The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) is a unique and innovative English language undergraduate institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders of Rwanda and East Africa. Students at RICA engage in curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities emphasizing Conservation Agriculture and One Health principles, oral and written communication, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
In an experiential learning environment, students develop the knowledge and experience necessary for a wide range of careers in agriculture. Students at RICA experience the six Enterprises including Dairy, Poultry and Swine, Food Processing, Row and Forage Crops, Vegetable and Fruit Crops, Irrigation and Mechanization.
The curriculum is designed to incorporate threads of Innovation, Conservation, One Health Systems Thinking, and Entrepreneurship. Communication, One Health Systems Thinking, and Entrepreneurship are woven throughout the curriculum.
All RICA graduates will be innovative problem solvers able to operate farms and ranches, start agribusinesses, assume management roles in cooperatives, NGOs, and other agricultural enterprises, serve their communities as extension agents and technical and policy experts, or assume positions of agricultural leadership in Rwanda.
POSITION: Precision Agriculture Lecturer
DESCRIPTION
The candidate will provide overall direction for RICA’s precision agriculture instruction and programming. The candidate will work with other RICA faculty in teaching site specific crop management and other courses related to agriculture. They will also provide direction for students in extracurricular activities related to land use and mapping, such as clubs, industry visits and guest speakers. Ideal candidates will have a passion for experiential education with a focus on precision agriculture. RICA faculty commit to the RICA teaching philosophy, which celebrates experiential learning that is founded in research and extends to the community. This position is a comprehensive teaching position where the successful candidate is a participant in all aspects of the program, including the responsibilities listed below.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead course development and instruction for Site-Specific Crop Management courses.
- Participate in team teaching the experiential first-year Practical Farming series and other cropping systems courses.
- Provide supervision, direction and mentorship students on capstone and internship experiences.
- Introduce and direct maintenance of a geodatabase of RICA land resources, infrastructure, and land management.
- Champion Conservation Agriculture and One Health principles in teaching and mentoring.
- Join the extension team in providing precision agriculture and remote sensing solutions to farm management questions.
- Conduct interdisciplinary research adapting precision agriculture technologies to Rwandan agriculture.
- Advise students in extracurricular activities focused on remote sensing and land use, including clubs.
- Develop and sustain networks of diverse stakeholders with precision agriculture interests to leverage relationships to achieve common goals.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Fluent speaker of English
- PhD in Agriculture, Remote Sensing or other relevant degree, or a relevant MS degree and 5 years or more of recent relevant experience.
- Teaching and research experience.
- Enthusiasm for program success, experiential learning, student engagement, and community extension.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience as a drone operator.
- Experience teaching precision agriculture and mapping principles and concepts.
- Experience in agriculture.
- Experience in experiential learning and team teaching.
- Demonstrated success in in extension or applied research (publications, presentations, awards).
- Familiarity with Rwandan agriculture and land use.
HOW TO APPLY
- Fill the information required, upload and submit the documents in English to the link provided below.
- Cover Letter summarizing intent and suitability for the position.
- A resume or CV.
- Official degree certificate for highest degree obtained.
- Summary of the applicant’s teaching experiences (500 words max).
- The applicant’s philosophy of education and how this aligns with the mission of RICA (500 words max).
- List of recommenders with contact information.
Please combine your resume/CV with your degree certificate, and any other relevant document, as one PDF file before you upload.
Application Link
https://rica.bamboohr.com/jobs/
Application review will begin May 17, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.
Website: https://www.rica.rw/
