Location: Addis Ababa
Deadline: Jul 10, 2023
Job Description
CIMMYT is looking for an outstanding, self-motivated, and result-oriented professional for the position of Mechanization Specialist. The selected candidate will work as a member of CIMMYT’s Sustainable Agrifood Systems (SAS) program in close collaboration with other CIMMYT programs and with public, private, local, and international partners.
The position will be based at CIMMYT’s office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Specific duties:
- Identify appropriate financial products/machinery leasing options and create access to finance for service providers.
- Explore, modify, and develop scalable business models of mechanization use cases for diverse farmer typologies in smallholder systems.
- Establish on-farm trials of agricultural mechanization and conduct cost benefit analyses for different mechanization technologies from farmers/users and mechanization service providers’ points of view.
- Explore, identify, test, and lead the deployment of alternative mechanization technologies that can improve yields, grain quality, reduce costs of production, improve soil fertility, reduce labor drudgery etc.
- Conduct agricultural mechanization value chain analyses, identify constraints, opportunities, and collaboration areas along the chain.
- Build partnerships with private sector stakeholders to foster development of the machinery supply chain and collaborate closely with implementing partners.
- Generate new models and implementation practices for promotion of agricultural mechanization technologies and design different agricultural mechanization service provision models.
- Supervise second generation engineering activities i.e., adjustments, improvements, and modifications of machinery with partners, service providers, mechanics, and artisans.
- Provide practical training to local researchers, partners, extension agents, service providers, mechanics and artisans on appropriate-scale mechanization as wanted and needed by different project objectives.
- Coordinate the establishment of networks of mechanization demonstration trials.
- Assist machinery users in the different projects with trouble shooting.
- Provide technical support and capacity building for CIMMYT scientists and national partners.
- Explore funding options for mechanization projects and develop proposals.
- Publish synthesis and primary research findings in international journals.
Requirements
- MSc with at least 7 years of demonstrated hands-on practical experience in mechanization.
- Experience with on-farm research.
- Extended experience in mechanization service provision business models.
- Experience and knowledge of agricultural mechanization stakeholder landscape in East and Southern Africa.
- Experience translating research results to extension materials, training materials, and policy messages.
- Basic supervisory and teaching skills with demonstrated experience.
- Ability to communicate research results effectively to a wide range of audiences.
- Computer literacy, with proficiency in the common software packages.
- Flexibility to spend extended periods away from post location.
- Proficient communication skills in written and spoken English.
- An ability to communicate effectively and teach others.
- Desire and ability to work respectfully and inclusively in a diverse, multicultural, multidisciplinary work environment.
- The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Client Orientation, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Problem Solving and Decision-Making, Communication and Teamwork.
Benefits
The position is for an initial fixed term of two (2) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.