EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Agrifood Africa Innovation Fellow (KTP Associate)
Agrifood Africa Innovation Fellow (KTP Associate)
2-year fixed-term role
CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Newage Agric Solutions Ltd, Lancaster Environment Centre
Closing Date: Monday 3rd June 2024
Interviews will take place in-person at Newage Agric Solutions Ltd, Weta Irrigation Scheme
Working conditions
Normal working conditions as per the regulations and Policies of the CSIR and the Public Services Commission
Salary is attractive and negotiable
This position is based at Newage Agric Solutions Ltd, Weta Irrigation Scheme, with travel to Kumasi (approximately 2 months) and Lancaster, UK, (at least one trip of approximately 2 weeks). Travel costs will be funded by the project budget.
This is an exciting opportunity for an agricultural or environmental scientist to lead a project to enable Newage Agric Solutions Ltd to establish a water-saving irrigation technique as the default management within the Weta irrigation scheme, to deliver different rice products to Newage’s value chain.
The post offers a 24-month fixed term contract to support an African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) between Newage Agric Solutions Ltd, CSIR-Crops Research Institute (Ghana) and the Lancaster Environment Centre (UK), supported by Innovate UK.
You’ll lead the management and implementation of the project, which aims to provide a new technology package to support rice production, by creating and conveniently implementing bespoke water-saving irrigation, applying organic amendments to reverse soil degradation and identifying climate-resilient rice cultivars. The technology package will be suitable for farmers to implement within Ghanaian irrigation schemes to boost their production and profits.
You’ll be employed by CSIR-Crops Research Institute, but based at Newage Agric Solutions Ltd (co-located with the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority) at the Weta Irrigation Scheme, with additional supervision from Lancaster University, UK. There will be travel to Kumasi to the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, and to Lancaster Environment Centre, UK, to conduct experiments and undertake training. Travel and subsistence costs for these trips will be funded by the project budget. You must reside in Ghana for the duration of the project.
Newage Agric Solutions is a Ghanaian company, that makes quality agricultural inputs and services accessible to farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector across Ghana. The business comprises agro input importation and distribution; an outgrower scheme for maize, rice and soybean production; rice milling and seed production. The company markets premium long-grained locally produced jasmine rice, by contracting farmers within the Weta Irrigation Scheme and supplying in-house agronomic advice.
CSIR-Crops Research Institute is a Ghanian centre of excellence for agricultural research, innovation and capacity building for development. Its mission is to develop and disseminate demand-driven technologies and build capacity for sustainable food and industrial crop productivity to enhance livelihoods.
Lancaster University is in the top 15 in all 3 UK league tables and globally recognised for the quality of its teaching and research. Lancaster Environment Centre is one of the world’s largest centres for environmental research, with its environmental sciences rated within the top 100 of QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2024.
You will hold a PhD or be a talented Masters graduate in agricultural engineering, agronomy, plant and crop sciences or soil sciences, with a proven track record within a commercial and/or research environment. Experience of field and laboratory analysis is desirable.
The reward package includes support for your personal development, with time allocated for you to pursue training and learning in Ghana and the UK.
This African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnership (AAKTP) project is funded by UK Research & Innovation through Innovate UK. KTPs bring together universities, research institutes and business to work together on a development project that is strategically important to the future of the business. KTPs are delivered by graduates who enhance their career prospects by benefiting from business-based training and personal and professional development. African Agriculture Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (AAKTPs) are a partnership between a UK Knowledge Base, and a Knowledge Base and Business Partner in one of the following countries:
Republic of Ghana, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Kenya or Republic of South Africa. For further information visit Home – Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (ktp-uk.org)
Please direct informal enquiries to:
Office of the Director
CSIR-Crops Research Institute
Telefax: +233 (0) 3220 60396
Email: Cridirector@yahoo.com
How to apply:
Applicants should submit an application letter, CV, certificates and 2 references to:
CSIR-Crops Research Institute
P. O. BOX 3785
Fumesua-Kumasi, Ghana
GPS Address: AE-0680-9724
Alternatively
Send your application online to:
Please label the envelope containing your application documents and the subject of the email with the reference: AAKTP
