The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Vacancies Closing Date: 2nd March, 2010.

IITA with Headquarters at Ibadan is an International Agricultural Research centre in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CG1AR) which is an association of about 50 countries, international arid regional organizations and private foundations. IITA seeks to increase agricultural production in a sustainable way in order to improve the nutritional status and well-being of people in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture seeks suitable candidates for the following positions at the Institute's Headquarters in Ibadan.

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT II
(2-year renewable contract)

Duties

Successful candidate will
• Compile, check and analyse International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Account Statement from IITA Ibadan Nigeria;
• Journalise and re-code ILRI Accounts Statements from IITA lbadan to the Sun System specification used by ILRI and send to relevant Finance Officers in ILRI offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nairobi and Kenya;
• Liaise with relevant Officers in IITA I Ibadan and ILRI offices to ensure regular and timely reconciliation and updating of ILRI accounts with IITA Ibadan
• Assist in preparing annual budget for the office as well as preparing cost recovery budgets for unrestricted project funds:
• Process, check and monitor various documents related to advances, payments, expense claims of ILRI staff and ILRI visitors and collaborators.
• Initiate and monitor stores requisitions and purchase orders of ILRI
• Maintain an inventory of ILRI property in Nigeria and
• Attend to various accounting requests of:
• ILRI staff and collaborators;
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
Qualification and Experience
• BSc/HND Accounting / ICAN PE II plus at least four years pos t qualification working experience in the Finance Office of a large organisation.
• He/she must have sound analytical mind and good knowledge of Computer Spreadsheet, Oracle Applications and must be willing to put in extra hours.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
(1year renewable contract)

Duties
After a period of training (where necessary) the successful candidate's duties will include the following
• Oversee the Biotechnology laboratory infrastructure and equipment;
• Handle purchasing and operational budgets;
• Service laboratory work oversight: DNA sequencing, genotyping, ploidy analysis, real time PCR, DNAextration;
• Train and manage junior technical staff and students on the bench;
• Develop and implement workflow practices from bench to budgeting and ordering to ensure smooth operation of service lab functions;
• Develop and deploy new and revised SoPs for (laboratory procedures;
• Ensure lab facility and practices adhere to occupational health and safety policy and protocols;
• Prepare clear and concise reports on laboratory operational status, data generation and interpretation to project Supervisors as appropriate;
• Understand and participate in data analysis for biotechnology laboratory projects and disseminate this information via training of colleagues;
• Attend to external visitors as required;
• Carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.
Qualification and Experience
• Msc in Biochemistry / Microbiology / Biotechnology or any other science related discipline plus relevant post- qualification working experience.
• In addition, candidates should have excellent written and oral communication skills; be well organised; able to work d under pressure and meet deadlines; follow protocols/instructions, troubleshoot and train subordinates.
• Possession of good computer skills in MS-Office and strong knowledge in experimental design and statistical analysis is also essential.

RESEARCH SUPERVISOR
(2year renewable contract)

Duties
• Successful candidate will:
• Be part of the Virology and Molecular Diagnostics Unit.
• Purify virus;
• Produce antibody;
• Maintain antibody stocks and virus cultures;
• Conduct virus disease surveys
• Provide general supervision to other staff and trainees;
• Ensure reagent stocks and ordering reagents;
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned
Qualification and Experience
• BSc/HND Biology or any related disciplines. Plus relevant working experience in laboratory' research; maintenance of laboratory, familiar with diagnostic tests such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nucleic acid isolation and detection of plant viruses.
• Candidate must have high level of experimental competence: ability to work independently and assume responsibility for own work as well as being able to work as part of a team.
• He/She must have good communication (oral and written) skills and must be highly computer literate.

Remuneration
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Method of Application
Interested applicants should forward their applications with a detailed curriculum vitae, the names and addresses of three professional referees (including telephone, fax and e-mail addresses, if available), evidence of current remuneration package and photocopies of credentials, to:
The Personnel Manager,
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture,
PMB 5320, Oyo Road,
Ibadan, Nigeria

These job vacancies can also be found on our website: www.iita.org Please note that application letters not accompanied with evidence of current remuneration and age will not be treated.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing Date: 2nd March, 2010.