Junior Research Officer - Food Technologist
International Water Management Institute, Ghana

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit a Junior Research Officer - Food Technologist CIP Africa office, based in Tamale, Ghana.

The candidate will support the GROWING project that has a significant value chain development component. A significant part of this is setting up and training members of agro-processing clubs in close collaboration with district level agents of the Women in Agriculture Development (WIAD) Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. In addition, the project will identify and collaborate with a medium-scale private sector company to develop their capacity for orange-fleshed sweetpotato puree production, with the goal of them becoming a major supplier of puree to bakeries in Tamale and its environs. Concerning product development, the food technologist is expected to work in close collaboration with the GROWING nutritionist, agronomist, and Mamp;E specialist. The candidate will advise WIAD collaborators and members of the agro-processing Clubs and will report to the Project and Marketing Manager, Country Liaison.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess the potential for different processed products using orange-fleshed sweetpotato roots and leaves to be technically and economically viable as well as assess consumer acceptability.
• Assess the institutional and financial capacity of medium-scale enterprises to engage in OFSP process product development and dissemination.
• Test and evaluate new processed products, with a goal of having affordable products that address key nutrient gaps in the diet.
• Develop and implement training programs for WIAD personnel and the agro-processing clubs
• Excellent understanding of the contribution individual micronutrients make to the diet and impact of processing on micronutrient content
• Work with team members to develop a comprehensive communication and advocacy strategy for nutritious foods
• Monitor the performance of agro-processing clubs, utilizing digital and other tools adopted by the project
• Writing of progress reports on a timely basis
• Writing monthly stories from the field

Requirements

QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• BSc degree in food technology or closely related field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Research on food product development.
• Training of field personnel.
• Knowledge of essential business skills.
• Previous work with private sector enterprises.
• Experience with video technology.
• Experience utilizing social media.
• Experience with promotion or marketing campaigns.
• Strong communication and writing skills in English.
• Knowledge of French is a plus.
• Knowledge of local languages such as Dagbani, Konkomba, Mamprusi, and Gonja.

Benefits

General information: The position is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position limited to Ghana nationals and permanent residents only. The contract will be for an initial period of 3 years (with a 6-month probation period). Renewal is dependent on performance and availability of funds.

HOW TO APPLY: Visit the following link: https://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ and submit your cover letter and a full C.V. with your references. Screening of applications will begin on July 20th, 2022 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Job Rewards and Benefits