Assistant Research Associate - Mechanization (LRS)

CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated candidate for the position of Assistant Research Associate – Mechanization to be based in Mwenezi, Zimbabwe (or other working districts). This is a nationally recruited position and is open to all Zimbabweans with excellent academic records and relevant experiences. This position will support field implementation of a mechanization project, develop work plan, and guide and support project staff and partners in implementation and achieving goals. The incumbent will be required to communicate and liaise with partners, collect and analyze mechanization research and business data, and prepare reports, publications, and presentations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish mechanization and irrigation service providers in the Project areas in partnership with public and private sector partners
• Provide technical support to mechanization and irrigation service providers and collect and process their mechanization business/income, expenditure, and repair and maintenance data;
• Establish and monitor on-farm mechanization and irrigation trials/demonstrations as per protocols and collect and organize machinery, soil, and agronomic data as per instructions provided;
• Organize awareness meetings, field days, fairs, and other promotional activities in partnership with project partners;
• Assess new and existing farm machinery and other technologies, collect user feedback, prepare reports; and improve machinery in partnership with local manufacturers;
• Support local manufacturers (manufacturing machinery or spares) and local machinery and spare part dealers at the project district;
• Develop training curricula and train farmers, mechanization service providers, manufacturers, dealers, NGO staff and other partners on operation, repair, trouble shooting, maintenance, and fabrication of farm machinery and irrigation equipment;
• Provide technical support to the SPs, record their machinery problems, and develop solutions in partnership with local manufacturers and machinery suppliers;
• Support preparation of technical bulletins, leaflets, and other promotional materials;
• Assist in implementing mechanization research and field activities;

Required academic qualifications, skills, and attitudes:

• BSc Agricultural Engineering with minimum three years of work experience in smallholder mechanization project(s) or MS in Farm Machinery/Mechanization or related field with one year of relevant work experience in smallholder mechanization project(s).
• Have experience in establishment and monitoring of research experiments involving two-wheel tractor operated seeders, rippers, boom sprayers, multi-crop threshers and other smallholder machines
• Experience with public-private partnerships in mechanization value chain would be an added advantage.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the smallholder agricultural machinery operations, troubleshooting, and delivery issues in Zimbabwe.
• Have hands-on experience in developing training modules and conducting training programs on smallholder machinery.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English is essential.
• Candidates must have both class 3 and class 4 valid driving licenses
• he selected candidate must be able to demonstrate the following competencies: Interpersonal skills, teamwork, communication, client orientation, and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.How to applyKindly fill and submit the online form on https://apply.workable.com/cimmyt-1/j/67A4429196/ no later than Wednesday 23rd  January 2024. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

  CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality. Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

  How to apply

  Kindly fill and submit the online form on https://apply.workable.com/cimmyt-1/j/67A4429196/ no later than Wednesday 23rd  January 2024. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

  CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality. Women candidates are encouraged to apply.

  Experience with public-private partnerships in mechanization value chain would be an added advantage.Demonstrate familiarity with the smallholder agricultural machinery operations, troubleshooting, and delivery issues in Zimbabwe.Have hands-on experience in developing training modules and conducting training programs on smallholder machinery.Good written and verbal communication skills in English is essential.Candidates must have both class 3 and class 4 valid driving licensesThe selected candidate must be able to demonstrate the following competencies: Interpersonal skills, teamwork, communication, client orientation, and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.