Job Vacancies at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) Facilities Manager

Job Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Job type: Full-time
Contract: 2-year renewable contract

Duties

• Develop and implement short-term and long-term operational plans for controlled environment facilities, screen houses, and seed and plant material processing facilities.
• Coordinate with researchers and stakeholders to optimize facility utilization and support research objectives.
• Implement and enforce safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of all facility users and visitors.
• Supervise, train, and mentor facilities personnel, including technicians and support staff.
• Maintain effective communication with research staff and management, aligning facility activities with research objectives.
• Implement principles of continuous improvement in managing facilities.
• Maintain accurate records of facility operations, maintenance activities, and resource utilization.
• Prepare regular progress reports and updates on facility operations for management and stakeholders.
• Oversee routine maintenance, repair, and facility upgrades, ensuring smooth operations.
• Implement preventive maintenance programs and respond promptly to equipment malfunctions and facility issues.
• Perform fertility, weed, and pest management of indoor plant material.
• Develop and manage the annual budget for the facilities, adhering to financial guidelines and ensuring cost-effective resource use.
• Monitor expenditures, providing financial reports to management and stakeholders.
• Observe health, safety, and environmental guidelines.
• Perform any other job-related tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements
Qualifications and Experience:

• B.Sc/HND in Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, or Post-Harvest Technology or related fields with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in facilities management, preferably in a research or controlled environment.
• Possession of Master's and COREN Certificate is an added advantage.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Demonstrate knowledge of controlled environment facility operations and best practices.
• Have strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Be proficient in the use of facility management software and tools.
• Be experienced in budget development and financial management.
• Have an excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken is essential.

Benefits
We offer highly competitive salaries with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date: 14th August, 2023.

Click here to apply online

2.) Information Technology Infrastructure Analyst II

Job Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Job type: Full-time
Contract: 3 years renewable contract

Duties

• Assist in the configuration of all network and communication equipment in the institute.
• Assist in the logical design and management, administration of the entire network and communication infrastructure, which includes routers, core and access switches, wireless dedicated links (access points, base-stations etc.), PABX, IPBX, modems, tabled-based phones (analog and digital) and mobile communication devices.
• Work along with the group to Install, configure, and maintain multiple network and communication devices, ensuring proper integration with other IT systems and infrastructure on the network.
• Troubleshoot along with other group members in responding to escalated calls/tickets from the ServiceDesk group and assist with 2nd and 3rd-level support and administration to all users in the institute (both remotely and on-site).
• Perform firmware installations, patches, and upgrades to all network and communications devices.
• Manage, monitor, and tune network systems (i.e. network and communication devices) to achieve optimum performance levels.
• Work in the group to assist with the implementation of the revised policies and procedures for network usage, the internet, and all related communication services.
• Manage, maintain, and ensure that all IT-related end-user communication gadgets e.g. desktop IP phones, smartphones, and PDAs; can connect seamlessly on the network.
• Monitor network Infrastructure KPIs i.e. processor activity, memory usage, disk I/O, disk usage, and mailing out warnings when these reach critical thresholds.
• Ensure that all IITA stations are connected and able to access network resources at the HQ; also give network-related assistance to the Station IT officer when necessary.
• Perform high-level support on logical network/communication devices, as well as related software and mobile communication components along with the NOC group.
• Assist with all hardware-related setup on all network/communication devices, event, fault and performance management, systems performance management, and configuration management.
• Perform any other job-related tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements
Qualifications:

• B.Sc / HND in Computer Science / Engineering, Electrical / Mechanical Engineering, Information Technology or any other Engineering related courses with a minimum of three (3) years of experience performing similar role in a well-structured environment.
• Possession of professional certifications in Network Management (COMPTIA, ITIL, MCP, MCSA, CCNA, Network technologies) is essential.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must:

• Be experience in layer-3 Network Design and Management
• Be familiar with Voice Communications, all client operating systems both Microsoft and Mac OS.

Benefits

• We offer highly competitive salaries with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date: 14th August, 2023.

Click here to apply online

3.) Head of Data and Research Methods Unit

Job Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Duration: The contract will be for an initial period of three years.

Job Description
The Data and Research Methods Unit is envisioned as a new organizational structure to be created and coordinated by the successful candidate for this position. Below are some indicative responsibilities for this newly-established unit:

• Acting as the primary convener for a smoothly functioning team that includes data scientists, data managers, geospatial scientists, bioinformaticians, biometricians and other key personnel, with formalized participation of legal and other experts as needed.
• Implementing robust data governance and compliance and working with other relevant IITA units (including those dealing with project management and reporting, legal issues etc.) to incentivize best practices in relation to data management.
• Facilitating access to and incentivizing use of ready-to-deploy tools and capabilities by IITA researchers and partners that enable digital collection of FAIR data and render high-value historical data FAIR.
• Enabling unified access to data systems and seamless integration across tools and services facilitate and speed up the research cycle, including cost-optimized compute/store solutions (with collaborative capabilities where needed).
• Maintaining, revising as necessary, and operationalizing IITA’s data management strategy.
• Ensuring that IITA data is open and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) through the use of common standards, ethically managed, and available via a common database in compliance with CGIAR’s Open and FAIR Data Assets Policy – with long-term archiving in IITA’s institutional repository.
• Assuring that IITA publications are Open Access.
• Institutionalizing and incentivizing open and FAIR data assets by addressing lack of knowledge, attitude, skills and habits (KASH) by developing SoPs, building the data science and data management capacity of IITA scientists and their partners, organizing hackathons etc.

