Senior Agricultural Water Management Specialist & Office Head

The Person and the Job

If you can develop, lead and carry research projects to improve water resources management whilst also managing the smooth running of the East Africa office
of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) then this may be just the job for you. You should hold a relevant PhD and have substantial postdoctoral
research experience in the resilience and productivity of agricultural systems including irrigated and rainfed agriculture. In addition to leading research to meet
IWMI’s goals, you will develop and sustain partnerships with IWMI’s collaborators. You will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and will report via the Africa
Regional Director and relevant Theme Leaders. The opportunity to lead a theme or geographically focused component of the new Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems is also a possibility for an appropriate appointee.

As specialist you will:

• develop, lead and conduct research on topics related to agricultural water management, matching water management interventions to biophysical
and social landscape conditions, intensification of productivity in mixed farming and irrigation systems, and institutional and governance issues;
• bring innovative approaches to agricultural landscape management including ecosystem services, multi-functionality, adaptation and resilience;
• manage research projects, ensuring that work is planned and executed consistently and progress is reported periodically to relevant stakeholders;
• publish research results in the international scientific literature and other relevant media to ensure research results are disseminated to targeted audiences;
• liaise with key partners (including other CGIAR centers) and stakeholders as required in executing the research and the uptake of research
results; contribute to IWMI’s fund-raising efforts through preparation of proposals and through direct donor contact;
• contribute to IWMI’s fund-raising efforts through the preparation of proposals and through direct donor contact;
• manage project implementation, i.e., developing annual plans of operations, hiring consultants and field executors, organization of field
activities, field activity planning, monitoring and guidance, regular progress reviews with partners and field visits;
• provide research leadership and guidance in areas of expertise; provide strategic thinking to guide the direction of the East Africa portfolio and
contribute to research oversight and quality control;
• attend local/regional meetings, make presentations and other intellectual contributions; manage requests for financial and other resource input requests, etc.

As office head you will:

• take overall responsibility for the management of the East Africa and Nile Basin office and the professional and support staff (as per International
Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and IWMI requirements);
• develop and sustain relationships with project partners (current and potential), other water-related organizations, universities, research
organizations, local and international NGOs, and water ministries, and liaise on IWMI research initiatives, projects and/or themes within IWMI
with partner institutes, governments and donors;
• represent IWMI in the region, maintaining strong working relationships with research partners, donors, protocol authorities (in conjunction
with the Regional Director and Director General) and other stakeholders; attend local/regional meetings; and
• have awareness of IWMI project activities in other regions of Africa and elsewhere, and seek opportunities to work with project leaders in those
regions to develop and implement collaborative projects.

You must possess:

• PhD in Agricultural Water Management or related field;
• minimum of 10 years postdoctoral experience in the field of agricultural water management in multifunctional agricultural systems;
• demonstrated experience of successful working in, and leading, high performing teams;
• track record of representing an organization at a senior level and working closely with senior colleagues;
• excellent knowledge of water management at a range of scales, including principles of water productivity and interaction of irrigation with
other users and the environment, in developing countries;
• a solid record of publications in refereed international journals;
• ability to form and maintain partnerships with local institutions and stakeholders to facilitate delivery of outcomes;
• very good personal organizational skills;
• excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal; and
• experience living and working in developing countries, particularly Africa.
It would be useful if you have previous experience of working with regional and local agricultural players; could communicate in French and/or African
languages; and have ability to incorporate modeling into research and/or liaise with others with such skills.
This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a housing allowance, transport, education, shipping
assistance, annual home leave, retirement and health insurance package. IWMI’s policy is to appoint staff initially on three-year contracts which are subject to
renewal, depending on performance and the Institute’s needs. This position will also require travel in the regions IWMI works in.

Don't forget to mention Nature jobs when applying.

View the original article here