Head, Technology Transfer Unit at icipe - African Insect Science for Food and Health

Overall purpose of the job

The Head, TTU will establish public-private partnerships and other networks to foster technology adoption and will support testing and improving insect science-based technologies in Africa. The candidate will develop and manage projects and communicate research evidence to stakeholders through various communication platforms. The incumbent will establish frameworks and strategies for dissemination pathways and scaling readiness of selected icipe innovations.

Specific duties:

•  Update the Centre-wide scaling strategy, and document and support the development of project/programme-specific scaling strategies.
•  Assess the relevance of different pathways and mechanisms of scaling to maximise adoption of different evidence-based technologies and knowledge products.
•  Increase the access and promotion of technologies to farmers through last-mile providers and other scaling strategies.
•  Facilitate and support demonstrations and scaling of technologies.
•  Work with key stakeholders in Africa to identify, evaluate and implement optimised technology adoption pathways.
•  Develop, foster and maintain strong collaborative networks of partners, including government agencies, national agricultural research and extension systems (NARES), non-governmental organisations, regional and international agricultural research organisations, and the private sector, committed to scaling out technologies.
•  Establish entry points for strategic engagement in new countries and with new partners for introduction of icipe technologies.
•  Publish high-quality scaling-related reports and peer-reviewed papers.
•  Share technology scaling lessons with a broad spectrum of audiences using various communication platforms.
•  Support the creation of an enabling environment for farmers to access inputs, financial services and markets to accelerate the adoption of technologies in the region.
•  Provide evidence to implementing partners on the performance of technologies.
•  Contribute significantly to resource mobilisation efforts and manage ongoing TTU-related projects.
•  Work with icipe’s 4-H (plant, animal, human and environmental health) Themes and Support Units to foster a one health approach.

Requirements/Qualifications

•  PhD degree, preferably in Entomology, Extension or related fields.
•  Minimum of six (6) years of relevant postdoctoral experience with at least three (3) years at a senior level in a multidisciplinary research environment.
•  Proven experience in innovative scaling of arthropod integrated pest management, and/or management of vectors of animal and human diseases.
•  Proven experience in successful management of large donor-funded projects.
•  Demonstrated technical competence in one or more of the following areas: agricultural and public health, knowledge diffusion, communication, marketing, and business development.
•  Good publication record (at least 15 peer-reviewed publications).
•  Knowledge of digital tools for scaling agricultural innovations is considered an advantage.
•  Extensive network relating to technology adoption in Africa is considered an advantage.
•  Excellent oral and written English language skills. Ability to speak French is considered an advantage.

Reporting
This position reports to the Head, Plant Health Theme (first line); Head, Animal and Human Health Theme (second line).