AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center is a nonprofit, autonomous international agricultural research center with headquarters in Taiwan and regional offices around the globe. The center conducts research and development programs that contribute to alleviating poverty and malnutrition in the developing world through the increased production and consumption of nutritious and health-promoting vegetables. AVDRC – Eastern and Southern Africa, located in Arusha, conducts vegetable research and training and provides information services for the benefit of its stakeholders in the horticultural sector in the regional. To contribute to its postharvest activities, the Center is looking for a talented, diligent, ambitious  and reliable Tanzanian citizen, who places importance on quality, team-work and diligence for the position of Postharvest Scientist under the nationally recruited staff(NRS) category

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate will report to the Postharvest Specialist

Responsibilities

·         Conduct technical training for farmers and extension officers focusing on postharvest technologies.

·         Develop and implement activities for the dissemination and upscaling of postharvest technologies of vegetable crops

·         Design postharvest equipment, technologies and systems related to improved storage, shelf-life, transportation, cold-chain technologies, packaging and handling for vegetable crops that are labor-saving, cost-and energy-efficient, and gender-friendly

·         Contribute to project proposals on postharvest as well as multidisciplinary projects involving postharvest technologies and generate ideas for new projects and research directions that fit into the center’s mission and vision.

·         Publish results in peer-reviewed journals

·         Provide expertise as a resource person for postharvest research and development in Eastern and Southern Africa

·         Use scientific knowledge and networking skills to expand the visibility and impact of WorldVeg’s postharvest activities.

·         Lead and facilitate the organization of postharvest-related outreach and promotional activities such as field days to promote the development and adoption of improved postharvest practices.

·         Conduct technical training on postharvest handling technologies for local partners, and private sector and extension agents

·         Perform other duties as assigned by the center’s postharvest specialist

Skills, knowledge, and qualifications

·         An MSc in Agricultural Engineering or Food Science from an Institution accredited by the Tanzania Commission of Universities

·         A minimum of three years’ experience in  postharvest conservation and/or processing of fruits and vegetables, notably in packaging, solar drying, juice, and jam production would be a strong asset

·         Fluency in  English and Kiswahili(spoken and written)

·         Excellent communication skills and experience in drafting promotional and outreach messages for technology adoption

·         Excellent computer skills in MS-office applications(Word, Excel, and Powerpoint)

·         Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with partners and colleagues in a multi-cultural setting.

·         Willingness to travel frequently, especially nationally but also internationally.

Only applications from shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged. The World Vegetable Center offers an attractive working environment in a multi-cultural setting with employees from different countries and diverse backgrounds.