Scientist – ILRI-BMZ Project Closing date 18 September 2006 Organisational unit Biotechnology Theme Duty station ILRI – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Vacancy announcement no. Ref: SC/T4/07/2006
Responsibilities *
General:* The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is an international not-for-profit research and capacity building institution supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ILRI works at the crossroads of livestock and poverty, bringing high-quality science and capacity-building to bear on poverty reduction and sustainable development for poor livestock keepers and their communities. ILRI?s headquarter is located in Nairobi, Kenya, but it maintains sites at various locations in developing regions of the world, including a principle research campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where this position will be based.
The position: ILRI is recruiting a Scientist to join the Biotechnology Theme that seeks to improve the understanding of the genetic diversity and enhanced utilization of indigenous animal genetic resources; and to reduce disease risk through the use of vaccines and diagnostics. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating and managing all operational activities and outputs undertaken in a research project aiming to develop a systematic framework for identifying and testing potential solutions for the sustainable use and community-based in-situ conservation of animal genetics resources (AnGR). The contribution of this BMZ -funded project to ILRI?s overall objective involves the identification of producer and consumer preferences for alternative livestock; the quantification of market opportunities for indigenous livestock and the identification of institutional or policy constraints to commercialisation and marketing. This project is being implemented in Kenya Ethiopia and Benin. The mentoring of Ph.D. and . students who perform much of this work, also results in the building of research capacity in these countries. Specific duties include:
Specific duties include: *
- Coordinate/manage all operational activities and outputs of the ILRI-BMZ project undertaken by the research teams in the three study countries, taking care of technical and administrative matters. - Test and promote community-based management approach to engage poor livestock keepers and service providers towards improved utilization of indigenous AnGR, including indigenous trypanotolerant livestock. - Develop tools and strategies for surveying, characterizing, improving, utilizing and conserving livestock genetic resources at local and regional levels. - Provide technical back-stopping to on-going projects (DAGRIS, Ghibe cattle trypanotolerance project). - Initiate new research projects and provide technical support for others within ILRI to do so on a variety of research projects. - Analyse research results, and prepare/publish research results as scientific reports, - Draw out lessons learned from implemented projects and ensure their dissemination through appropriate channels - Undertake fund raising in collaboration with various units within ILRI and with partnering units in other institutions. - Guide and technically support staff. - Facilitate the training of ILRI partners in issues related to sustainable use of AnGR.
Core competencies
- An appreciation of the context of animal breeding in developing countries. - Skills in project management, including use of standard budget and project management software. - Ability to work in a multi-institutional, multi-country and multi-cultural environment.
Education
- A PhD degree or equivalent, in livestock agriculture.
Work experience
- Experience with community-level participatory rural appraisal, planning and action research.
Languages
- Excellent oral as well as written communication skills.
Terms of appointment
Initial appointment is for three years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive remuneration package paid in US dollars.
Applications
Applicants should send a cover letter (quoting Ref: SC/T4/07/2006), curriculum vitae and the names and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience, to the:
Head of Human Resources ILRI, P.O. Box 30709 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: 254-020-4223000 Fax: 254-020-4223001 E-mail:
The name and reference number of the position for which the application is made should be clearly marked on the envelopes of mailed, or on the fax or email applications. The application deadline is: *18th September 2006
To find more about ILRI, visit our Website at
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.
