Job Description
– Reporting to the Head of Land Husbandry and Irrigation Innovation & Tech. Transfer Department, and Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) Program Coordinator Principal Research Fellow has the following responsibilities:
– Provide leadership and coordination of all program activities including research and innovations on soil health, integrated soil fertility, soil conservation and protection
– Oversee articulation of research agenda in the different components of the program (soil health, integrated soil fertility, and soil conservation and protection)
– Oversee identification of priority areas of interventions in the different components of program (soil health, integrated soil fertility, soil conservation and protection)
– Oversee implementation of all activities of the program in its different components (soil health, integrated soil fertility, soil conservation and protection)
– Develop and implement targets for ISFM research/technology transfer fitting into national and development goals, institutional targets (imihigo, performance contracts) and work plan and budget approved;
– Lead planning and overseeing implementation and promotion and dissemination of new technologies, innovations, knowledge and skills to farmers and other stakeholders in ISFM
– Provide leadership and mentorship of the program scientists and technicians in planning, monitoring and evaluation of ISFM research projects, writing, reviewing and publishing research papers
– Coordinate mobilization of financial resources for research through proposal writing on competitive funding;
– Participating in developing and implementing the institutional work plan and budget execution of the budget approved, and institutional imihigo and performance contracts
– Participate in meetings, seminars, conferences relevant to field of agricultural research and contribute to raise visibility of RAB in local and international forums;
– Ensure effective and efficient management of resources and assets under his responsibilities
– Establish and strengthen networks and collaboration/partnerships at national, regional and international levels in the field of Integrated Soil Fertility Management
– Conduct regular meetings with the Program staff on progress of implementation of activities;
– Oversee development and outreach communication/dissemination materials in the field of ISFM (radio message, leaflets, policy briefs)
– Ensure promotion of technologies and innovations of ISFM through on-farm demonstration plots
– Build capacity of the scientists/technicians and stakeholders and farmers on soil health and nutrition
– Oversee preparation, consolidation, review and submission of weekly, quarterly and annual reports
– Build and maintain effective collaboration and team spirit with other researchers, locally, regionally and internationally
– Ensure a clean Audit in activities carried by the programme
– Working with the Communication Unit to increase awareness and visibility of the Institution through the work done the programme by various communication tools.
– Undertake other duties as assigned by the Head of department and other RAB Senior Managers;
Minimum Qualifications
-
PhD in Natural Resources Management
10 Years of relevant experience
-
PhD in Soil Sciences
10 Years of relevant experience
-
PhD in Soil Fertility Management
10 Years of relevant experience
-
PhD in Farming Systems
10 Years of relevant experience
-
PhD in Soil and Water Management
10 Years of relevant experience
-
PhD in Soil Chemistry
10 Years of relevant experience
-
PhD in Soil Biology
10 Years of relevant experience
-
PhD in Water Resources Management
10 Years of relevant experience
Competency and Key Technical Skills
-
Integrity
-
Strong critical thinking skills and excellent problem solving skills.
-
Inclusiveness
-
Accountability
-
Communication
-
Teamwork
-
Client/citizen focus
-
Professionalism
-
Commitment to continuous learning
-
Analytical skills
-
Fluency in Kinyarwanda, English and/ or French. Knowledge of Swahili is an added advantage
-
Resource management skills
-
– Analytical skills
-
Problem solving skills
-
Decision making skills
-
Networking skills
-
Leadership skills
-
Mentoring and coaching skills
-
Time management skills
-
Risk management skills
-
Performance management skills
-
Results oriented
-
Digital literacy skills
-
Having led the generation of at least three (3) innovations or technologies for agriculture development
-
Having authored as first author at least seven (7) scientific publications and having co-authored at least fourteen (14) scientific publications in refereed journals
-
Having led the writing and won at least two projects for agriculture development. Having at least ten (10) years of relevant working experience in agriculture research and/or extension
-
Having led or contributed to the production and dissemination of 18 extension materials including technical guidelines, documentary films, and other extension materials for innovations aiming to increase farmers’ production, productivity and resilience capacities
-
Being conversant with national and sector policies and development agenda
-
Capacity in project development and resources mobilization
-
Proven skills in research design and implementation of soil fertility and fertilizer recommendation practices
-
Extensive understanding of the National and International contexts of integrated soil fertility management research and ability to develop a comprehensive research agenda for the program in line with the national strategic planning framework
-
Proven experience to work with farmers and industry stakeholders an in research and extension
-
Capacity in project development and resource Mobilization