ATSAF - Job News 13-2008
May 30, 2008.
________________________________________________
1. AVRDC, Communications Expert in Tanzania
2. ETH Zürich, PhD candidate position
3. GTZ und Bioversity International, bezahltes Praktikum in Cali (Kolumbien)
4. IAMO, Wissenschaftliche/n Mitarbeiter/Mitarbeiterin
5. ICARDA, Range Ecology & Management Specialist
Arabian Peninsula Regional Program, Muscat, Oman
6. ESA, Post doctoral ecologist
7. ICGEB, Two Biosafety Fellowships
____________________________________________
1.
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTCommunications Expert (Tanzania)
AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center is a non-profit, autonomous international agricultural
research center with headquarters in Taiwan and regional offices around the globe. The
Center conducts research and development programs that contribute to alleviation of poverty
and malnutrition in the developing world. The Center is seeking an experienced
Communications Expert to support its pan-African program on Vegetable Breeding and Seed
Systems for Poverty Reduction in Africa.
Key Responsibilities
Under the Supervision of the Program Manager and in close collaboration with senior
research and support staff, the Communications Expert will develop and put into operation a
communications and reporting strategy, to ensure improved communication between the
liaison officer and program management, on one hand, and Regional Breeding Units and
spoke countries, on the other hand and, to ensure increased visibility within Africa and
beyond. Specific duties of the Communications Expert include:
1. Establish an effective communications system between the Liaison Officers and the
management at the Center´s Regional Center for Africa and between the National Breeding
Units and their partners in the spoke countries;
2. Assist in maintaining an effective reporting system at the management unit in
Tanzania and in the hub countries to ensure regular result-based reporting to headquarters,
the Board of Directors, the Program Advisory Committee and the Donor;
3. Contribute to the establishment, continuance, and upkeep of the program´s web
page; prepare articles and publishable materials to be uploaded on the web page;
4. Develop in close collaboration with Communications at headquarters and senior
scientists, scientific and popular publications covering issues pertaining to vegetable
breeding and seed systems in the continent;
5. Formulate, in collaboration with headquarters, an extension strategy for information
dissemination to the program´s stakeholders (Public Sector, private sector, Community
Based Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations);
6. Ensure regular updates from the library at headquarters on key literature for vBSS
scientists;
7. Contribute in the preparation of annual review, publications, fact sheets and other
documents based on the outcome from vBSS monitoring;
8. Organize workshops with the Liaison Officers to further disseminate progress reports
and lessons to a broader development practitioner community in the region;
9. Provide communication materials and equipment to ensure the smooth running of
the program´s workshops and training activities; and
10. Provide technical input on aspects of communication, awareness raising and
extension into the program´s workshops and training activities.
Qualifications and Experience
· Master´s degree in Communication, Journalism or Rural Extension with Agriculture
background
· At least 5 years experience in developing communications strategies for multi-
country programs in Sub Sahara Africa
· Excellent computer literacy, and good knowledge and experience in electronic/desk
top publishing
· Strong affiliation with the rural sector and with means of developing awareness
campaigns to effectively communicate with the rural sector
· Effective communication skills in spoken and written English, working knowledge of
French is an advantage
· Wide networking experience with advanced research organizations in and outside
Africa; public sector organizations and private sectors
· Ability to perform effectively and efficiently in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural
environment
Terms of Appointment: The incumbent will be based at the Center´s Regional Center for
Africa in Arusha, Tanzania. The initial appointment is for two years with possibility of re-
appointments. Salary and perquisites are commensurate with qualifications and experience,
and are comparable with regional agricultural research centers.
Application: Submit a letter of application, Curriculum Vitae, with names and contact
addresses (phone number and e-mail) of three referees. Send to: Ms. Lilia Tan Habacon,
HR Manager , AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center P.O. Box 42, Shanhua, Tainan 74199,
Taiwan; e-mail: lilia.tan-habacon@worldveg.org fax: +886-6-583-0009.
Review of Applications: The review of application will begin 30 August 2008 and continue
until the position is filled. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.
AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center is the principal international research center
dedicated to vegetable research and development. Our mission is to alleviate poverty and
malnutrition in the developing world through the increased production and consumption of
safe vegetables. For more information on AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, see
<http://www.avrdc.org>.
___________________________________________
2.
ETH Zürich, PhD candidate position
Advances in basic research often provide the principles for improving plant function and
performance. We recognize the importance of applying our biotechnology skills to provide
solutions in major staple crops. Cassava and rice, which together feed more than half of the
human population, are lacking both high protein content and minimal amount of high quality
protein.
Using transcriptomics and proteomics tools, the project aims at analyzing the dynamics of
protein accumulation in those two important staple crops and at identifying endogenous high
quality proteins. In parallel, expression of endogenous and heterologous high quality storage
proteins will be pursued in cassava in order to produce transgenic lines with enhanced
protein content. Further analysis of the transgenic lines will allow determining the best
strategy to develop improved staple crop lines for enhanced human diet.
We are seeking for a highly motivated PhD candidate to participate in the above-described
project. The PhD candidate will join an interdisciplinary team working on several aspects of
crop improvement (http://www.pb.ethz.ch/research/cassava).
Applicants should send a cover letter, a curriculum vitae and the names of two referees by
Email to Professor W. Gruissem, Plant Biotechnology Lab, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
Contact: wgruissem@ethz.ch Email subject : application root protein project
__________________________________________
3.
GTZ und Bioversity International bieten einem Studenten m/w der Agrar- und/oder
Rechtswissenschaften mit Schwerpunkt Lebensmittelrecht ein bezahltes Praktikum in Cali
(Kolumbien) an.
In Verbindung mit einer Masterarbeit oder Promotion an einer deutschen Universität soll das
Thema "Novel Foods" an der Schnittstelle von Biodiversität und Agrarhandel untersucht
werden. Die Novel Foods Verordnung der EU ist ein wichtiges nicht-tarifäres Hindernis für
den stark wachsenden Handel mit Biodiversitäts-Produkten. Sogenannte "exotische"
Produkte wie Stevia, Maca, Noni, Baobab etc., die seit Jahrzehnten in ihren Herkunftsländern
problemlos konsumiert werden, dürfen in der EU nur nach umfangreichen und teuren
Sicherheitsprüfungen zugelassen werden. Entwicklungsländer haben diese als
unverhältnismäßig empfundene Praxis wiederholt, auch in der WTO, kritisiert. Die EU hat
kürzlich einen Gesetzesvorschlag zur Novellierung der Verordnung vorgelegt. In
Zusammenarbeit mit Bioversity International sollen a) die vorgesehene Neufassung der
europäischen "Novel Food Verordnung" auf ihre Auswirkungen in Entwicklungsländern
untersucht und b) Strategien zum Umgang mit den neuen lebensmittelrechtlichen
Anforderungen erarbeitet werden.
Einsatzzeitraum: August bis Dezember 2008
Bewerbungen bis Ende Juni 2008
Einzelheiten unter
www.gtz.de/de/karriere/nachwuchsprogramme/23728.htm
__________________________________________
4.
Das Leibniz-Institut für Agrarentwicklung in Mittel- und Osteuropa (IAMO), Halle (Saale)
sucht zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt eine/n
Wissenschaftliche/n Mitarbeiter/Mitarbeiterin
für das Forschungsprojekt Agroholdings im Agrar- und Ernährungssektor in Russland:
Entstehungsgründe, Funktionsweise und Entwicklungsperspektiven (DFG HO 1302/6-1).
Wir erwarten:
· ausgewiesene Kenntnisse in der Mikrotheorie und der Institutionenökonomik,
· starkes Interesse an der Anwendung quantitativer Methoden,
· gute Russisch- und Englischkenntnisse,
· ein abgeschlossenes Hochschulstudium der Agrarwissenschaften mit dem
Schwerpunkt Agrarökonomie, der Wirtschaftswissenschaften oder der Wirtschafts-
geographie,
· selbstständiges Arbeiten, persönliches Engagement, Flexibilität und Teamfähigkeit.
Landeskenntnisse zu Russland oder sonstige Osteuropaerfahrungen sind wünschenswert.
Wir bieten:
· eine herausfordernde Tätigkeit in einem internationalen Umfeld
· die Möglichkeit zur Promotion und eine engagierte Betreuung
· die Teilnahme am Promotionskolleg Agrarökonomik
Das IAMO ist bestrebt, den Anteil von Frauen in Forschung und Lehre zu erhöhen und
fordert deshalb entsprechend qualifizierte Frauen nachdrücklich auf, sich zu bewerben.
Schwerbehinderte Bewerber/innen werden bei entsprechender Eignung vorrangig
berücksichtigt.
Der Vertrag ist zunächst befristet auf einen Zeitraum von drei Jahren. Die Bezahlung richtet
sich nach 0,5 TV-L E13 (Ost).
Die Bewerbungskosten können nicht erstattet werden. Weitere Informationen über unsere
Forschungsgebiete finden Sie auf www.iamo.de.
Bitte richten Sie Ihre aussagekräftige Bewerbung mit den üblichen Unterlagen bis zum 30.
Juni 2008 an:
Prof. Dr. Heinrich Hockmann (Tel.: 0345 2928 225)
Leibniz-Institut für Agrarentwicklung in Mittel- und Osteuropa (IAMO)
Theodor-Lieser-Str. 2, 06110 Halle (Saale)
oder per Email an:
hockmann(at)iamo.de, Betreff: Bewerbung
__________________________________________
5.
International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
Aleppo, Syria
Re-advertisement
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Range Ecology & Management Specialist
Arabian Peninsula Regional Program, Muscat, Oman
The Organization
ICARDA is a non-profit international agricultural research center in a worldwide consortium of
15 centers, supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR). The CGIAR is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). With a staff
of over 400 scientists and support personnel, representing more than 45 nationalities,
ICARDA addresses two key areas of agricultural research: germplasm improvement (cereals
and legumes) and natural resource management. The Center has a global mandate for
barley, lentil and faba bean improvement, and a regional mandate for the improvement of
wheat, chickpea and forage and pasture legumes. A major emphasis is placed on the
conservation and management of land and water, and improved productivity of small
ruminants in integrated farming systems in dry areas. The Center´s research and training
programs are implemented in partnership with national programs and, in most cases, with
other CGIAR centers as well as advanced research institutes in both developing and
industrialized countries.
The Position
ICARDA is seeking a Range Ecology and Management Specialist to work within ICARDA´s
Arabian Peninsula Regional Program (APRP) on Technology Transfer to Enhance Rural
Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management in the Arabian Peninsula. The project, co-
financed by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), the International
Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the OPEC Fund for International
Development, aims at developing more productive and sustainable rangeland and irrigated
production systems, including protected agriculture, through the more efficient use of the
natural resources of the Arabian Peninsula, and by strengthening cooperation among the
participating countries and with regional and international organization.
The appointee will be technically responsible to the Director, Diversification. & Sustainable
Intensification of Production System Program, and administratively responsible to ICARDA´s
Regional Coordinator for the Arabian Peninsula, who is responsible for coordinating all the
linkages between ICARDA and the National Agricultural Research Systems of the Arabian
Peninsula: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and
Yemen. The ICARDA Regional Office is located in Muscat, Oman.
Job Requirements
· Developing a research strategy for sustainable range management and irrigated
forages. The research will be conducted in close partnership with the National Agricultural
Research Systems (NARS) and with the active participation of rangeland users and other
stakeholders (extension services, policy makers, development institutions) in the Arabian
Peninsula, to meet the identified needs for sustainable production through efficient and
effective use of natural resources.
· Managing and implementing the activities of the AP project relating to rangeland and
irrigated forages.
· Promote the utilization of indigenous and exotic species including spineless cactus
for forage production and rangeland rehabilitation through personal research and support to
the national research activities.
· Conduct research at sites in the Arabian Peninsula, working primarily with national
scientists, and supported, where necessary, by other ICARDA scientists
· Day-to-day management of related research activities, liaising with national partners
in each of the seven Arabian Peninsula countries
· Assessing the status, constraints and potentials of the production base, considering
the interactions among vegetation, livestock, and crops, as well as the implications of
institutional, policy and property rights issues.
· Assessing the status, constraints and potentials of other goods and services
provided by rangelands (carbon sequestration, biodiversity, eco-tourism, etc).
· Keeping abreast with and use of advanced tools (e.g. GIS, modeling, expert
systems, decision support tools) for designing and conducting research projects addressing
the problems facing sustainable use of the rangelands in the Arabian Peninsula (climate
change, urbanization, population increase)
· Publishing research results in peer-reviewed journals, and preparing reports, training
materials, and other documents.
