners to achieve food security, well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems in the developing world. We do this through research and innovation in science, technology, and capacity strengthening.

Job Title 1: Sweetpotato Seed Specialist (Ghana)

Job Description

CIP is seeking to recruit a Sweetpotato Seed Specialist to be based in Kumasi, Ghana. The Sweetpotato Seed Specialist will work with partners to strengthen sweetpotato seed systems in important production regions of Ghana. The Seed Specialist will also assist with a yam bean seed program. The position will be under the supervision of the resident CIP scientist.

Specific duties will include:

  • With partners, multiply and maintain breeder/foundation seed of selected released varieties and advanced materials at primary multiplication sites at CSIR-CRI, CSIR–SARI, and satellite locations.
  • Work with partners to establish and maintain secondary multiplication sites for Apomuden and other recently released and pre-release varieties at target locations in the Central, Volta, Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions of Ghana.
  • Conduct research and demonstration to evaluate the benefits of multiplying pathogen-tested planting material in net tunnels and to evaluate yield gains that may be achieve through the use of pathogen-tested planting material in contrast to non-pathogen-tested, field derived planting material.
  • Conduct research and demonstration to evaluate the potential for using the storage root conservation (triple-S system) in Ghana, both on station and on-farm, in partnership with development partners.
  • Assist to maintain in vitro, screen house and field germplasm and breeding material collections in order to ensure rational and timely production of adequate quantities of healthy planting material for trials.
  • Assist with clean up using tissue culture, thermotherapy and virus indexing of selected Ghanaian sweetpotato varieties, advanced lines and germplasm.
  • Assist with all aspects of yam bean (Pachyrhizus) work in Ghana.
  • Work with partners in selected countries in the region on an occasional basis to implement similar programs and studies to duties outlined above for Ghana 

Required Skills or Experience

The successful candidate should have or be:

  • Masters degree or equivalent in Plant Sciences
  • Previous experience in areas of responsibility
  • Knowledge of improvement in clonally propagated crop systems
  • Hard working team member capable of working with diverse partners to deliver results on time
  • Competence in statistical analysis and data management.
  • Organized, innovative, and clear thinking individual able to communicate well orally and verbally
  • Eager to learn new skills and to contribute to program and team success
  • Competent driver with current valid driving licence
  • Ability to work independently and to take initiative when sorting out problem issues.
  • Knowledge of French highly desirable

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position under the supervision of a CIP scientist at the Crops Research Institute in Kumasi, Ghana and is on a 2-year renewable contract.

How To Apply

Applicants should send a cover letter expressing their interest and expectations for the position, curriculum vitae and the names and contact details (Telephone, E-mail) of three professional referees to

Ted Carey
International Potato Centre, (CIP)
c/o CSIR-CRI
P.O. Box 3785
Kumasi, Ghana.
Telephone: +233-546-938-599;
  • Deadline – 30 June, 2013.
  • Only short listed candidates will be contacted
  • To find out more about CIP, visit our website at http://www.cipotato.org
  • We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage women to apply for this position.

Job Title 2: Sweetpotato Technical Advisor

Job Description

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The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an agricultural economist or nutritionist with excellent skills in survey design, implementation, and analysis, project management experience, and good communication and writing skills suitable for working with a multi-disciplinary team of agronomists, breeders, nutritionists, food scientists, and extension practitioners.

The Center: 
CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world.

CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.

The Position
The Federal government of Nigeria has included sweetpotato as one of the key crops to contribute towards its agricultural transformation.

The selected scientist will backstop government and non-government partners in designing and coordinating nutrition and income- earning value chains, as well as breeder and multiplication activities in 6 states in Nigeria.  The position is based in Abuja.

In addition, the scientist will lead surveys to assess the baseline situation for sweetpotato in the selected states, and endline surveys to assess adoption. They will guide the team linking orange-fleshed sweetpotato to a school feeding program. The scientist should be willing to travel extensively within Nigeria, with occasional travel to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Required Skills or Experience

  • The successful candidate will have:
  • PhD in Agricultural Economics or Nutrition or other closely related discipline and at least three years’ experience in managing projects with multiple partners;
  • At least three years’ research experience in the design, implementation, and analysis of household surveys and monitoring systems;
  • Strong interest in food-based approaches to combatting food insecurity and undernutrition;
  • Exposure to participatory approaches and qualitative data collection and analysis desirable;
  • Demonstrated success in working within inter-disciplinary teams and partnerships for research implementation;
  • Prior working experience in Africa;
  • Excellent social skills and a collaborative style;
  • Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes;
  • Willingness to travel extensively;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.

Conditions
The employment contract will be for a three-year term with the possibility of renewal. The salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience.

How To Apply

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 to

cip- [email protected], copied to Jan Low: [email protected]
  • The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message.
  • Screening of applications will begin on 20 June 2013 and will continue until the post is filled.

CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff.  Women and citizens of developing countries are particularly urged to apply. To learn more about CIP please visit http://www.cipotato.org/cip/jobs.asp

Job Title 2: Sweetpotato Technical Advisor


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