Job Title:  Director of Research

The National Agricultural Research Organisation is established by the National Agricultural Research Act 2005 to provide strategic direction for publically funded agricultural research in Uganda. The Organisation is governed by a Council, with a Secretariat for its day-to-day operations.

Job Summary: The Director of Research will serve as the Head of the Public Agricultural Research Institute (PARI) and will provide professional, technical and administrative guidance necessary for implementing the institute mandate.

Key Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Offer leadership in priority setting and implementation of research programmes.
• Provide policy advice on appropriate technologies and information for responsible agricultural practice;
• Develop and implement a strategy on Resource Mobilisation to enable the institute have additional funding for research and staff remuneration;
• Responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans, research programmes 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 programmes to ensure that role of the Institute is recognised by the public;
• Institute participatory approaches and methods to monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of the Institute’s research activities and technologies;
• Working 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;
• Monitoring 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 programme comply with National and sector development plans and strategies;
• Actively participate up to 25 percent of his/her time in scientific research activities

Qualifications, Skills and Experience for the job:

• The applicant should preferably hold a PhD in the field of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Sciences or Agricultural Economics.
• A minimum of ten or more years’ experience in either agricultural research planning or management. Equal experience from related institution is acceptable.
• Excellent track record in agricultural research or research in other related fields 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/centres as well as development partners and private agencies.
• The candidate must demonstrate a clear understanding and ability to uphold provisions of the Leadership Code Act, 2002.
• Must have served in a research, academic institution or related reputable research institution at a level of senior research/management level and above.

How to Apply for the job:

All suitably qualified and interested applicants should send 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 to be the most suitable 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, copies of certificates and, testimonials should be submitted to:

The Director General,

National Agricultural Research Organization,

P.O. Box 295, Entebbe, Uganda

Deadline: 31st October 2014 by 5:00 p.m.

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