Job Opportunities at Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)

• The Research Station Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing various aspects of the crop research operations at Kiboko, including planning, organizing, and executing together with CIMMYT scientists and technicians an array of research activities, ensuring the highest compliance with safety, regulatory, and ethics standards, and innovating on the overall efficiency of station operations.

Duties and responsibilities
Farm operations management: 

• Overall site management, including allocation of land/greenhouse and other resources in consultation with internal stakeholders.
• Develop and implement plans and protocols for effectively managing breeding nurseries, including planting, fertilization, pest control, irrigation, harvesting, and storage.
• Supervise and participate in day-to-day site operations, including land preparation, planting, data collection, and maintenance of research plots.
• Advance planning and forecasting for resource use and requisitions of farm inputs, supplies, and other consumables in a timely manner, in consultation with internal stakeholders.
• Responsible for optimal use of inputs (labour, fertilizers, agrochemicals, pollination supplies, fuel, etc.)
• Ensures maintenance of soil fertility at the research station by following suitable agronomic practices, including soil testing, crop rotation, and green manuring.
• Develop standardized data collection procedures in coordination with CIMMYT scientists and ensure accurate and reliable data acquisition. 
• Promote the use of digital tools, such as mobile data collection devices, bar codes and readers, and data recording in internal databases.
• Define and measure operational metrics and key performance indicators for each activity.
• Implement a robust quality management system to meet customer needs in an efficient and timely manner. Keep abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in crop research, and incorporate them into farm operations, as appropriate.

Team management:

• Lead, train and supervise a team of research technicians and farm staff, providing guidance and support to ensure efficient operations.
• Responsible for recruiting casual labor on a daily basis, maintaining, validating, and sharing the labor records on a regular basis with the concerned.
• Planning and coordinating training activities, including occupational health and safety, to improve the skills and knowledge of the staff.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, encouraging teamwork, professional development, and knowledge sharing among team members. 

Compliance and Safety: 

• Ensure all operations are in compliance with the relevant regulations, permits, and certifications (local government, environmental, etc.)  as well as CIMMYT’s policies and procedures.
• Develop, implement, and enforce occupational health and safety (OH&S) protocols to minimize risks to personnel, equipment, and the environment.

Budgeting and Resource Management:

• Design and implement proper costing of research operations, such as cost per row, cost per plot, etc.
• Develop and manage research farm budget, monitor expenditures, and ensure cost-effective and judicious utilization of resources.
• Ensure judicious use of petty cash and cash advances as per established finance policies and agreed-upon budgets, and reporting these expenses in a timely manner.
• Effectively maintain asset registry, and proactively maintain the assets in a timely manner, and attend to repairs, as and when needed.
• Develop long-term facility improvement plans, including identification of capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments.
• Ensure proper maintenance of warehouse, with dynamic monitoring of the assets.
• Ensure proper maintenance and disposal of farm produce, adhering to the institutional policies and procedures.
• Ensures proper protection of the facility assets together with the security staff, and promptly reports on any incidents to the supervisor/s.
• Requirements Master’s degree in Agriculture or Agronomy or Plant breeding or a related field.
• At least 10 years of work experience in farm management, with demonstrated ability to manage large-scale field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities.
• Strong knowledge of agronomy, crop physiology, and plant health management.
• Good knowledge of farm machinery, irrigation systems, electrical installations, etc. is highly desirable.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Master’s degree in Agriculture or Agronomy or Plant breeding or a related field.
• At least 10 years of work experience in farm management, with demonstrated ability to manage large-scale field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities.
• Strong knowledge of agronomy, crop physiology, and plant health management.
• Good knowledge of farm machinery, irrigation systems, electrical installations, etc. is highly desirable.

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Overview

• The purpose of this position is to ensure effective maintenance and upkeep of the farm equipment and installations at CIMMYT’s principal maize research station for eastern Africa, located at Kiboko in Makueni County.

Duties and responsibilities

• Regular and proactive maintenance of farm equipment, including tractors and various farm implements.
• Regular and proactive maintenance of irrigation systems, including pumps reservoirs, and drip/sprinkler irrigation systems.
• Regular and proactive maintenance of cold rooms and seed dryer systems.
• Regular and proactive maintenance of various electrical installations and related equipment in the CIMMYT-managed facilities at the Kiboko research station.
• Conduct regular inspections of the farm equipment, machinery, and electrical components in the CIMMYT-managed research facilities at the station, identify any potential problems, and promptly report to the Research Station Manager for timely actions.
• Troubleshooting mechanical/electrical malfunctions and breakdowns, as well as performing repairs, as and when needed.
• Develop and document mechanical/electrical maintenance protocols and plans to prevent costly equipment breakdowns.
• Monitor the availability of frequently replaced parts and replenishing supplies, if needed. 
• Optimizing mechanical efficiency by adjusting machinery and equipment settings. 
• Training co-workers on the safe and efficient use of farm machinery and equipment. 
• Maintaining a tidy work environment and adhering to industry regulations. 
• Record keeping i.e., preventative maintenance records, job cards, audit checklists, etc. 
• Requirements Degree/Diploma in mechanical/electrical engineering from a recognized institution.
• Good understanding of mechanical and electrical principles for maintenance of farm equipment.
• At least 5 years of experience in the Agriculture/Floriculture/Horticulture industry.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Degree/Diploma in mechanical/electrical engineering from a recognized institution. 
• Good understanding of mechanical and electrical principles for maintenance of farm equipment. 
• At least 5 years of experience in the Agriculture/Floriculture/Horticulture industry.

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Overview

• Serving as the principal liaison between the Kiboko Research Station team and CIMMYT-Kenya administrative team in Nairobi, the Administrative Assistant will work closely with the Research Station Manager, CIMMYT scientists and research assistants to effectively implement administrative aspects of research station operations to facilitate smooth execution of CIMMT’s activities at the Kiboko Research Station.

Duties and responsibilities

• Human resources administration. 
• Maintain systematic filing system for personnel and HR records of casual workers engaged at the Kiboko Research Station. Coordinate engagement of casual workers as per the needs of scientists and technicians operating at Kiboko Research Station. 
• Ensure compliance with relevant HR policies and procedures, including occupational health and safety guidelines. Maintain daily registers of casual workers and support the payroll process for casual workers.
• Procurement and warehouse management.
• Coordinate timely procurement of goods and services as required for smooth operation of the research station, and in strict compliance with CIMMYT policies and procedures.
• Diligently manage warehouse inventory in full compliance with established procedures and best practices.
• Ensure proper recordkeeping of all inventory deposits, withdrawals, and disposals.
• Finance and accounting. Manage and account for use of petty cash fund.
• Coordinate with Finance Manager – Kenya and respective scientists / budget-holders to ensure proper accounting for usage of warehoused inventory and fuel supply. 
• Support administration of all assets located at the Kiboko Research Station. 
• Support the Research Station Manager to identify, prioritize, and implement ideas to improve operational efficiency and cost reduction.
• Facilitate timely processing of utility bills. 

Event management. 

• Assist in organizing meetings and training events at the Kiboko Research Station, and record the minutes of the meetings, as appropriate. 
• Requirements Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field. 
• At least 3 years’ experience in a demanding office setup. 
• Experience in farm operations highly desirable.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field. 
• At least 3 years’ experience in a demanding office setup. 
• Experience in farm operations highly desirable.