Vacancy title:
Director of Research

Jobs at:
National Agricultural Research Organisation

Deadline of this Job:
not later than 5:00 p.m. on 17TH July 2017

Duty Station:
Uganda

Job details:
The National Agricultural Research Organisation is established by the National Agricultural Research Act 2005 with a mandate to provide strategic direction for publically funded agricultural research in Uganda. The Organisation is governed by a Council, with Secretariat for its day-to-day operations. The Chairman NARO Governing Council invites suitably qualified Ugandans to apply for a vacant position at Bulindi Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Hoima District.

Job Title: Director of Research
Institute; Bulindi Agricultural Research and Development Institute
Reports to: The Director General NARO
Grade: URA 2(i)

Overall Responsibility:
The Successful applicant will serve as the Head of Bulindi Agricultural Research and Development Institute and will be responsible for providing professional, technical and administrative Leadership necessary for implementing the institute mandate.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:
The specific tasks of the successful candidate will be to:

• Manage the implementation of Research and ensure the prompt delivery of adequate and quality research outputs.
• Provide leadership in priority setting as a requisite for the implementation of research programs.
• Provide policy advice on appropriate technologies and information for responsible agricultural practice;
• Develop and implement a strategy on Resource Mobilization to enable the institute have additional funding for research and staff remuneration;
• Develop and implement strategic plans, research programs and annual budget in line with approved government policies;
• Implement effective financial management policies and systems for tracking, monitoring and reporting financial performance against budget to ensure proper management and accountability of funds;
•  Implement effective human resource management policies and systems;
• Develop effective communication, publicity and advocacy programs to ensure that role of the Institute is recognized by the public;
• Putting in place participatory approaches and methods to monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of the institute’s research activities and technologies;
• Work with private sector to bring technology and research applications to the marketplace with a view to enhancing commercialization and availability of appropriate technologies to a wide array of stakeholders;
•  Monitor challenges in the operating environment to ensure that the Institute complies with relevant legislation as well as agricultural and environmental laws including other relevant policies and guidelines;
•  Ensure that research projects and program comply with National and sector development plans and strategies;
•  Participate up to 25 percent of his/her time in scientific research activities

Required Qualification and Experience:

Interested candidates should meet the following conditions?

• A PhD in the field of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Sciences or Agricultural Economics
•  At least 10 years’ experience in Livestock or agricultural research planning or management. Equivalent experience obtained from a related field is acceptable.
• A proven record in research evidenced by at least five peer reviewed publications in the last five years.
• Clear understanding of the role of agricultural research to poverty reduction.
•  Excellent leadership, negotiations and communication skills including demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams.
•  Proven ability to influence and motivate staff towards the achievement of strategic objectives and goals.
• Excellent working relationships with national, regional and international research institutions/centers as well as development partners and private agencies.
•  Must demonstrate a clear understanding and ability to uphold provisions of the Leadership Code Act, 2002.
•  Must have served in a research, academic or related reputable research institution at a senior research/management level and above.
  Tenure of Office:

Five years contract renewable once subject to satisfactory performance.

Age limit: Not above 55 years

Job application procedure
The interested applicants should submit a hard copy of the application with a detailed curriculum vitae prefaced with a statement of not more than 250 words explaining why he or she considers oneself a the best candidate for the job. He/She should provide names, day- time telephone numbers, e-mail and physical addresses of 3 (three) respectable referees who are able to provide a candid opinion on his/her professional abilities, personal attributes and suitability for appointment to this position.

The application letter, CV, photocopies of Academic certificates and testimonials should be submitted to the undersigned to reach him not later than 5:00 p.m. on 17TH July 2017.
The Director General,
National Agricultural Research
Organization,
Plot 11-13, Lugard Avenue
P.O. Box 295, ENTEBBE

This advert can also be viewed on NARO website at www.naro.go.ug