Research Officer I at icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Overall Purpose of the Job

The candidate will be responsible for the recruitment and training of farmers to establish BSF farming enterprises on farmers’ fields and demonstration farms in strategic areas for the project “Scaling regenerative black soldier fly farming innovations with vegetable push-pull cropping systems for One Health in Rural Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.”

Specific Duties

•  Recruit and train extension agents, NGOs, and SMEs on mass production of black soldier fly for feed and fertilizer, using locally available organic wastes and suitable training methods such as farmer field days, schools, agricultural shows, and on-farm demonstrations.
•  Collaborate with existing BSF farming technical staff to train farmers on the linkages between BSF farming and vegetable-integrated push-pull, utilizing BSF-based feeds for poultry and fish production and BSF frass fertilizer to improve crop yields.
•  Establish and manage BSF training and demonstration facilities and conduct follow-up visits to provide technical backstopping to established BSF farming enterprises in Kenya.
•  Participate in the dissemination of the IKEA project findings in liaison with extension agents, Ministries of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries, NGOs and community-based organizations in the targeted counties/ project areas.
•  Participate in the collection of biophysical and socio-economic data as assigned by scientists.
•  Prepare monthly reports on BSF farming activities carried out directly and by farmer trainers, NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), and government collaborators in assigned locations.
•  Setting up BSF displays and explaining the benefits of BSF farming innovations to various stakeholders including farmers, donors, journalists, NGOs, and public and private sector players.
•  Any other responsibility assigned by the supervisors and senior project team.

Requirements/Qualifications

•  Degree in Agriculture, Entomology, Biotechnology, or Applied Biology.
•  Minimum of 1 year of field experience working with farmers, with strengths in BSF farming, and insect rearing.
•  Practical knowledge in conducting experiments, data collection, and report writing.
•  A valid driving license to ride a motorbike is essential.
•  Good working knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.
•  Good working knowledge of local languages spoken in Kenya (Swahili, Luo, Kisii, Luhya).
•  Computer literacy and basic data exploration and analytical skills.
•  High degree of organization, adaptability, and prioritization.
•  Good reporting and communication skills.

Other Desirable Attributes

•  Experience in community mobilization and social work will be an advantage.
•  Hands-on experience in working with community development activities in Kenya.
•  Ready to work for long hours, including weekends.
•  Make decisions for own job function and require approval from supervisor.
•  May assist in training other employees in their work.
•  Accountability for field imprest.
•  Assist students and scientists in establishing experiments, data collection, and entry.
•  Engagement with NARES, NGOs, farmers, private sector.

Reporting
This position reports to the Head of Insects for Food, Feed and Other Uses (INSEFF) Programme.