Position Responsibilities

• Establish, lead, and manage a new Data and Research Methods Unit at IITA, bringing together siloed data and associated management efforts (e.g., bioinformatics, soils, GIS, breeding, agronomy) under a single DRMU umbrella.
• Assume responsibility for developing and managing a budget for the DRMU.
• Building on the draft IITA data management strategy and ongoing developments at the CGIAR level, finalize a strategy and operational plan for the Unit that addresses needs and brings clarity to teams, their roles, responsibilities, reporting, and unit functions. Apart from these, the strategy should:
  • Identify mechanisms for at least partial cost recovery of the unit.
  • Develop a structure, staffing plan, and timetable for filling positions.
  • Identify KPIs for the DRMU and its sub-teams, along with key deliverables for the short (1 year) and medium term (3 years).
• Develop a communication plan to ensure that all IITA staff are aware of the role of the unit, the support it provides, and the responsibilities of both IITA and DRMU staff.
• Identify existing products, tools, and approaches across IITA and CGIAR that enable FAIRER (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable, Ethical, and Replicable) data, and develop a strategy to minimize duplication of effort and institutionalize their use.
• Establish necessary protocols, procedures, and training plans to assure that IITA data management adheres to CGIAR policy and more broadly to FAIRER principles.
• Enable the generation of value from a harmonised data infrastructure for the institute, e.g., direct calculation of key performance indicators on numbers of partners reached, partners involved, use of research products, etc. by gender, technology, crop, and more - across all IITA projects and research domains.
• To make sure that IITA makes the most of the diverse data it produces, keep abreast of projects involving IITA staff, foster the exchange of research data between these where appropriate, and encourage data-driven multidisciplinary projects resulting in high-impact publications.
• Stay abreast of developments in data management, data analysis, and scientific computing methods, to ensure that IITA is following best practices.
• Stay up to date on requirements from IITA programs and staff on data management and research methods, assisting scientists to adopt best practices and new data management and analytics technologies where appropriate.
• Oversee IITA’s scientific computing infrastructure and make strategic decisions pertaining to it.
• Identify needs and facilitate a training program to enable IITA scientists to use relevant data science approaches.
• Develop processes and incentives to ensure that staff comply with FAIRER data management policies and procedures, formalizing links with IITA’s legal and project management teams to track FAIRER data through a project’s life cycle.
• Advise management on how processes and incentives to assure FAIRER data should be implemented (e.g., with explicit indicators included in scientist evaluations).
• Liaise with IITA’s ICT Unit on hardware and software requirements to ensure effective, efficient, and secure data management and scientific computing capacity.
• Contribute to scientific research and communication (up to 20% FTE).
• Perform any other job-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements
Educational Qualifications and Experience:

• The candidate should have a Ph.D in Agriculture with significant data science expertise, or other advanced degree with demonstrated experience in data science applied to agricultural issues.

Core Competencies:

• At least five years of experience working in a similar role.
• Strong understanding of and experience working with agricultural data management, in at least one but ideally across domains (e.g., agronomy, plant breeding+) and analytics including large (e.g., spatial) data, ideally including machine learning approaches.
• Strong statistical background with demonstrated application to agricultural data.
• Familiarity with API development and the Open API Specification.
• Strong expertise in R, Python; experience with json, xml, html, java suite, and/or other relevant programming languages, and methodologies like Agile Scrum a plus.
• Experience with FAIR data principles and with developing or using common data standards for interoperability (e.g., ontologies, controlled vocabularies).
• Familiarity with user-centered design principles and development of dashboards.
• Experience developing product profiles, pipelines, and managing towards impact-focused solutions.
• Self-motivated critical thinker and team player, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with project and code management tools (e.g., GitHub, Atlassian tools, SourceForge etc).
• Persuasive professional, with demonstrated ability to collaborate with and bring together individuals and teams from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds for consultatively developed products.
• Ability to reliably meet deadlines and deliver high-caliber outputs.
• Advanced fluency in English.

Benefits
IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Application Closing Date: 7th August, 2023.

Click here to apply online

Note

• Applications must include a cover letter which should address how the candidate’s background / experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor / Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head of People and Culture.
• IITA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women.
• While all applications will be acknowledged, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

4.) Equipment Services Manager

Job Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Job type: Full-time
Contract: 2-year renewable contract

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair farm and research plot equipment.
• Work closely with the site Farm Supervisor to ensure all equipment functions properly.
• Observe health, safety, and environmental guidelines.
• Assist with field operations.
• Maintain accurate records of equipment and machinery, maintenance activities, and resource utilization.
• Safely manage the research workshop.
• Assist with procuring machinery and implements for farm operations.
• Manage and maintain irrigation pumps, water sources, and field irrigation systems.
• Maintain growth facilities, fabricate and modify implements.
• Prepare regular progress reports and updates on machinery, including investment plans for management and relevant stakeholders.
• Perform any other job-related tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements
Qualifications and Experience:

• B.Sc/HND in Mechanical, Agricultural Engineering, or any other related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of experience in operating, repairing, and maintaining heavy-duty agricultural equipment and machinery in a well-structured organization.
• Possession of Master and COREN Certificate is an added advantage.

Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:

• Be experienced in servicing, maintaining, repairing, and overhauling vehicles and small engines.
• Have knowledge of electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and mechanics of equipment.
• Be experience and willing to learn how to operate farm equipment with GPS.
• Have strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Be experienced in budget development and financial management.
• Be experienced in repair of air conditioning systems in agricultural equipment.
• Be xperienced in troubleshooting, analyzing faults, recommending, and implementing corrective measures.
• Understand utilizing detailed drawings and trade manuals.
• Have computer skills for record-keeping, internet research, repair procedures, and email.
• Be experienced in welding and metal fabrication ((e.g., turning a shaft down on a metal lathe).

Benefits
We offer highly competitive salaries with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date: 14th August, 2023.

Click here to apply online