25/04/2024
JOB VACANCIES AT THE CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (CARI)
The Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI), located in Suakoko, B**g County, is recruiting qualified Liberians for the following positions:
1. Director General (DG) (a five-year tenure position which may be renewed based on satisfactory performance on the job). The salary is attractive and offers fringe benefits, including accommodation and transportation on the CARI campus.
2. Deputy Director General for Research and Programs (DDGRP) (a five-year tenure position). Salary is attractive in addition to accommodation on the CARI campus.
1 (a). Qualification & Requirements for DIRECTOR GENERAL (DG)
• Must hold a Ph.D. in Agriculture or a closely related discipline from a recognized university with not less than ten years of distinction and experience in administration, management, and coordination in an agricultural organization.
• Should also have no less than five years of successful experience as Head of a Research Program Unit in an agricultural research institution or academic program in an agricultural college or university or coordinator of agricultural development project(s).
• Distinguished research contribution as evidenced by at least ten peer-reviewed scientific publications with at least five publications in the last five years.
• Proven ability to write research grant proposals to attract internal and external funding to support research activities.
• Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate research activities within a research institute, agricultural college, or university.
• Good knowledge of the agencies in the relevant Sectors and the ability to interact with top management in other institutions and agencies.
• Ability to translate policy decisions into action programs.
• Good interpersonal relations with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Must have served in research, academic or related reputable research institution at a Senior Research/ Management level.
• A proven track record in planning and managing human, financial, and physical resources.
Key Responsibilities of the Director General:
• Serves as the Head for the day-to-day administration of the operations of CARI, including the overall management and development of human resources to support sustainable agricultural research in Liberia.
• Updates and implements development objectives and strategies and works to improve processes and policies to achieve long-term organizational goals. Ensures an integrated and holistic approach and teamwork across levels, disciplines, gender, timeframes, and space, which is critical in increasing the agriculture sector's productivity, commercialization, and competitiveness.
• Ensures that impact, performance, and service orientation remain focused on integrated research for development by ensuring demand-driven research activities are undertaken or promoted.
• Ensures scientific excellence, creativity, and flexibility in the Agricultural Product Value Chain (APVC) approach to research and attracts investments necessary for rigorous and meaningful evidence-based scientific outcomes based on recommendations from stakeholders.
• Advocates to establish strong links and partnerships with national, regional, and international research institutions involved in science and technology.
• Ensures practical knowledge and information management in the generation, sharing, brokerage, and application of agricultural knowledge within and outside CARI.
• Respects staff and diverse clients with mutual respect for individuals and ensure equitable recognition of their contributions.
• Enhance public awareness of the importance of scientific research to agricultural and economic development and mobilize human, financial, and capital resources from the government, donors, the private sector, and within the institute for the benefit of CARI.
• Ensures transparency, accountability, and cost-effectiveness in managing CARI effectively and efficiently, utilizing all resources entrusted to the Institute.
• Establishes and manages effective partnerships/linkages with relevant institutions and agencies within and outside Liberia.
• Coordinates and prioritizes CARI’s research activities of CARI under the broad guidance of the Governing Board of Directors.
• Promotes the transfer of technology to industry/agricultural business and commercialization of research in general.
• Co-ordinates research funding initiatives and provides services and inputs to determine research priorities as well as formulate and implement Science and Technology Plans.
• Oversee the institute’s assets and infrastructure.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and agricultural and environmental laws.
• Formulate approaches and methods for monitoring and evaluating the performance and impact of the Institute’s research activities and technologies.
2 (a). Qualification & Requirements for Deputy Director General for Research and Programs (DDGRP).
• Must be a Ph.D. holder in agriculture or closely related disciplines from a recognized university.
• Not less than eight years of experience in agricultural research, including at least three years of successful experience as Head of a Research Program Unit in an agricultural research institution or academic programs in an agricultural college or university.
• Distinguished research contribution as evidenced by at least five peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Ability to write research grant proposals to attract internal and external funding to support research activities.
• Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate research activities within a research institute or an agricultural college or university.
• Good knowledge of agencies in the relevant sectors and the ability to interact with top management in other institutions and agencies.
• Ability to translate policy decisions into action programs.
• Good interpersonal relations.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the critical role of agricultural research in addressing the global development challenges of poverty, food and nutrition security, climate change, and environmental degradation.
Key Responsibilities for the Position of DDGRP
Under the supervision and consultation with the Director General of CARI:
• Play a key role in formulating agricultural research policies and programs in the context of national agricultural policies, poverty alleviation, food security, and improved livelihoods.
• Supervise and conduct broad-based research on food and cash crops, livestock, fisheries, land and water management, natural resource management, agro-forestry, socioeconomics studies, postharvest activities, biosafety, and climate change.
• Monitor and evaluate the adoption and impact of agricultural research on productivity.
• Maintain registers of research scientists, projects, and results and produce annual reports highlighting the management, scientific, training, and disseminate knowledge on improved technologies to stakeholders that strengthen local capacity.
• Set up a functional innovation platform(s) of diverse public and private stakeholders (farmers, social and academic actors, etc.) to foster interaction among the group for demand-driven research.
• Prepare and forward to the Government of Liberia, through the Director General and Governing Board of Directors of CARI, annual work plan and budget and annual performance of research activities at CARI.
• Represent the country in regional and international agricultural research forums.
• Ensure the management of national crop and livestock gene banks and quality assurance of technologies developed, adapted, multiplied, and disseminated through the uptake pathways.
• Work with the heads of the various research program units and scientists to develop a coordinated, comprehensive annual work plan and budget based on CARI's prioritized research activities.
• Enhance public awareness of the importance of scientific research to agricultural and economic development and mobilize human, financial, and capital resources from the government, donors, the private sector, and within the institute for the benefit of CARI.
• Transparency, accountability, and cost-effectiveness in managing CARI, effectively and efficiently utilizing all resources entrusted to the various research program units.
• Establish and manage effective partnerships/linkages with relevant institutions and agencies within and outside Liberia.
• Promote the transfer of technology to industry/agricultural business and commercialization of research in general.
Application MUST include:
❖ Application Letter
❖ Curriculum Vitae (CV)
❖ Names and Address of three (3) confidential referees
❖ Academic diplomas/certificates
❖ Vision Statement for the advertised position (maximum of 1,500 words)
Application should be emailed to [email protected] no later than Monday, May 5, 2024, at 16:00 GMT.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Qualified females are especially encouraged to apply.
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