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Science,Technology and Innovation Director

Centre for Agricultural Transformation
Full time
Apply by 03 August 2020

Job description

About the role

The Science, Technology and Innovation Director is responsible for facilitating partnership activities that leverage CAT; cultivating and engaging a network of agricultural researchers in Malawi; co-facilitating a research-on-demand pipeline development and activity progress; and working closely with CAT’s local academic partners (MUST and LUANAR) on capacity building initiatives related to Science, Technology and Innovation.

In order to deliver on the duties and responsibilities outlined below, the Science, Technology and Innovation Director will work closely a range of Technical Advisors including experts from the University of Minnesota (UMN) and Stellenbosch University (SU), as well as other CAT team members based in Lilongwe such as the Executive Director, BIC Director, Portfolio Managers, Grants Manager, and others. The Science, Technology and Innovation Director will manage and be supported by an Agronomic Services Manager and Science, Technology and Innovation Program Manager, who will take the lead on coordinating field-based activities on CAT land. 

Key responsibilities

  • Scope for relevant private sector firms/companies and assess them for possible involvement in demonstrating ag-production technologies (including seed, seedlings, agro-chemicals, crop nutrition etc.) on CAT hub demonstration plots
  • Support Science, Technology and Innovation Technical Advisors in external partnership development
  • Based on priority research areas, develop and maintain a knowledge repository of current and ongoing Science, Technology and Innovation related projects, institutions, and individuals within Malawi, and elsewhere, for use by CAT senior personnel in activity scoping and implementation
  • Manage ongoing, proactive relationships with all members of CAT’s research network (e.g., DARS, MUST, LUANAR, ATI partners, etc.), to coordinate their seamless participation in relevant CAT research activities when opportunities arise
  • Manage relationships with and technical assistance provision to MUST and LUANAR
  • Lead development of use agreements for CAT mobile lab hosts and provide technical assistance to lab curators. Support lab network program development
  • Lead incorporation of Science, Technology and Innovation research results into BIC activities through updates and collaboration with CAT’s BIC Director
  • Coordinate and manage local human capacity development opportunities
  • Coordinate selection and logistics of CAT Fellows based at Malawian and non-Malawian universities; these Fellows will supervise CAT Scholars
  • Establish and maintain a support network of CAT Scholars (Masters and PhD scholarships) at Malawian and non-Malawian institutions
  • Coordinate logistics for visiting fellows and scholars to CAT
  • Coordinate logistics and communications for Science, Technology and Innovation workshops and academic short courses presented at CAT
  •  Performing additional duties as assigned  

Does this sound like you?

  • 10+ years’ relevant experience in Malawi/SADC region, with a good understanding of academia, the public and private sector
  • Master’s Degree in an agriculture related field. PhD holders in an agriculture related field highly preferred
  • Demonstrated experience and sound understanding of science, technology and innovation – including the application of science, research and development to business and commercial activities
  • A strong science background together with a broad knowledge base to support the diverse nature of CAT Science, Technology and Innovation activities
  • Knowledge of data science and ground and remote sensors use in agriculture
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships, functional networks, and productive relations between individuals, stakeholders, and institutions
  • Strong interpersonal skills, self-motivated, and results-driven, with a proactive approach to work
  • Highly developed conceptual, analytical, and innovative problem-solving ability
  • Demonstrated experience in grant writing and preparation
  • Good command of English, spoken and written. Command of Chichewa (spoken and written) is not required but will improve candidate suitability.


Persons of all gender, race, sex, orientation, age, and identity are encouraged to apply.

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About Centre for Agricultural Transformation

Transforming Malawian and African agriculture requires new technologies, new partnerships, and new approaches to link farmers to rapidly changing domestic, regional, and international food and agriculture markets. Land O’Lakes Venture37, the University of Minnesota (UMN), Stellenbosch University (SU), and Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) have forged an innovative partnership to establish the Centre for Agricultural Transformation (CAT) as the central hub to catalyze Malawi’s agricultural growth. By leveraging their core partners’ scientific, technological, and agribusiness expertise and deep regional connections, CAT will forge integrated research-to-impact pathways that reduce productivity gaps between men and women and foster diversified, resilient, and healthy smallholder households, particularly those transitioning from tobacco farming to alternative livelihoods. 



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