Overall purpose of the job
This position will support research for development
(R4D) activities in the Building Equitable ClimateResilient African Bean &
INsect Sectors (BRAINS) and Accelerating One Health Interventions to Tackle
Pandemic at Source (Accelerate-One Health) projects. In the BRAINS project will
use novel evidenceVACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT (Ref. No. IRS/621/072024) based ideas
originating from bean, fruit tree crops and beneficial insect products to
innovate through Research & Development (R&D), co-create and take
proven technologies to scale through connection of knowledge to industry actors
and national partners with policy support from government. to the
Accelerate-One Health will holistically address the global impact of pests and
diseases of One Health significance and sustainably optimize development
impacts. The broad roles and responsibilities of the incumbent in the BRAINS
project will be to innovatively realign R4D in bean corridors developed by The
Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) and the Alliance of Bioversity and
CIAT with opportunities for pest (e.g., fruit flies, false codling moth)
management in associated fruit tree crops (e.g., mango and avocado) and
beneficial insects farming enterprises (bees and pollination; insects for food,
feed and frass fertilizers) developed by icipe to provide sustainable and
comprehensive solutions for holistic strengthening and resilience of the food
systems, enhance gender equality, job creation and sustainability of
small-scale agriculture. It is expected that such an integrated approach will
facilitate carbon farming to mitigate climate change and ensure prosperous
livelihood especially for women and youth. In the Accelerate-One Health
project, the scientist will leverage on existing expertise and partnerships
national partners to effectively respond to pest and diseases developmental
challenges of One Health significance to strengthen the resilience of food
systems, public health and socioeconomic status of the populace by tackling
multiple drivers simultaneously to promote positive impacts on livelihood and
the environment.
Specific Duties:
Use innovative qualitative and quantitative R4D
tools, data, and frameworks to take to scale pest management technologies
(biopesticides, proteins baits, mass trapping, male annihilation technique,
repellents, field sanitation/use of augmentorium, releases of parasitoids) and
beneficial insects farming enterprises (bees and pollination; insects for food,
feed and frass fertilizers) in fruit trees (mango and avocado) and bean
corridors in the project target countries.
Apply innovative tools, apps, and approaches to
scaling technologies to project target countries to significantly enhance
farmer uptake of technologies, profitability and access of women and youth in
the bean-fruits- and insect-related corridors.
Contribute to the promotion and upscaling of
agri-silviculture in bean and fruit trees cropping systems to enhanced carbon
sequestration and to conserve biodiversity.
Conduct ecological studies, access risk
drivers, spread, impact and inventory of co-evolved natural enemies (insects
predators and microbes) of Parthenium hysterophorus.
Classical biological of P. hysterophorus
through importation of natural enemies from Ethiopia and or South Africa to
quarantine facilities at icipe and evaluation of introduced and native natural
enemies.
Proactive support to the implementation of the
Projects in the participating countries.
Contribute to the timely preparation of annual
work plans, budgets, scientific and technical reports to the donors.
Supervise project team members (researchers,
staff and students) to develop critical skills including resource mobilization,
science writing and peer review.
Actively seek and secure external support
through resource mobilization to develop and grow the One Health research for
development portfolio through cross-thematic linkages.
Promote and establish collaborative linkages
with national, regional and international institutions in the field of One
Health.
Conduct annual work plans and performance
reviews with the staff under their supervision.
Provide leadership assistance to the project’s
Principal Investigator (PI).
Requirements/Qualifications
PhD in Entomology or a related field from a
reputable University.
7 years’ experience gained at either a research
organization and or university.
Track-record in entomology and
interdisciplinary research in tropical insect science.
Experience in technology transfer and
dissemination to end-users.
Experience in writing successful proposals
grants.
Experience in a science leadership role.
Fluency in English and French communication
skills.
Pest ecology and management within the context
of One Health (with proven laboratory and fieldbased experience).
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Willingness to engage in travels and fieldwork.
Other desirable attributes
Experience in capacity building through
supervision and mentorship of MSc and PhD students.
Good publication track record.
Ability to work independently with minimum
supervision.
Strong organizational and leadership skills,
with minimal supervision, and ability to work within multicultural and
interdisciplinary teams in a dynamic work environment.
Willingness to take initiative.
Good team player and provide leadership
assistance to the PI, supervise/mentor Postdoctoral Fellows and Postgraduate
students, Research technicians, and Interns.
Design, experiment, collate, analyse,
interpret, and organize data into manuscripts for peerreviewed publications and
project technical reporting.
Partaking in resource mobilisation through
proposal/grants development.
Proactively engage with partners and seek new
collaboration opportunities as relevant to the projects.
Reporting
This position reports to the Interim Deputy Director General, Research and
Partnerships
How To Apply
