Reports to: Principal Scientist - Small Ruminant Physiology and Management

Location: Tunis, Tunisia

Main purpose of position

The Senior Research Assistant – Small Ruminant Health and Reproduction will work within the multidisciplinary Resilient Agrosilvopastoral Systems (RASP) team and contribute to the implementation of an integrated herd-health package, implementing One Health related research activities and smart management of reproduction. The Senior Research Assistant will contribute to CGIAR Science Programs and bilateral projects in Tunisia and other countries.  The position is technical and field oriented and is key for implementing ICARDA’s novel research on integrated improvement of small ruminant productivity to support poor and vulnerable smallholder farmers.

 About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.
ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.

Main responsibilities

• Contribute to the implementation of smart reproductive techniques and technologies that are needed for a wider dissemination of improved genetics in the framework of ICARDA initiatives to set up sheep and goat breeding schemes.
• Support the design and supervise the implementation of sheep and goat integrated herd-health packages at community and landscape levels including data collection, curation, analysis, and reporting.
• Assist research partners in conducting One Health research activities that are relevant to ICARDA system-based research approach on small ruminants.
• Contribute to institutional capacity development of national partners through training, supervision, and technical backstopping.
• Assist in publication of technical reports and journal articles and prepare scientific presentation material.
• Represent ICARDA in national fora.
• Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

Education, qualifications and experience

• DVM, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (or equivalent Qualification).
• At least 3 years of practical experience.
• Good knowledge of small ruminant reproduction, health, and integrated herd management.
• Experience with small ruminant reproduction and health data recording, data quality control, data analysis and interpretation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Conversant with Microsoft Office and graphic programs.
• Fluency in spoken and written English with good communication skills. Proficiency in Arabic and French is desirable.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

This is a nationally recruited position open for Tunisian nationals for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first year will be a probationary period.

Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.