International Potato Center (CIP)

Position Announcement

Ref. 09-01 PO/NRS/SSA

Project Officer

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research organization with a global mandate to conduct research on genetic resources of potatoes, sweetpotatoes, and other Andean roots and tubers, crop genetic enhancement and improvement, integrated crop management and sustainable management of natural resources and urban agriculture. CIP’s vision is to contribute from its areas of expertise to the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular those goals that relate to poverty, hunger, child and maternal mortality, and sustainable development in rural and urban systems. CIP has its headquarters in Lima, Peru with staff and activities in locations across Africa, Asia and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Alliance of the CGIAR Centers, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 60 donor members.

The Position: Project Officer: Rwanda

The International Potato Center is seeking a project officer based in Ruhengeri, Rwanda, to work on a USAID funded project aimed at improving the production of Irish potato seed in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. The Project Officer will work closely with the national potato program of Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Rwanda (ISAR) to establish a new seed production technique (aeroponics) as well as liaising with other project partners in Rwanda, including Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The Project Officer will be responsible for co-ordination of project activities within Rwanda, including preparation of quarterly reports and management of project finances. The project officer will report to the CIP Regional Research Fellow based in Kabale, Uganda, and will have access to the CIAT office in Kigali. The position will be based in Ruhengeri and is for a period of 20 months.

The successful candidate will require:

• Master’s degree in agricultural or horticultural sciences or Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of field experience.
• Proficiency in English and French (written and spoken)
• Experience of working with Irish potato, irrigation systems or screenhouse production of horticultural crops.
• Experience of project financial management and writing progress reports.
• Experience of working with smallholder farmers.
• Proficiency with common computer applications (Word, Excel)

Applications: Interested applicants should apply by email, sending a brief cover letter summarizing their interest and qualifications for this position, a full C.V.outlining education, relevant experience (including language proficiencies), and the names and contact information of two referees to B.Lemaga@cgiar.org. The reference name of the position should be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message. Applications should be submitted by 19 February 2009.

To learn more about CIP please visit http://www.cipotato.org.

CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff.