Application Deadline: 15 January 2018.at 17 :00 GMT.
The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) is composed of the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) of 23 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tomé et Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
The Vision of CORAF/WECARD is “a sustainable reduction in poverty and food insecurity in WCA through an increase in agricultural-led economic growth and sustainable improvement of key aspects of the agricultural research system”.
The mission is to ensure “a sustainable improvement of the competitiveness, productivity and markets of the agricultural system of West and Central Africa by meeting the major demands of target groups of the sub-regional research system”
CORAF/WECARD Executive Secretariat (ES) launched in 2013 the Initiative for Capacity Strengthening of Scientists from National Agricultural Research Systems (IRECCS).
Within the framework of the implementation of the Programme, six (6) junior scientists/specialists from NARS were selected in 2013 and 2014. They joined CORAF/WECARD through a support scheme provided to NARS in project management, monitoring and data collection, organization of regional meetings, etc. In return, CORAF/WECARD Executive Secretariat benefited from the expertise of talented young professionals with modern skills and who had an entrepreneurship and innovative spirit.
Objective of the 2018 Programme
Like previous years, the 2018 Programme aims at recruiting three (3) young professionals froms NARS, working in research and agricultural developments. They will support CORAF/WECARD Executive Secretariat in its mission of coordination, facilitation of regional research and management of knowledge flowing from agricultural research.
Benefits:
- Selected candidates will be given a round trip ticket from and back to their country, a health insurance subscribed for the duration of the stay and a monthly allowance of 900,000 FCFA (Nine hundred thousand CFA) to cover accommodation, food, transport and various local expenses.
Expected outputs
• The process for developing Strategic and Operational Plans is facilitated with substantial support;
• Keys research areas covered by CORAF/WECARD priority programmes are adequately controlled;
• Procedures for developing and managing regional projects are adequately controlled;
• Administrative and financial operations of CORAF/WECARD and management of relationships with CORAF/WECARD partners are facilitated;
• Operating mode, results and lessons learnt from management of regional projects coordinated by CORAF/WECARD are capitalized;
• A model for capacity strengthening of NARS stakeholders within a sub-regional organization is developed;
• A distance learning model focused on capacity strengthening of NARS stakeholders in management of regional research is developed.
Successful candidates will stay one whole year (12 months) at CORAF/WECARD Headquarters in Dakar, Senegal and may travel within West and Central Africa sub-region depending on needs.
Requirements:
- Applicants should be scientists, lecturer-scientists or specialists in the development and management of research and development projects, be at most 40 years old with some potential to benefit from capacity strengthening in agricultural research and development.
- They should also hold a Master or Doctorate (PhD) in Agronomy, Veterinary Science, Zootechnics, Sociology, Rural Geography, Agroeconomy, Biotechnology, Natural Resources, Statistics, Biometrics or any other field in relation with agricultural research and development.
- Candidates should also have strong ability in analysis and study of reports, results, data and information from various sources and summarize them in a well-structured manner.
- They should have excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French.
- Applications from women are strongly encouraged.
How to apply
Applications should include :
(i) Curriculum vitae with certified copy of degrees ;
(ii) a written authorization from the Director General of the Institution to which the candidate is affiliated, specifying that salary and other advantages of the candidate will be maintained during the stay at CORAF/WECARD;
(iii) an expression of interest (maximum two pages) specifying the usefulness of the training to their Institution and;
(iv) indicate their availability to assume duty one month after their notification by CORAF/WECARD in case they are selected.
Applications should be sent by e-mail at rh@coraf.org and addressed to CORAF/WECARD Executive Director, 7, Avenue Bourguiba, Dakar, Senegal latest by 15 January 2018.at 17 :00 GMT.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the CORAF/WECARD Associate Scientists Program 2018