Deputy Manager for the Sweetpotato in Africa Geographic Program

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an accomplished research manager and scientist to assist its leader of its 10 year Sweetpotato for Profit and Health Initiative (SPHI) in day-to-day management, evaluation, and growth of the program to ensure that the goal of impacting 10 million African households through the effective and diversified use of sweetpotato is reached by 2020.

The Center: CIP 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. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

The position: CIP and its research and development partners are currently engaged in joint breeding, seed system, crop management, and delivery system research for development activities in 9 Sub-Saharan African countries, with a perspective to expanding to 7 additional countries. To achieve its goals, a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system is required to ensure valid cross-country comparisons and to ensure impact on target populations. This needs to be done within the context of a reforming agricultural research system which seeks to enhance collaborative research for development with a broad range of stakeholders. Within this context, there is need to better understand how to take promising technologies to scale.

CIP has its main regional office in Nairobi, Kenya, but this position will be based in Kampala, Uganda or Kigali, Rwanda. The scientist will report to the SPHI leader in Nairobi, Kenya.

Duties and Accountabilities:

Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation activities across all projects with sweetpotato components in SSA, assuring compliance with CIP’s medium-term plan and individual donor requirements
Assist the leader of the SPHI in the overall management of the program
Conduct research on understanding how to take promising technologies-to-scale and capturing their impact
Mobilizing resources for expanding the program in line with SPHI objectives.

Selection Criteria:

PhD in agricultural economics, economics, nutrition or another field with a strong minor in applied economics and at least four years of post-doctoral work experience.
Strong knowledge of monitoring and evaluation theory and demonstrated practical experience.
Experience in managing research programs, preferably in a multi-disciplinary context.
Strong communication and writing skills and ability to develop a close and effective working relationship with a variety of stakeholders such as researchers, administrators, and farmers.
Good publication record commensurate with years of experience.
Commitment to work in a multi-partner, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment and in developing countries.
Willingness to travel extensively.
Fluency in English and demonstration of competency in French, Portuguese or Spanish is required.

Conditions: Employment contract will be for an initial three-year term with possibility of renewal. Salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP provides additional benefits including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance and retirement benefits. Allowances toward relocation, housing, home leave travel, dependents’ education and annual leave are also provided. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of three references who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: CIP-Recruitment@cgiar.org. The title of the position should be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on December 5, 2011 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, 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 from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply

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