Career Opportunities at icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Overall Purpose of the Job

To assist in field samples collection for entomopathogens and endophytes isolation & characterization under AfroGrow project, as well as mass rearing of amaranth lepidopteran defoliators insect species and their associated parasitoids, plant production, training of stakeholders, field efficacy trials and assist students under the AGROVEG Phase II project.

Specific duties

• Participate in the AfroGrow living lab fields assessment for microbial diversity.
• Conduct field samples collection (infected and mycosed insects & soil samples) for entomopathogens and endophytes isolation & characterization under the AfroGrow project.
• Assist in AGROVEG technical project report
• Participate in the development of scientific manuscripts for publication based on the data obtained from the project.
• Assist in mass rearing of lepidopteran moths and their associated parasitoids.
• Assist in plants production for insect rearing and supply them for mass rearing and bioassay purposes. 
• Participate in and support laboratory activities and assist students in their projects to conduct bioassays.
• Conduct some key bioassays related to some objectives of the project.
• Assist in organizing and undertaking experiments/bioassays.
• Participate in field releases of the mass-reared natural enemies.
• Culture, sub-culture, and mass produce some entomopathogenic fungi and endophytes for experimental purposes.
• Participate in the training of farmers and other stakeholders in the AGROVEG Phase II project.
• Carry out other daily duties and any other activity assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements/ qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Entomology and/or Microbiology.
• At least 2 years of work experience in a relevant practice.
• Prior/good experience required in insect rearing, crop production, pathology, microbiology,
• field and laboratory assays with insects, EPF, endophytes, and crops. 

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Overall Purpose of the Job
The Software and Cloud Solutions Architect will develop scalable and cost-effective architectural
solutions for cloud-managed services to Digital Earth Africa Program. The Software and Cloud
Solutions Architect will also be responsible for engineering efficient software and building elastic and
interoperable solutions.
Specific duties
Design, build, test, and maintain database systems and applications, ensuring efficient,
secure, consistent, and accurate data.
Re-engineer deployed systems and those under implementation.
Develop web applications preferably in JavaScript (Node/React/Terria) and Python or any
other relevant programming languages.
Automate CI/CD pipelines (preferably on Amazon Web Services: AWS) to deploy scalable,
cost-effective, secure, interoperable, and robust cloud solutions.
Implementing and managing cloud infrastructure (IaC, IaaS) to ensure high performance,
security, and scalability, preferably on AWS.
Design, deploy, manage, and maintain production-grade Kubernetes clusters.
Requirements/ qualifications
BSc/BA in Computer Science, Information Technology, or any other related field from a
recognized University.
At least 2 years of work experience in a relevant practice.
Previous experience at an international/ regional research organization is an added
advantage.
Good understanding of web programming using JavaScript (Node/React/Terria) and Python
or other programming languages.
Sound knowledge of various operating systems (Linux, Solaris, Windows) and database
management systems (Oracle, Ms. SQL, MySQL, Postgres, and NoSQL DBs).
Good understanding of Agile and Scrum.
Good understanding of cloud-managed services (preferably in AWS), IT security, data
infrastructure, governance, and user-centred design practices.
Self-motivated and strong organizational and interpersonal skills and leadership skills.

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Overall Purpose of the Job

The Geospatial Data Officer will lead and coordinate data abstraction, cleaning, and integration processes to support high-quality data management across research projects within icipe’s 4-H paradigm (Environmental, Plant, Human, and Animal Health Themes). The Geospatial Data Officer will also contribute to the development and optimization of data infrastructure, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery of datasets, while supporting capacity building and scientific outputs through training, documentation, and collaboration on research proposals and publications.

Specific duties

• Maintain and optimize data pipelines to support continuous updates and integration of spatial,
• epidemiological, and entomological data across multiple vector-borne disease (VBD) projects.
• Supervise and mentor junior staff and interns through structured onboarding, weekly checkins, and skill-building sessions
• Engage with external partners, data custodians, and researchers to acquire, harmonize, and curate relevant datasets, including unpublished or restricted-access data, for expanded project use.
• Design and deliver training workshops, webinars, and technical guidance to strengthen staff and partner capacity in geospatial data management, analysis, visualization, and application for research and decision-making.
• Collaborate with developers and GIS experts to co-develop automated data abstraction platforms that enhance the user interface and functionality of VBD platforms in icipe.

Requirements/ qualifications

• Bachelor’s in computer science, Bioinformatics, Population Biology, or related field, or any other related field from a recognized University.
• At least 4 years of work experience in a relevant area.
• Knowledge and skills in big data analytics.
• Good understanding of data security, data infrastructure, and governance.
• Knowledge of programming languages (e.g., R, C++, Python, and PERL).
• Experience in genomics, population genetics, data manipulation, and computational biology.
• Knowledge of commonly used tools for variant detection (samtools, bowtie2, BWA, IGV,
• ANNOVAR, and GATK) and file formats (BED, VCF, FASTQ, BAM, and FASTA).
• Knowledge of commonly used and publicly available bioinformatics databases (e.g. GenBank, Uniprot, DDBJ, Ensemble, GEO, SRA, ExAC, ESP,ClinVar, VectorBase, KEGG, HGMD,
• OMIM, PubMed, and UCSC
• Self-motivated with strong organizational and interpersonal skills and leadership skills

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Overall Purpose of the Job

• To provide project management support to the Vector Atlas PI, scientists, staff, consultants, students and interns for efficient and timely implementation of the project activities.

Specific duties

• Coordinate logistical aspects of project management activities ensuring smooth execution of events such seminars and workshops and training activities.
• Ensure Documentation Management regarding meetings, trainings, and help compile and share minutes and perform filing.
• Support effective communication among project stakeholders as well as researchers, trainers, policymakers, and partner institutions.
• Prepare reports, presentations and other project-related documents ensuring alignment with project objectives and stakeholders’ requirements.
• Assist in organizing the availability of necessary resources to facilitate learning session and project implementation skill development.
• Coordinates the planning and organising of internal and external meetings and other events (e.g. folders and materials, registration forms, workshop programmes and name tags, follow up on payments and settlement of working advances, documentation and proceedings).
• Processes and makes follow-up on project payments including partner disbursement and other payments and maintains a database- of the same for ease of reference and follow-up.
• Coordinates all matters pertaining to travel advances, cross-checking and accountability of employees within the unit.
• Facilitate staff and student recruitment and renewal of contracts.

Requirements/ qualifications

• First degree in a relevant field with experience in Project Management and/or Financial Management.
• At least 2 years’ experience in project implementation, documenting, and reporting in an NGO setting.
• Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, time management, ability to multitask, define and set priorities, and problem solve.
• Effective communication and writing skills taking notes and report writing.
• Experience in facilitating teamwork and collaboration with partners at all levels.
• Strong ability to anticipate and plan ahead, and take personal initiative, work both independently and as a team member, and collaborate and coordinate with others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.