Jobs at Grameen Foundation in Uganda- Research/Early warning Systems Specialist

Job Title: Research/Early warning Systems Specialist

About this job

Our client Grameen Foundation is a non profit organization that is seeking to recruit result driven and motivated individuals for the Vacancy above;

Reports to: Manager, Content and Services

Job Summary: The Researcher - Early warning systems will be responsible for creating research intelligence and establishing research linkages to ensure that products and services provided to farmers are well founded with strong linkage to Ag extension.

Duties and Responsibilities:

    Establish & strengthen linkages between GF and research institutions like NARO, NaCRRI,  IFPRI, FAO,   NARL, ICRISAT, CIMMYAT, ASARECA, CGIAR etc. as well as the different ZARDs as sources of content and new improved technologies
    Source, assess & refine appropriate technologies generated by the research scientists in the different research institutes or ZARDIs and private organizations to be disseminated to farmers
    Conduct field diagnostic (problem-solving) visits, identify the field problems and propose appropriate  intervention
    Support the development of diagnostic tools
    Carry out research on the key enterprises or activities based on region or district, season and farmer interest
    Develop crop calendars for the selected enterprises in the different regions leading to EWS for the different crop enterprises
    Source and supply need based scientific or popular information to the FCC  agents on the different enterprises for re-packaging & dissemination to farmers
    Strengthen the Farmer-Extension-Research interaction model through feedback analysis to design action points
    Carry out monthly trends analysis for the farmer/customer queries & document findings and alert the supervisor of the trends in customer calls and assist in developing FAQs
    Establish and maintain professional and functional working relationships with partners involved in EWS like UDOM, ITU (international Telecommunications Union)-UCC, IFPRI, FAO, MAAIF (Development of National Early Warning System (DEWS) project, FEWSNET etc. to develop EWS for farmers
    Assessing and analyzing existing early warning systems, policies and practice, both on national level and in the target areas or districts.
    Support the setting up of farmer groups and selecting of model farmers in the selected regions to drive adoption
    Document key learning from farmers and research on local technologies used by the farmers
    Provide technical trainings to FCC agents, CKWs and farmers on the new agriculture appropriate technologies, pest & disease diagnostics etc.
    Support in-field content prototyping and participate in the collection of feedback for content improvement
    Designing & development  of research questionnaires/ surveys on content usability and feedback analysis from CKWs, farmers and other clients
    Answer to farmer queries as may be required by the FCC agents or identify escalation points for complicated farmer queries

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

    Has a deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission
    Believes in the potential to leverage information and communication technology (ICTs) to promote agriculture
    Is able to think creatively about the commercial side of  extension product development
    Has strong written and oral communication skills/ ability to speak several local languages is a big plus

Qualifications:

    A bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and a post graduate in extension services/ agribusiness or related field
    2+ years’ experience of practical research
    Experience in development economics research would be a valuable assets;
    Knowledge of, and experience in, the application of good agricultural Practices
    Ability to take initiative and work without constant supervision
    Knowledge and practical work experience in the field of agricultural extension, farm advisory work and/or small farmer training and development.

How to Apply:

Please follow the instructions as stated below as failure to do so could lead to disqualification.

1. Send an Application letter and CV/Resume.

2. Merge these two documents into one document in either word or pdf format.

3. Do not attach or send any scanned documents, these are sometimes too large for our inbox.

4. Include the job title and/or reference number in the subject line of the email address   and send your application by email to grameenjobs@nftconsult.com

5. Only successful candidates will be contacted. For all other inquiries please contact our offices directly.



Deadline: 28th January 2013