Country: Mozambique
Closing date: 30 Sep 2016
Job Description: The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks to recruit a talented and motivated Field Technician to support activities at district level under the Project on Viable Sweetpotato Technologies in Africa (VISTA).
Location: Nampula & Alto Molocue, Mozambique
The Center: CIP (www.cipotato.org ) is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high-quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions.
The Project: The overall goal of VISTA Mozambique is to contribute to improved nutrition, food security and incomes of 100,000 smallholder farming families through increased production and better utilization of the biofortified orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) varieties. The group will include those most at risk of vitamin A deficiency - children under five years of age and pregnant and lactating women. With continued support from USAID / Feed the Future, the project is expanding its current activities to 16 districts in Nampula and Zambezia Provinces for the next 5 years. VISTA is a research and development collaboration between CIP and national and local partners and emphasizes the importance of technical excellence, rigorous evidence base, and capacity development of Mozambican stakeholders
The Position: The field Technician will assume the following duties and responsibilities:
General:
Lead the project activities at district level.
Responsible for coordinating all VISTA related aspects with partners
Perform data collection at the district level
Responsible for writing reports timely according to CIP deadlines
Ensure the Project meets its goals
The incumbent reports to the Agronomist
Responsibilities (Specifics):
Select farmers at community level to become Decentralized Vine Multipliers (DVM)
Train DVMs, smallholder farmers and partners on sweetpotato production techniques, vine conservation and marketing
Support DVMs on multiplication of clean planting material
Support DVMs on vines distribution to smallholder farmers and partners
Conduct market study survey at district level
Coordinate with the Government Extension worker the data collection on vine distribution, planting area and marketing
Conduct yield assessment to determine the performance of the varieties
Lead OFSP Promotional Days
Establish linkage between OFSP growers with traders
Establish a linkage between OSFP growers with agro-processors enabling the enhancement of the OFSP value chain.
Along with the District Agricultural Department identify strong and non-governmental organizations which can help to spread the OFSP based on an integrated approach involving agriculture, nutrition and marketing.
Liaise with the nutritionist to re-inforce synergies in nutrition, marketing and education fields.
Liaise with the nutrition and community radio station team from various partners funded by the USAID.
Prepare bi-weeklies reports.
Any other activity required by CIP
Conditions: The employment contract will be for a three-year term (with a three-month probation period) with the possibility of renewal, subject to availability of funding. The salary will be very competitive, paid in Meticais, and commensurate with experience. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.
How to apply:
Applications: Applicants should apply online through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website (http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ ), including a letter of motivation, a full C.V with the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Screening of applications will begin on 30 September, 2016 and will continue until the post is filled. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals are particularly encouraged to apply