JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Ref: IRS/023/RD/2011/10
Researcher Water Management
The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is seeking a highly qualified Researcher Water Management to
join its Sustainable Productivity Enhancement Program. The Researcher will be stationed in
Cotonou, Benin.
About AfricaRice
The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is an association of 24 African member states and one of the 15
international Centers supported by the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers
(CGIAR). The Center’s mission is to contribute to poverty alleviation and food security in Africa,
through research, development and partnership activities aimed at increasing the productivity and
profitability of the rice sector in ways that ensure the sustainability of the farming environment.
Responsibilities:
The Researcher will work under the supervision of the program leader Sustainable Productivity
Enhancement. He/She will:
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Lead the hydrology and water management activities at AfricaRice;
Collaborate with national and international research partners;
Investigate the impact of intensification and expansion of rice-based systems on the basin
hydrology and nutrient cycles using spatial hydrological modeling;
Design, set-up and supervise field campaigns to calibrate hydrological models under datascarce conditions;
Evaluate field-water management options for rice farmers in rain-fed and irrigated conditions;
Undertake scientific analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, and other processes
essential for publishing and reporting results or findings;
Publish and communicate research results in peer-reviewed journals, policy briefs, general
interest outlets, and the media;
Supervise MSc and PhD students and support staff;
Provide support and advice to other AfricaRice project where irrigation and water
management issues are relevant.
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Essential requirements
The successful candidate should have:
o A Ph.D. degree in hydrology / water resources management with a strong background in
agriculture, environment and natural resource management;
o At least 5 years work experience in water management/hydrology and agriculture;
o Strong background in irrigation management and techniques used in rice production
under various climatic conditions;
o Experience in setting up, feeding and validating spatially explicit hydrological models at
field and basin scale such as SWAP/SVAT/WEAP/SLURP/SWAT/DNDC and DSSAT in datascarce areas;
o Extended knowledge with regards to water sampling techniques and laboratory analysis
needed for water quality assessments;
o strong analytical skills as well as knowledge of spatial statistics and extrapolation
methods;
o pro-active and original way of thinking, and
o Communication skills in either English or French with working knowledge of the other.
Desirable requirements
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General understanding of nutrient cycles at field an basin level;
Experience in the use of remotely sensed hydrological data sets to feed and calibrate
hydrological models;
Experience in the use of GIS software like ArcGIS;
Scientific publication record;
Knowledge of rice-based systems in Africa.
Terms and Conditions
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This is an internationally recruited position.
AfricaRice provides attractive international salary and benefits package and a collegial
and gender-sensitive working environment.
The appointment is for two years with possibility for renewal
Application procedure
Candidates should send an application including a cover letter and a detailed CV with the following
information: Name, surname, gender, date of birth, family status, nationality, diplomas obtained,
professional experience, language skills (French/English), the names and addresses (including
telephone / fax / email) of three referees.
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To apply online for this position, please click on the following web link:
http://ict.africarice.org/apply/Positions/ResearcherWaterManagement/
Applications will be considered up to November 30, 2011.
AfricaRice believes that staff diversity promotes excellence in its operations, and encourages
applications from women and developing country professionals.
AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only the short listed candidates will be contacted.
To learn more about AfricaRice, please visit our website at
www.AfricaRice.org
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