Research Assistant (Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System) at Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)

Location: Republic of Benin
Last date: 24th September 2010
Email: AfricaRice?hr@cgiar.org

Research job in Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) for Research Assistant Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) to join its Remote Sensing and GIS Unit.

It is a GSS (General Support Staff) level position based at the temporary headquarters of the Institution in Cotonou, (Republic of Benin).


The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) ex WARDA is an association of 24 African member states and one of the 15 International Centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (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 environments.

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) ex WARDA is temporarily headquartered in Cotonou, Benin. More information on AfricaRice is available on www.AfricaRice.org.

Position: Research Assistant
Category: GSS G 6

Responsibilities:
He/she will attend to all activities related to Remote Sensing & GIS at AfricaRice and is responsible and reports to the Remote sensing & GIS specialist, the Research Assistant will:

• Perform Remote Sensing and GIS analysis in the field of water resources and agriculture.
• Assist in mapping rice in Africa.
• Develop methods to map and classify (a?) biotic stresses in rice?growing ecologies.
• Assist in preparing presentations and publication of research results.
• Assist in developing research proposals.
• Undertake any other duties as requested by the Remote Sensing and GIS specialist

Requirements:
The successful candidate should have:

• A MSc in Geography, Ecology or Agriculture with a specialisation in Geographical Information Systems & Remote Sensing or a MSc in Geo?information Science (remote sensing) with a strong background in agriculture and environment.
• At least two years post MSc experience in using remote sensing software like ERDAS Imagine or ENVI.
• Experience is handling large hydrological and land use data sets while working accurate and efficient.
• Experience in the use of satellite images including IKONOS/QuickBird, Spot, Landsat, Aster and MODIS.
• Strong analytical skills as well as knowledge of spatial statistics.
• Knowledge of rice, rice ecologies and rice?based systems in Africa as well as an appreciation of challenges confronting farmers in the region are considered as an asset
• Communication skills are required in either English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multi?disciplinary team.

Application procedure:
Send by email, fax or mail a detailed CV and a cover letter with the names and addresses of three professional references (including telephone and fax numbers with electronic address) to:

HR Manager
01 BP 2031 Cotonou (Bénin)
Tel (229) 21 35.01.88
Fax: (229) 21 35 05 56
Email: AfricaRicehr@cgiar.org

N.B.: The application file should include a detailed CV with the following indications: Name, surname, sex, date of birth, family status, nationality, higher diploma obtained number of years of professional experience, good knowledge or not of the working languages (French/English).

Applications are accepted until 24 September 2010.

Further Fellowship Information and Application - pdf