World Agroforestry Centre Science Coordinator (AWARD) Job in Nairobi Kenya

Vacancy: Science Coordinator - AWARD

About our organization

The World Agroforestry Centre is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. 

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, which also hosts the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) project of the CGIAR Gender and Diversity Program.

AWARD is a pioneering project to boost the talent pool of African women in the agricultural sciences. 

AWARD delivers career development fellowships to hundreds of women in agricultural institutions throughout sub-Saharan Africa.  

The project covers 11 countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Main Purpose of the Job

AWARD requires expertise to provide strategic, tactical and operational support to the AWARD Director in relation to four critical issues:

1. Coordination of AWARD’s science cornerstone, including smooth implementation of the advanced science training (especially regarding research attachments) and training in science skills (research proposal and science writing as well as presentation skills) regarding content of such courses and development of appropriate training material including gender-responsiveness of agricultural research)
 

2. Design and implementation of a specific training course on gender-responsiveness in agricultural research for development focused on collection and interpretation of gender disaggregated data, preferably in partnership with renowned capacity building institutions and preferably to be delivered by African trainers to be trained on this subject
 

3. Support towards monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the science cornerstone activities in AWARD II
 

4. Representation of AWARD in science / research related forums with a view of building and strengthening AWARD’s partnerships with relevant sub-regional, Africa-wide, and international stakeholders in ARD with a view to support sustainability of the AWARD approach.

AWARD’s science cornerstone is critical for the program’s success, particularly in the areas of gender-responsiveness in ARD and planning and implementation of competitive research attachments and other advanced science training, but also regarding a strategy for sustainability and forward planning. 

Consequently, the AWARD Team requires support in designing and coordination of implementation of these activities including selection of partners and trainer and handling host institution selection and follow-up, planning and implementation of science skills courses, and reflection / forward planning exercises.

Having regard to the current team composition in the science cornerstone (the science coordinator is supported by a science cornerstone officer) this role requires a full-time regionally recruited position.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the leadership of the AWARD Director, the AWARD Science Coordinator will:

• lead AWARD’s science cornerstone, in particular regarding competitive advanced science training of fellows and content of AWARD’s science skills courses
• supervise and guide the AWARD Science Cornerstone Officer and Science Cornerstone Assistant in smooth implementation of all activities of AWARD’s science cornerstone
• supervise and guide the AWARD Science Cornerstone Officer and Science Cornerstone Assistant in monitoring and evaluation of all science cornerstone activities
• ensure timely and accurate reporting of all science cornerstone activities as per requirements/grants
• support the Director in the development of material and trainers to deliver a course on gender responsiveness of agricultural research assist the AWARD team in developing a sustainability strategy with key African partners

Qualifications and Experience

• PhD in a field of science relevant to sub-Saharan African agriculture
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the development and management of research and development (R&D) projects in Africa
• Proven experience in developing skills and careers of scientists
• Proven experience in M&E of science capacity building and science projects/programs
• Widely networked and well regarded within the sub-Saharan African science system: universities, national agricultural research systems, research networks, etc
• Experience in gender responsiveness in ARD as well as inclusiveness of work places
• Good written and spoken English. Good written and oral communication skills in French are highly desirable

Terms of offer

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women. 

This position is on regional terms and will be for an initial period of three (3) years, renewable subject to nine (9) months’ probation period, assessment of performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of resources.

How to apply

Go to http://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies

Applications will be considered until 07 June 2013. 

Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about AWARD and by accessing our web site: www.award.cgiar.org or www.worldagroforestry.org