Job Description
icipe is seeking to appoint an outstanding scientist to fill the position of Senior Scientist, Push–Pull Programme.
The position is based at icipe’s Thomas Odhiambo Campus, Mbita, western Kenya. The position will be offered for an initial contract of 3 years, renewable, subject to continued project needs, funding for the position, and performance of the staffmember. A competitive and generous compensation package that includes housing and transport allowances, education allowance, comprehensive health and life insurance cover, and an offshore retirement package (all payable in US Dollars), will be offered to the
right candidate. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
Living in Mbita, Kenya
icipe Thomas Odhiambo Campus (ITOC), Mbita is situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, with excellent housing facilities for staff and students. The Campus sits on 24.5 hectares of land, 40% of which consists of experimental fields and buildings with landscaped gardens. ITOC’s research structures include state-of-the-art laboratories and offices, as well as insect and animal rearing facilities.
The Campus also hosts a kindergarten, a primary school, and a Guest House.
Overall Purpose of the Job
The overall purpose of the job is to lead the Push–Pull Programme teams under the Plant Health Theme. Reporting to the Head of Plant Health Theme, the incumbent is part of a multidisciplinary team providing leadership, research and development strategy to the Centre in collaboration with icipe’s other scientists. It is expected that the job holder will maintain a portfolio of research aligned with icipe’s vision and strategy.
Specific Duties
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Lead and spearhead the development of a coherent vision and strategic framework for the Push–Pull Programme in line with icipe’s strategy and goals, and international best practices.
- Organise a Push–Pull Programme structure to cost-effectively utilise resources to meet icipe’s research, capacity and institutional building needs.
- Provide cutting-edge scientific leadership to scientists and technical staff to further develop, adapt, optimise and scale up Push–Pull technology to a broad range of agro-ecosystems and farming systems.
- Guide scientists and technical staff within the Programme to ensure timely preparation of annual work-plans, budgets, and scientific and technical reports for donors.
- Ensure that the Push–Pull Programme members continually update skills and methodologies to keep up with global cutting-edge knowledge that is relevant to the Plant Health Theme’s research.
- Provide leadership and guidance to scientists in the publication of research outputs in highimpact peer-reviewed journals, as well as provide stewardship of intellectual property developed under the programme.
- Promote and establish collaborative linkages within icipe and with national, regional and international institutions in the Programme’s relevant fields of research under the Plant Health Theme.
- Actively seek and secure external support for the activities of the Push–Pull Programme, including resources to develop and grow the research portfolio.
- Manage and develop the staff of the Push–Pull Programme to create and foster a culture of scientific excellence and to ensure that the Programme has the human resources required now and into the future.
- Prudently manage financial, physical and intellectual resources under the Push–Pull
Programme.
- Facilitate peer-review of the performance of Push–Pull Programme staff.
- Initiate periodic reviews of the performance of the Push–Pull Programme to ensure relevance and quality.
- Act as a spokesperson and representative of the Programme.
- Ensure that the Programme meets its legal and reporting responsibilities to all stakeholders, including partners and donors.
Requirements/Qualifications
- PhD degree in entomology or related agricultural sciences, but preferably with expertise in habitat management, chemical ecology, agronomy or biological control from a reputable university, and postdoctoral training from a highly reputed laboratory.
- Ten (10) years’ experience progressively gained in either a research organisation or a
university.
- Excellent publication track record with at least 50 publications.
Core Competencies
- Track record of writing successful proposals for large grants.
- Proven record of managing large resources, both financial and human, in an international research environment.
- Proven experience of working with farmers, preferably in Africa, and transdisciplinary research and development collaboration in social science research, agricultural economics or related disciplines.
- Experience in capacity building through supervision and mentorship of MSc and PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows.
- Excellent communication skills are mandatory.
- Track record of exemplary leadership qualities is essential.
- High degree of organisation, adaptability and prioritisation.
Reporting
This position reports to the Head of the Plant Health Theme.