Research Technician at IITA – Ghana

IITA is recruiting for a Research Technician position for an on-going donor-funded project across Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. The successful candidate will work as a member of a team of research and development partners working with National Research Institutions, Cocoa buying companies, community-based organizations and farmers in Ghana.

Main Duties:

• Ensure the correct establishment and implementation of research trials according to the agreed protocols
•  Provide technical support to partners’ Field Technicians leading implementation of Satellite Trials
• Support partner Field Technicians in data collection and management from the on-station and on-farm research activities
• Support the development of data collection tools (by providing feedback on use of existing tools) for on-station and on-farm research activities
• Work with research and development partners working with National Research Institutions, Cocoa buying companies, community-based organizations and farmers in implementing CocoaSoils related research activities
• Contribute to the development and review of research protocols for on-station and on-farm research design and implementation through field feedback
• Contribute to the identification and selection of farmers and cocoa fields for on-farm research
• Facilitate data collection and management from the on-station and on-farm research activities (focusing on the Satellite Trials)
• Assist in validating and communicating research results to stakeholders in the cocoa sector
• Develop work plans and budgets for field related activities on CocoaSoils
• Provide technical support for on-farm research activities of student/interns working on cocoa
• Produce reports on field activities and observations from field visits
• Reports to the Project Research Assistant

Minimum Qualification and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Agriculture from a recognized University.
• At least 2-3 years relevant experience in on-farming research for development activities on cocoa.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability in undertaking research-for-development activities
• Demonstrated ability in working with development partners to disseminate cocoa recommendations
• Good writing and verbal communication skills in English and other local languages in Ghana (if applicable).
• Good team player and adaptable to working with private companies and in multicultural environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills especially in local environment.
• Good knowledge of the cocoa sector key actors in Ghana is an advantage.

Duty Station: Accra with consistent field work travels to project sites across the cocoa growing belt of Ghana.

Terms of appointment: This is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position. Initial appointment is fixed term for two years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding.