icipe Technical Assistant (Bee Conservation and Diversity)

icipe Technical Assistant (Bee Conservation and Diversity)
March 24, 2015 Job Description
Technical Assistant (Bee Conservation and Diversity)
Ref No. NRS/102/032015
icipe – African Insect Science for Food and Health is a world-class research centre with a mission to alleviate poverty by ensuring food security, improving health, protecting the environment and building the capacity of researchers and communities across the developing world through the application of insect sciences.
Employing more than 450 national and international staff, icipe is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with outposts in Ethiopia and on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya.
icipe has a proud reputation and history of delivering world-quality science that has made crucial contributions to African food and health policy, delivered development outcomes to rural communities and has been at the forefront of building Africa’s biological research capacity.
The Centre’s research activities span the African continent with partnerships linking research organisations not only across Africa but also the globe.
icipe wishes to urgently recruit a suitable person to fill the position of Technical Assistant (Bee Conservation and Diversity) in the Environmental Health Division, EU Bee Health Project.
The position is tenable in Nairobi, Kenya with travel to participating African countries.
This is a two-year contract, with a possibility of extension after successfully completing a six-month probation period of the first contract.
Overall Purpose of the Job: To assist in setting up of bee pollination experiments in greenhouses and the open field following written standard operating procedures (SOPs) in pollination ecology and bee conservation of the Bee Health Project.
Responsibilities include:
Assisting in collection of bee samples in the field in different agroecological zones.
Performing morphometric analyses on bee samples collected from different agroecological zones.
Assisting in bee sample preparation for barcoding analysis.
Assisting in behavioural study of targeted bee pollinator species.
Generating data and maintaining a database of all morphometric, nesting habit and species diversity results from different agroecological zones.
Establishing and curating bee collections from different project countries.
Maintaining instrument logs and records on instrument maintenance schedules.
Monitoring and facilitating procurement of lab supplies, and equipment inventory.
Training interns and students on attachment.
Knowledge and Skills Required for Performing the Job
Knowledge in use of various bee traps for collecting bee samples in the field.
Good bee sampling techniques in the field and data collection skills.
Knowledge of preparation of specimens and curating of bee collections.
Knowledge of mounting bee samples for morphometrics and barcoding.
Ability to write and follow SOPs.
Ability to operate or use small laboratory equipment (including optical microscopes, balances, incubator, hot air ovens and Vernier callipers).
Experience in performing general sample solutions preparation according to SOPs.
Ability to analyse and report results.
Computer literate.
Requirements / Qualifications
Diploma with at least 2 to 4 years of experience in applied biology.
Training in insect dissection.
Training in microscopy.
Training in beekeeping.
Other Desirable Attributes
No prior allergic reactions to bee venom.
Flexible and willing to work under pressure.
Ability to work and think independently.
Ability to take independent initiative in terms of day-to-day tasks.
Self-motivated and highly responsible.
Willing to learn new skills.
Ability to interact effectively with management and field staff in different African countries.
Ability to communicate effectively in English and to reason independently.
Well presented and able to articulate professionally and clearly within the international forum.
Willing to participate in other work assignments.
Reporting: This position reports to the Project Team Leader.The selected candidate should be available to start as soon as possible.
How to Apply
All applications must arrive via email on or before 7th April 2015.
Please quote the job reference number NRS/102/032015 on the email subject line.
Interested applicants should submit:
(a) a confidential cover letter,
(b) detailed CV with names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses, fax numbers), and
(c) a one-page write-up on how you consider yourself suitable for the job, to:technicalassistantconservation@icipe.org
A competitive compensation package will be offered to the right candidate.
Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer