Research Assistant at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

Responsibilities

The candidate will contribute to ongoing research projects which focus on identifying the conditions that enable and constrain East African dairy producers in adopting climate smart agriculture practices. The research team aims to develop specific baseline estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock and livestock related products such as manure, identify effects of livestock systems on water quality and water quantity and identify potential mitigation practices that also improve dairy/beef production in smallholder systems. The candidate is expected to work within an international dynamic team in ILRI’s Mazingira Centre (mazingira.ilri.org).The position entails a significant component  of hands-on work including handling of and sampling from large and small ruminants The candidate will contribute to this by undertaking the following activities:

• Planning, participation and oversight of ruminant research trials
• To coordinate and assist in day to day running and maintenance of animal facilities
• To collect biological samples (eg. faeces, urine, and rumen liquor), carry out greenhouse gas flux measurements from ruminants in experimental trials, under the guidance of senior project staff
• To assist with data entry and processing (data organization, calculation of greenhouse gas fluxes from animal respiration chambers)
• To maintain relationships with different stakeholders including farmers and farmer groups, suppliers and ILRI ancillary staff, in order to facilitate the efficient prosecution of research trials
• Assisting Higher Degree (Research) students
• Other such duties as deemed consistent with the position by supervisor

Requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

• A diploma in agriculture related science from a recognized institution with a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a research/teaching facility or a commercial farm. A BSc degree in agriculture will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated understanding of ruminant nutrition
• Demonstrated experience and ability in animal handling and carry out basic farm routine operations
• Demonstrated ability to work constructively and collegially with technical and scientific staff and students with minimal supervision
• Good skills in written and spoken English

Terms of Appointment

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus. It is open to Kenyan nationals only. The position is on a 1-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Job Level

This position is job level 2B, and ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes; pension, medical and other insurances for ILRI’s Nationally Recruited Staff.

How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, that specifically address the selection criteria and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development by clicking on the "Apply Now" tab above before 19th October, 2017. The position title and reference number REF: RA/SLS/10/2017 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.