Plant Health Specialist(National Agricultural Research Organization)-Job vacancies in Uganda

Job Title:  Plant Health Specialist
Organisation: National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)
Job Location: Kampala, Uganda
Deadline: 30th December, 2013
Institute: National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)
About NARO:
The National Agricultural Research Organisation is established by the National Agricultural Research Act 2005 as a body corporate with the mandate to provide strategic direction for publicly funded agricultural research in Uganda. National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) is one of the public agricultural research institutes under the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) established under the Act of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. NaCRRI has an approval for a grant to run a four year project to establish a Cassava Seed Systems for Uganda. Part of this grant will be used to hire competent personnel for efficient and effective management of the project.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

•     Ensure health status of cassava basic and pre-basic seeds
•     Responsible for coordinating crop inspection in liaison with the agronomist, participating partners and National Seed Certification Services
•     Collect, analyse plant health data and present reports in agreed formats
•     Ensure compliance with quality standards by the participating private TC labs
•     Train crop inspectors in cassava disease diagnostic techniques
•     Train cassava seed entrepreneurs and extension officers in the project area on disease diagnosis, management and control
•      Participate in public engagements on cassava disease management and control
•     Participate in work plan and budget development processes
•     Performing any other duties as assigned by the designated supervisor

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

•     The applicant must possess a master’s degree in Crop science with specialization in plant pathology or crop protection is required
•     Prior experience in pest/disease monitoring, laboratory diagnostics, seed inspection and management is required
•     Highly results-oriented with a keen eye for detail
•     High degree of integrity, with proven interpersonal, interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder management skills
•     Strong strategic, quantitative, analytical and computer skills
•     Self-drive, demonstrated willingness to spend extra time to achieve results with minimum supervision
•     Excellent report writing, oral and written communication skills

NB: Young and dynamic candidates willing to undertake extensive travel are preferred

How to Apply:
All interested candidates should send their applications with recent passport size photographs, Curriculum Vitae, certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts and indicate two competent referees with day time telephone contacts to:
The Director, National Crops Resources Research Institute, 
National Agricultural Research Organization, 
P 0. Box, 7084, Kampala, Uganda 
Telephone No: +256414573016 Gayaza Zirobwe Road.