· Developing and contributing to the project activities in strengthening national
institutional and human resource capacity through training, regional networking,
workshops/conferences and information dissemination to end-users.
· Supervising, training, assisting and assessing, as appropriate, visiting scientists,
postdoctoral fellows, degree students, research assistants, and other technical support
staff.
· Assisting in the preparation of special project proposals for external funding.
Qualifications and Experience
· Earned PhD in range sciences, ecology or a related discipline, with a minimum of 5
years professional experience in dry areas rangeland rehabilitation and management
research. A record of post-doctoral research fellowship would be an asset
· Proven record of research excellence, scientific publication and project proposal
preparation
· Ability to work with pastoralists and farmers
· Strong quantitative/ qualitative analytical capacity
· Ability to work within a multidisciplinary and cross-cultural team.
· Fluency in English and Arabic.
· Competency in relevant computer applications
· Supervisory and management skills and experience.
Terms of Appointment
The appointment will be for an initial period of one year, renewable thereafter on an annual
basis. The salary is paid in US dollars. Benefits include housing allowance, paid home leave
travel, a pension scheme, life and health insurance package, vehicle for business and
personal use, and support for dependents´ education according to ICARDA Policy.
Application
Qualified applicants are invited to send:
1) Cover letter of interest (no more than 2 pages) highlighting the candidate´s
experience against the criteria listed under Qualifications and Competencies, including salary
expectations and noting where the candidate saw the advertisement.
2) Curriculum vitae, with a recent photo
3) Names, addresses, fax numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional referees
(they will not be contacted without the candidate´s permission),
to: Personnel Services
ICARDA, P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Telephone: (963-21) 2213477, 2225112, or 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105, or 5744622
E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG
Website: www.icarda.cgiar.org
(If sending by e-mail, please do not include graphics or other large file attachments.)
REFERENCE: quote INT-P/0748/08 on the application (or in the subject line if applying by e-
mail).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 15June 2008.
ICARDA is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from women.
26 May 2008
__________________________________________
6.
Post doctoral ecologist
General information
The "Groupe Ecole Supérieure d´Agriculture (ESA)" is recruiting a post doctoral ecologist to
join its « LEVA - Laboratoire d´écophysiologie végétale & agroécologie » research laboratory.
In collaboration with the Institut National d´Horticulture and its « Unité Propre Paysage », the
post-doc will participate in a research project entitled : « Biodiversity and its interactions with
viticulture in a wine-growing area in the west of France : case study of a local initiative in a
controlled origin appellation (AOC Saumur-Champigny) ». The French Ministry for the
Environment (MEDAD) is financing this project as part of a national programme, « DIVA 2 »,
on political action, agriculture and biodiversity.
The general objective is to study the contribution of viticulture to the maintenance of
biodiversity in the Saumur-Champigny wine-growing area and in particular to determine the
effects of farming practices and landscape management by viticulturists on vineyard
biodiversity.
A multi-scale approach is being used to collect data relating to:
- areas used for production or semi-natural areas managed by viticulturists
- the value of these areas for plants and birds
- the perception and management of these areas by viticulturists
- landscape structure and the evolution of land cover over time
- viticulture practices and general farm organisation
These observations will enable us to assess how viticulturists can contribute to maintaining
biodiversity in an area consisting of vineyards interspersed by crops, woodland and urban
outskirts and to identify strategies for biodiversity management at the wine appellation or
small regional scale.
Job description
Within this pluridisciplinary project, the post-doc will carry out ecological work (and in
particular ornithological fieldwork) in collaboration with the ecologist lecturer-researchers (an
ornithologist and a botanist). Following on from fieldwork carried out in spring/summer 2008
(bird transects, vegetation surveys), he/she will be responsible for designing future sampling
to study the relationships between farming practices, landscape structure and biodiversity at
a variety of spatial scales within the study area. Over two seasons (2009/2010) he/she will
carry out fieldwork (including bird territory maps) and will assist with supervising student
assistants involved in the ecological aspects of the project. The post-doc will take an active
part in the analysis, presentation and publication of the results.
Location
The job is based in Angers, in the Loire Valley, at the « Groupe Ecole Supérieure
d´Agriculture (ESA) » higher college of agriculture. Regular travel to and from the study area
near Saumur will be necessary.
