Liberia: Land and Water Specialist
May 9, 2016
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Africa Rice Center
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The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is seeking a highly qualified Land and water management specialist to be based at AfricaRice, Liberia. AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. It is also an autonomous intergovernmental association of African member countries.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will coordinate the SMART-VALLEYS project and implement activities in Sierra Leone and Liberia in collaboration with national partners. Furthermore the candidate will contribute to the Small-holder Agriculture Productivity Enhancement and Commercialization Project (SAPEC) funded by the African Development Bank.
This position involves all aspects of leading a research program on land and water development with activities in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Land and Water Development Specialist will report to AfricaRice Country Representative in Liberia
S/he will:
- Coordinate the SMART-VALLEYS project and be responsible for budget planning, annual work plan development, timely implementation of project activities, communication and reporting to the donor, supervision and backstopping of national partners;
- Develop demonstration sites for land and water development in inland valleys to improve rice production and reduce vulnerability of farmers to climate variability;
- Provide guidance to the development and deployment of integrated water management strategies from field to basin scale to achieve more effective use of rain and irrigation water resources in rice-based farming systems;
- Provide training to research and extension staff as well as to farmers on land and water development in lowlands and inland valleys in Liberia and Sierra Leone;
- Provide technical specifications and guidance for lowland development and training in land and water management programs;
- Mentor MSc students, PhD students and young scientists from national partners in research on land and water development;
- Publish research results in peer reviewed journals and other relevant outlets; and
- Undertake any other activities related to land and water management activities as deemed necessary by the AfricaRice country Representative; such as the development in collaboration with farmers of at least 2 ha of lowlands per Project County in Liberia using low cost technics.
Qualifications/Selection Criteria
Education: a Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Science / Rural Engineering or any related subject
Work Experience: More than five years of proven experience in project coordination and implementation. Experience in rice production systems, and land and water development in inland valley systems in West-Africa.
Key Competencies Required: Strong background in land valley development and water management, participatory research and development approaches; willingness and ability to travel in and to the target countries, and to conduct field activities; capacity to provide training to researchers, extension officers and rice farmers; good communication and writing skills; demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary working environments.
Language
The candidate should communicate fluently (orally and in writing) in English.
Terms and Conditions
This is a consultancy assignment.
AfricaRice provides attractive international salary and benefits package and a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment.
The appointment is for one year with the possibility for renewal.