Laboratory Manager at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Laboratory Manager

Location: Ibadan, Oyo
Contract: 2-year renewable contract

Duties
Successful candidate will among other things perform the following duties:

• Perform germplasm (Seed) health testing using conventional microbiological and molecular method.
• Ensure implementation of GHU standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality control and quality assurance as per the GHU QMS systems.
• Manage GHU service requests (permits, pre- and post-entry inspections, seed health testing and other related) monitor progress and ensure timely delivery of services.
• Serve as liaison with internal clients and quarantine authorities.
• Conduct research and services as directed including seed health testing and diagnostics.
• Manage and safe keep GHU research records, service requests and electronic data (data management and documentation).
• Report non-compliance, including documenting the instances as how procedures were abated and report immediately or on weekly basis to the supervisor.
• Communicate effectively about on-going and pending task with internal staff and Supervisor.
• Provide timely response to general enquiries from Supervisor, staff and partners.
• Ensure full compliance to GHU SOPs.
• Ensure familiarization with the latest policies, phytosanitary procedures and diagnostics to stay abreast with advancements.
• Submit report as per the reporting guidelines and timelines to Supervisor.
• Perform any other job-related task as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Plant Biology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Biotechnology or related field with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in general laboratory management, SOP preparation or implementation, seed health testing by conventional agar planting method and application of diagnostics techniques such as ELISA, PCR in a well-structured organization.

Competencies:
The ideal candidate must:

• Basic knowledge in plant pathology, seed health testing and propagation of planting material
• Be experienced in seed health testing and analytical laboratory skills.
• Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.
• Ability to work independently and assume responsibility for own work as well as being able to work as part of as team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (French is an added advantage).
• Have good computational skills.
• Ability to work as a multidisciplinary team member in a cross-cultural environment.
• Good awareness of quality management procedures, ISO, ISTA and other laboratory quality management system are desired.
• Provide timely response to general enquires from supervisor, staff and partners
• Ensure full compliance to GHU SOPs
• Be familiar with the latest policies and phytosanitary procedure and diagnostics to stay abreast with advancements
• Submit reports as per the reporting guidelines and timeline to supervisor.

Benefits
We offer highly competitive salaries with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.

Application Closing Date
13th September, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online