The selected candidate will possess:
A doctorate in ecology;
Good ornithological knowledge and plant identification skills and a taste for fieldwork;
Some previous experience of landscape and community ecology;
A clean driver´s licence.
A training in the use of GIS tools (ESRI) would be appreciated.
For non-native speakers of French, a reasonable command of the French language is
required.
Terms of employment
The job is for a fixed period of two years (October 2008 - September 2010). The annual
gross salary is EUR 25000.
Applications
Applicants should send a CV (including a list of publications), an accompanying letter and the
names of two referees to Josephine Pithon (j.pithon@groupe-esa.com) before 15 June 2008.
Interviews will take place in June or early July 2008.
To find out more...
You can consult the Groupe ESA and INH websites (www.groupe-esa.com / www.inh.fr) or
the Saumur-Champigny producers´ site (section on "biodiversité") www.producteurs-de-
saumur-champigny.fr/
For more details please feel free to contact the scientific manager of the project Guillaume
Pain g.pain@groupe-esa.com, Joséphine Pithon (ornithologist) j.pithon@groupe-esa.com or
Hervé Daniel (botanist) herve.daniel@inh.fr
__________________________________________
7.
Two Biosafety Fellowships at the ICGEB
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is currently
offering two biosafety fellowships in the framework of a new capacity building initiative
focused on Subsaharan Africa. The ICGEB is an international, intergovernmental
organisation conceived as a centre of excellence for research and training in genetic
engineering and biotechnology with special regard to the needs of the developing world, and
has developed a comprehensive programme on biosafety centred on capacity building and
dissemination of scientific information.
The prime objective of this new initiative is to strengthen the ability of developing countries in
Subsaharan Africa to fully integrate into the worldwide effort to assure full and balanced
consideration of biosafety issues in pursuing the appropriate uses of modern biotechnology in
agriculture. This will be achieved, inter alia, by the establishment and staffing of satellite focal
points of biosafety expertise in Subsaharan Africa to support local and regional regulatory
systems overseeing the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The fellows will be trained, initially in ICGEB's Biosafety Unit, Trieste, Italy to become
"Biosafety Specialists" for the focal points envisaged in Southern Africa.
Once re-located to the ICGEB-Cape Town component, they will orchestrate the development
of the initiative from within the African region, responding to the identified needs of the
governments, local authorities and institutions involved. This will include, inter alia, carrying
out face-to-face interviews with key personnel in the region, as well as organising and
implementing regionally-based workshops, and accompanying delegations from Subsaharan
African countries to regional and international biosafety meetings.
The fellowships are for a period of 3 years with an annual remuneration of 24,000 Euro per
annum, and travel to and from the fellow's country of origin or South Africa (whichever is
most pertinent), as well as medical insurance for the duration of the fellowship, will be
provided.
General Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidates will:
be nationals from a Subsaharan African country (not necessarily currently based in Africa),
hold an advanced degree (preferably a Ph.D. in a biotechnology-related field) and/or have at
least two years of experience in the field of biosafety,
have an acute awareness of regional biosafety-related issues,
have experience in roles requiring consultative and analytical skills, for example, forming
partnerships with individuals and organisations to enhance project goals,
have exceptional written and oral communication skills, in positions requiring culturally
sensitive communication with a broad and diverse audience; have demonstrated ability to
work with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a team effort,
possess highest integrity,
be able to travel as needs dictate,
preferably be below the age of 40.
An application consisting of a statement of interest (1-2 pages), a complete curriculum vitae,
a list of publications, an English Language Proficiency Certificate (such as TOEFL,
Cambridge Certificate or equivalent [non applicable when scholastic education has been
conducted in English]), along with 3 letters of recommendation must be submitted, quoting
the reference BMG/08/010 and where the announcement was first seen, to the address
below on or before 15 August 2008.
Applications from women are particularly encouraged.
For further information contact:
Dr. Wendy Craig, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB),
Padriciano 99, 34012 Trieste, Italy. Tel.: +39-040-3757383, Fax: +39-040-226555,
Email: craig@icgeb.org
Send applications (preferably by Email) to:
ICGEB Biosafety Unit
Padriciano, 99
34012 Trieste
Tel. +39-040-3757320; Fax: +39-040-226555; Email: biosafe@icgeb.org
__________________________________________
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