Status: Full time, Project Based (18 months)
Location: Kampala, Uganda
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.
Background: The CKW project has steadily grown with over 1200 community knowledge workers based in 20 districts across Uganda. Under its initial strategy, the programme focused on developing actionable content that was disseminated to the farmers through the community knowledge workers and a farmer helpline. As the project matures GF realizes the need to create impact by restructuring its agriculture knowledge base making it more actionable, adding decision making tools and above all getting closer to the farmer to ensure that the knowledge created is also adopted through unique extension methods and support. This phase will focus on practical extension and hence the role.
Reporting and Relationships: The position will report directly to the Manager, Content and Services.
Availability: The Researcher, Early warning systems will be expected to work a typical work week of 40 hours plus additional hours to get the job done. The position will be based in Kampala, Uganda. This position will need to be flexible to work in local conditions, and be available to work across different time zones. This position will require travel (20%-40%) within Uganda, and periodic travel to other countries as needed.
Essential Functions:
• 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;
Education and Experience
• A bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and a post graduate in extension services/ agribusiness or related field, 2 or more years’ experience of practical research,
• Experience in development economics research would be a valuable assets; experience in the application of good agricultural Practices; prior experience with taking initiative and working without constant supervision, prior related experience in the field of agricultural extension, farm advisory work and/or small farmer training and development.
Physical and Environmental Conditions: This position does not require unusual demands for physical effort. This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds. Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.
Additional Comment
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
Interested candidates should send a resume with a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested and what you will bring to the position. Resumes will be accepted through January 31, 2013 and should be sent via email to jobs@applab.org [1] Please put ESS – CKW” in the subject line. No Calls Please.
Links:
[1] mailto:jobs@applab.org