1.    Organizational Context

AATF is an international not-for-profit organisation that facilitates and promotes public/private partnerships to enhance food security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in SSA. AATF works with African governments, private and public technology owners and developers, NGOs, seed companies and African smallholder farmers to identify and access technologies that address farmers’ key problems and empower them through the availability of a choice of agricultural innovations that generate wealth and health for their families and communities.

AATF is a registered charity under the laws of England and Wales and has host country status with the Governments of Kenya and Nigeria. The Foundation depends on the ongoing support and collaboration of different partners and investors to meet its objectives.

AATF wishes to recruit a suitably qualified Data Management Officer based in Nairobi to provide data management support at both project and Institutional levels. This is a National Recruited position.

2.    Functions / Key Results Expected

• • Responsible for data management using the different software available at the Foundation such as Breeding Management System (BMS) etc.
  • Responsible for producing and managing standardized data.
  • Define and implement data standards and best practices for Research Data Management by developing trait ontologies, phenotyping protocols, quality standards, templates, and field books.
  • Assemble and archive all historical data on different research and commercialization effort of AATF on the appropriate data base such as AMELIA, BMS etc.
  • Perform timely data entry, curation, and analysis of experimental data such as analysis of variance for comparing genotype performance for single location and multi-environment GXE trials among others, using standard applications R, Meta-R, SPSS, GenStat, Breeding View, or any other applicable software.
  • Work closely with different projects, data management committees and other subject matter specialists to integrate field, Social-economic and gender data for analysis and archiving.
  • Assist research staff in development of experimental designs to apply appropriate statistical model for analysis.
  • Prepare periodic summaries on data analysis activities.
  • Assist in preparation of reports and visual presentation of analysis results.
  • Provide training and backstopping services regarding data management and analysis for the research staff and partners.
  • Ensuring data and information security by integrating and upholding digital security systems.
  • In-depth understanding of modern databases and information technologies.
  • Resolving data and analytics related to field research.

3. Competencies

• • A good understanding of agricultural data requirements for robust output and impact at all levels
  • Ability to coordinate, manage and inspire a diverse group of skilled professionals to collect and archive data efficiently and effectively.
  • Excellent high-level networking skills and ability to build and sustain relationships with key partners, especially project partners in the collection, assembling and sharing of data
  • Demonstrable effective communication skills
  • Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan and prioritize work activities to meet set goals and objectives
  • Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

4.     Qualifications:

Education

• •       Masters in IT, Statistics or Agricultural Science or related field. A PhD shall be an added advantage.

Experience

• • With minimum of five (5) years’ experience in data management for a plant breeding program in a well-structured environment or donor-funded organization.
  • Be proficient in the use of Excel, statistical packages (STATA, SPSS, R, GenStat, ASREML, GXE Biplot), and computer programming languages (JAVA, Python) ability to use SAS shall be added advantage
  • Have a good understanding of experimental design, statistics and its principle in plant breeding, agronomy practices and socioeconomic data analysis.
  • Experience in data management systems for agricultural research.
  • Familiarity with databases and commercial plant breeding software systems will be an added advantage.

Language Requirements: 

• • Fluency in written and spoken English. A working knowledge of a 2nd language – French/Portuguese would be an added advantage

5. Terms of Employment 

This is a nationally recruited position based in Nairobi Kenya. The contract will be for two years period, subject to a probation period of six (6) months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.  AATF offers a multicultural collegial environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits; we believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence.

AATF is an equal opportunity employer; committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious and ethnic backgrounds and any other diversity groups to apply and become a part of our organization.

6. Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates are invited to send their applications on or before 17  June 2022 to aatf- hr@aatf-africa.org and clearly indicate on the email subject Data Management Officer. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.