Research Technician - ICRISAT - South Sudan

This is a role for the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‑Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and hosted by IFDC

About IFDC

IFDC is a public international organization active in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, and America. IFDC uniquely approaches the global issues of food security and poverty by bridging the gap between research and impact, combining science-based innovations, holistic market systems development, an enabling policy environment, and strategic partnerships to assist farmers and countries to identify and scale sustainable agricultural solutions, including improved nutrient use efficiency. These approaches are needed to boost soil health and crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use. IFDC translates research into action by using locally driven, environmentally sound, and impact-oriented solutions. With our partners, we seek to close the yield gap, eradicate global hunger, safeguard the soil on which our lives depend, and generate economic resilience for farming households and the countries in which they live.  

Responsibilities

• Document demand for trials seed production as guided by scientists and coordinate the seed production.
• Maintain seed inventory and supervise short term trial seed storage.
• Design and pack trials under the direction of a scientist.
• Establish trials in the designated testing sites
• Ensure trials and demonstrations are established on time and planted according to trial design.
• Ensure trials are well managed for quality data.
• Ensure the accuracy of data entry and consolidation for analysis by the Scientist for informed decision-making.
• Learn and operate the Breeding Management System (BMS) in order to manage routine operations, data upload, data curation, cleaning and preliminary analysis.
• Implement timely digital data capture using the relevant tools and software
• Manage a team of casual laborers involved in planting weeding, harvesting and trial processing, seed processing, see inventory, trial packaging, trial distribution.
• Ensure the casual team receives the necessary training to conduct their tasks.
• Ensure safety and hygiene standards are adhered to and well managed.
• Assist in training partners on a need basis and coordinate with the supervisor.
• Manage printing of packets, labels, tags, and seed inventory.
• Participate in exhibitions, demonstrations, and field days.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture or a related field
• At least 2 years of experience in a research institution and an understanding of plant breeding
• Experience in a research environment, specifically in field layout, data analysis, and good crop husbandry practices
• Sound interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.
• Candidates with less experience but proven ability to deliver may be considered
• Preferably having experience of working in multi-cultural and interdisciplinary teams.
• Experience in an international organization environment will be an added advantage
• Practical experience in field experimental work
• Ability to prioritize and organize work efficiently and independently
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure with minimal supervision
• Good interpersonal skills, integrity, honesty and self-motivation
• Computer literacy in MS Office.
• Fluency in English is an added advantage

Reporting and Work Relationships

These positions will report to the Senior Scientist

Location

Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria & Northern Bahr - el Ghazal

Benefits

IFDC's benefits include annual and sick leave, health and group life insurance coverage, a 13th-month salary, social security and pension contribution in compliance with local laws and end-of-contract benefits.

Salary Clause

The determination of new employee salaries takes into account various factors. These include the salary range linked to the assigned job grade, the candidate's qualifications in relation to the job's responsibilities and prerequisites, internal fairness, the competitive state of the job market, as well as potential organizational and budgetary considerations.