Career Opportunities at icipe – African Insect Science for Food and Health

Overall purpose of the job

The Manager, People and Organisation Development (MPOD) reports to the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA). The MPOD leads in the provision of HR services and other applicable services to all the Centre’s staff, applicable hosted staff, visiting scientists, students and consultants. The MPOD implements employee attraction, retention, development and performance management policies and processes. S/he develops and implements programmes and supporting systems for employee relations, staff wellbeing, workforce planning and workload management and ensures equity and diversity. S/he should be an excellent leader, people person, strategic communicator, and relationship builder.

Specific Duties:

•  Supervise leadership of the teams providing HR services.
•  Foster Business Partnerships with functions directly engaged in research for development and those in support thereof.
•  Recruiting international and national staff with the capabilities and competences required for the present and future. Work with research leaders to anticipate future needs and lead the talent pooling, attraction, and selection of staff in research roles, and ensure alignment and improvement of attraction and selection processes.
•  Implement organisation design plans, including preparation and review of job classifications, job descriptions and associated systems. Implement talent management and succession planning initiatives.
•  Lead the learning and development programmes, developing the capabilities and competences of research leaders, as well as research and research support staff, encompassing amongst others, management/supervisory skills and soft skills. Implement skills capacity development programmes, aligned with the Centre’s plans and strategic goals.
•  Develop and implement performance management policies, systems, and tools. Implement recognition and rewards policies.
•  Administer and undertake reviews of salaries, and staff related insurances and other staff benefits, in accordance with policies and guidelines and to ensure equity and value for money.
•  Contribute to the development of policies and guidelines and provide advice on their impact on the Centre. Ensure equitable and consistent interpretation and implementation of staff policies and ensure compliance with relevant requirements while being alive to precedents and approval exceptions.
•  Develop and implement HR information systems to support service delivery and decision making, specifically HR within ERP, staff attraction, staff recruitment, learning & development systems, staff performance management system, and management of consultants’ contracts and other supporting systems.
•  Be the Head of Safeguarding (HoS) and be responsible for overall management of compliance, reporting and training of Safeguarding Focal Persons (SFP) deployed on needs basis at regional offices and/or programmes.
•  Act as a link and offer communication and coordination that facilitates a close working relationship between the Centre and its hosted organizations. Handle various matters of the Centre, by participating in joint arrangements with hosted organizations.

Additional responsibilities

•  Be an authorised signatory of the Centre, and in this regard, authorise transactions as per delegated authority and the sourcing and evaluation of appropriate providers (e.g. for medical & life insurances and training consultants).
•  Expand, develop, and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and represent the Centre at various meetings. Attend joint meetings of collaborating institutions and participate in HR related joint processes.
•  Chair the Occupational, Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) and Training Committee (TC) of the Centre and oversee implementation of necessary procedures arising from the two committees. Membership to various Centre committees as designated from time to time.
•  Undertake additional duties requested by supervisor for areas that require her/his support within the Centre’s overall business.

Requirements/Qualifications

•  Advanced University degree (Masters) in relevant field.
•  At least 10 years of experience in the areas of general management, including human resources at international and multicultural setups.
•  Comprehensive knowledge of organizational policies and practices in research organizations is highly desirable.
•  Tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with sensitive issues.
•  Capacity to manage, supervise and evaluate the performance of staff.

Other desirable attributes

•  Result-oriented, with ability to work under pressure and independently to meet set goals.
•  Good team worker: Ability to relate with others in mutual support and respect towards common goals and shared vision.
•  Innovation and creativity: Ability to generate new ideas and ways of working to continuously improve existing work processes, practices, and concepts.
•  Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders from multiple disciplines and backgrounds.

Reporting

• This position reports to the Director of Finance and Administration (DFA)

Applications willbe accepted upto 6th FEB 2024.

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Overall purpose of the job

•  To provide research and programmatic leadership to the Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Unit.
•  Coordinate and promote the broad field of chemical ecology through an interdisciplinary research approach across icipe’s 4-H Themes and within the framework of One Health.
•  To maintain a portfolio of research that is aligned with icipe’s strategic goals.
•  To undertake research of the highest quality through partnerships, within, nationally, regionally and internationally.
•  To facilitate new initiatives and opportunities in chemical ecology through resource mobilisation.
•  To build capacity through the training of the next generation of globally competitive scientists.
•  To disseminate research findings through high level publications and presentations at scientific/technical meetings.

Specific Duties:

•  Contributes to Centre’s efforts to engage with global stakeholders in research and capacity building.
•  Manages human, fiscal and physical resources of the Unit.
•  Conducts research to develop semiochemical-based management tools for improved food production, animal and human health.
•  Conducts research to promote use of beneficial organisms that conserve biodiversity.
•  Actively seek and secure external support for the activities of the Unit, including resources to develop and grow a personal research portfolio.
•  Enhance scientific productivity of the Unit through mentoring and supervising scientists, postgraduate students, and high-quality publications.
•  Initiate periodic reviews of the performance of the Unit to ensure relevance and quality.
•  Act as a spokesperson and representative of the Unit.
•  Ensure the Unit meets its legal and reporting responsibilities to all stakeholders including national licensing authorities and donors.

Requirements/Qualifications

•  PhD in Chemistry from a reputable university, with a strong background in organic chemistry or related sciences but preferably with expertise in Chemical Ecology plus appropriate or additional education in organic spectroscopy.
•  Ten (10) years’ experience gained at a senior level in either a research organization or university.
•  Track-record in chemical ecology and interdisciplinary research in tropical insect science.

Other desirable attributes

•  Excellent publication track record.
•  Track record of writing successful proposals for large grants.
•  Proven record of managing large resources (both financial and human) in a research environment.
•  Experience in capacity building through supervision and mentorship of MSc and PhD students.
•  Excellent communication skills are mandatory.
•  Track record of exemplary leadership qualities are essential.
•  High degree of organisation, adaptability and prioritisation.

Reporting

• This position reports to the Head of Capacity Building and Integrated Sciences.

Applications willbe accepted upto 15th FEB 2024.

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Overall Purpose of the Job

To provide administrative support to the DMMG Unit and to facilitate the daily unit activities like meetings, workshops, training, visitors, requisitions, etc.

Specific Duties

•  Handles maintenance of office assets and keeps an inventory of equipment, vehicles and procured supplies.
•  Prepares and maintains lists of staff, visiting scientists, consultants, students, and interns in the Theme/Programme.
•  Share upcoming department events with the communication unit.
•  Creates and manages electronic and manual filing systems, maintains and updates files and records, archiving and storage.
•  Responds to routine correspondence, and handles e-mail, telephone communication, requests, inquiries, and other communication systems and processes to appropriate parties.
•  Performs all administrative tasks like travel arrangements, requisitions, etc. for all DMMG unit projects.
•  Support in the planning and organizing of all internal and external DMMG unit meetings, trainings, workshops, and seminars.
•  Participates in meetings when needed and assists in the preparation of minutes.

Requirements/Qualifications

•  Diploma in a relevant field.
•  At least 1 year of work experience in an administrative role.
•  Background in finance, procurement or communication is an added advantage.
•  Excellent computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office.

Other Desirable Attributes

•  Ability to act independently with minimal supervision.
•  Highly organized and able to multitask.
•  Effective time management and scheduling skills.
•  A basic level of judgment and problem-solving skills are required to assist the DMMG unit team in planning and arranging for internal and external meetings, and handling their travel needs, requisitions, and other travel documents.
•  Efficiency in responding to the DMMG unit's administrative needs and asset management.
•  Handling travel requests and travel expense reports, accommodation, and travel advances.

Reporting

• This position reports to the Senior Business Support Officer I (Project Support Officer)

Applications willbe accepted upto 23 rd January 2024.