 |
V A C A N C Y A N N O U N C E M E N T INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012 Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105; E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG Website: www.icarda.org |
|
|
Irrigation
and Water Management Specialist
Aleppo, Syria |
||
| The
Organization ICARDA is a non-profit international agricultural research center in a worldwide consortium of 15 centers, supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The CGIAR is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). With a staff of over 400 scientists and support personnel, representing more than 40 nationalities, ICARDA addresses two key areas of agricultural research: germplasm improvement (cereals and legumes) and natural resource management. The Center has a global mandate for barley, lentil and faba bean improvement, and a regional mandate for the improvement of wheat, chickpea and forage and pasture legumes. A major emphasis is placed on the sustainable management of water and land resources, improved water productivity, and improved productivity of small ruminants in integrated farming systems in dry areas. The Center's research and training programs are implemented in partnership with national programs and, in most cases, with other CGIAR centers as well as advanced research institutes in both developing and industrialized countries. More information can be found in the center web site below. The Position Water is a scarce natural resource in the dry areas. With population increase, changes in patterns of food consumption and improved living standards, the demand for water in the dry areas is increasing. The share of water for agricultural use is, therefore, decreasing due to competition and increased allocation to domestic and industrial uses. Thus, there is a need for improvements in the efficiency of water use in agriculture. This is a major aim of the water research group of ICARDA. The group is part of the Integrated Water and Land Management Program (IWLMP) and is conducting integrated research to improve water productivity at the plant, the field, the farm and the basin levels while at the same time protecting the resource and the sustainability agroecosystems. Capacity building of NARS and out and up scaling of research outputs using innovative methods are important features of the program. As part of this effort ICARDA is seeking an Irrigation and Water Management Specialist to research and promote efficient, productive and sustainable use of scarce water resources in irrigated and rainfed agricultural production systems. He/she will work with a multidisciplinary research team at IWLMP and other research programs of ICARDA to develop strategies, methodologies and technologies that can be adapted and adopted by the farmers in the dry areas. The main activities of the position include:
In addition, the position will contribute to a larger group of experts focusing on areas of agronomy, soils, hydrology, germplasm and marginal-quality water by interacting closely with teams of scientists based at ICARDA, NARS and other centres of the CGIAR. There will be opportunities to interact with other water specialists worldwide as part of the global challenge to use water more efficiently and with other specialists who are developing and implementing integrated approaches to natural resource management. The position will be expected to contribute to the fund raising and public awareness activities of the Center by developing research proposals and public awareness materials. The position will be based at ICARDA's headquarters in Aleppo, Syria with activities conducted at ICARDA's collaborative sites in the dry areas. Qualifications and Experience
Terms of Appointment The appointment will be for an initial period of two years, renewable thereafter on an annual basis. The salary is paid in US dollars. Benefits include housing allowance, paid home leave travel, a pension scheme, life and health insurance package, vehicle for business and personal use, and free enrollment for dependent children in the ICARDA-administered International School (KG-Grade 12). Living in Syria ICARDA's headquarters are situated 30 km south of Aleppo, Syria's second largest city. In addition to the internationally-accredited School, ICARDA runs a Sports and Social Club for the staff. Syria has many historical and archaeological sites, some a short drive from Aleppo. There are four distinct seasons and the terrain varies from desert to mountains to fertile fruit orchards. Major international airlines fly into Damascus and Aleppo. Application Qualified applicants are invited to send:
(If sending by e-mail, please do not include graphics or other large file attachments.) REFERENCE: quote INT-P/0313/0 on the application (or in the subject line if applying by e-mail). APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 30 July 2008. ICARDA is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from women. |
Posted on 29 June 2008