icipe Technical Assistant (Pollination Ecology)

icipe Technical Assistant (Pollination Ecology)
March 24, 2015 Job Description
Technical Assistant (Pollination Ecology)
Ref No. NRS/101/032015
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 (Pollination Ecology) 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 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:
Setting up and maintaining honeybee, stingless bee and carpenter bee colonies for use as pollinators in greenhouses.
Assisting in setting up bee pollination experiments in the open field and greenhouses.
Participating in the collection and management of bee samples from visited crops in the open field in different agroecological zones.
Assisting in data collection of pollination efficiency of bees in greenhouses and open fields.
Performing lab analysis of collected samples from different bee visitations on pollinated crops.
Generating laboratory data and maintaining a database of all the laboratory results.
Performing regular instrument maintenance.
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 of planting experimental plots.
Knowledge of horticulture.
Knowledge of crop protection and treatment against diseases and pests.
Knowledge of management of bee colonies set up in experimental open field and greenhouse plots.
Ability to write and follow SOPs.
Ability to operate or use small laboratory instruments (including optical microscopes, balances, refractometers and Vernier callipers).
Experience in performing general sample solutions preparation according to SOPs.
Ability to analyse and report results.
Computer literate.
Good field sampling and data collection skills.
Knowledge in laboratory management.
Requirements / Qualifications
Diploma with at least 2 to 4 years of experience in horticulture or organic agriculture.
Training in greenhouse maintenance.
Training in management of crop diseases and pests.
Training in beekeeping.
Other Desirable Attributes
No prior allergic reactions to bee venom.
Must be highly organised, detail oriented and possess good time management skills.
Willing to participate in basic horticulture work.
Flexible and willing to work under pressure.
Ability to take independent initiative in terms of day-to-day tasks.
Ability to work and think independently.
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.
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/101/032015 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:technicalassistantpollination@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