Company Profile

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Please visit www.iita.org for more information on IITA.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Ghana, seeks a suitably qualified Ghanaian National to fill the position of an Administrative and Accounts Assistant in its Accra Liaison Office

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Develop seed production scheme together with the scientist responsible for pre-basic seed yam production.
• Facilitate the transfer of quality seed yam stocks from IITA to the research institutes for appropriate maintenance and production of pre-basic seed.
• Facilitate the transfer of quality pre-basic certified seed yam from research institutes to the basic seed producers.
• Record and compile the seed yam pre-basic and basic production statistics and traceability data for a formal seed system.
• Assist in recording the performance of new yam varieties near release at local, regional and national level and facilitate information exchange on variety performance and market for all actors in the seed yam industry including yam breeders, basic seed yam distributors and farmers.
• Provide technical assistance in the private seed production and marketing of high quality seed of improved varieties.
• Assist the seed system specialist to organise and conduct seed production related training courses and workshops at local, regional and national level..
• Establish and maintain close communication with scientists involved in YIIFSWA to facilitate exchange both information and materials..
• Report on achievement and progress every month to the seed yam specialist. Develop a pre-basic and basic seed production monitoring and evaluation system in collaboration with the seed system and the M & E Specialists to track seed production activities.
• Perform any other official duties as may be assigned.

Required Skills or Experience

• MSc in plant breeding, agronomy, seed technology or related field.
• At least 3 years' experience in seed production for formal seed system.
• Individual with knowledge in pre-basic and basic seed yam production.
• Ability to manage and satisfy multiple and sometimes conflicting organisational, partners and other stakeholder demands.
• Good writing and verbal communication skills in English and other local languages in northern Ghana.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of statistical packages.
• Good  team  player with   readiness  to  participate  in   the accomplishment of duties.
• Ability to travel frequently across the communities within the country.

Duty Station: Tamale with field work travels to project sites in Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions.