Central Africa: Plant Health Specialist

Nov 21, 2015 | AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center
View Original

AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center is an international non-profit research and development center committed to alleviating poverty and malnutrition in developing countries through the increased production and consumption of nutritious and health-promoting vegetables.  Founded in 1971 with headquarters in Taiwan, the Center’s global network today covers East and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Central and West Asia and North Africa.  For more information about AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center,please visit our website: www.avrdc.org.

AVRDC seeks a broad-based Plant Health Scientist with a good field experience to work in Mali at AVRDC’s West and Central Africa Office.

The Job:

The Plant Health Scientist will conduct research to reduce the effects of insect pests and diseases on the yield, quality and marketability of vegetables using effective and environmentally sustainable practices.

His/her major responsibilities will comprise:

• Establish pest diagnosis and identification capacity by developing or adopting protocols, and establishing an expert network for collaboration and consultation;
• Collaborate with AVRDC colleagues on monitoring target pests, especially those emerging invasive species for West and Central Africa region;
• Validate or develop integrated approaches to manage target pests in collaboration with AVRDC colleagues and partners;
• Contribute to build capacity of national and international researchers in integrated pest management;
• Support extension activities related to integrated pest management by conducting training, and preparing extension publications etc.;
• Lead or contribute to the preparation of project proposals and scientific publications.

The Person:

• PhD in one of the plant protection disciplines like entomology, pathology, virology, or closely related and relevant qualification, with five or more years of experience in diagnosing, managing and solving pest and diseases in crops.
• Demonstrated ability to publish in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to promote team-work in an interdisciplinary and multicultural context.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and French

The Reward:

This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with competitive pay and benefits.  The initial appointment is for three years and may be extended depending on requirement, funding availability, and performance of the incumbent.

How to Apply:  

Applicants should send application with curriculum vitae with education background, work experiences, professional skills, names, and contact addresses (phone number and e-mail) of three referees by e-mail to human.resources@worldveg.org before 31 January 2016.