Local Lead (Objective 3)

Job Announcement - Local Lead (Objective 3)

to strengthen and upgrade the research system, technology transfer, and intellectual property

Status: Contract

Contract duration: One year with possibility of extension

Nationality: Nepali nationals located in or outside Nepal but willing to be based at Bharatpur in Nepal.

Date Posted: May 10, 2024

Deadline: May 20, 2024

Reporting: Project Director 

Objective: Strengthen and upgrade the research system and research methodology related to extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property.

Description of the Project:

The USAID Agriculture Higher Education Activity is a 5-year funded project beginning December 2022 to December 2027. The project is being implemented with Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) in Nepal under the administration of Tuskegee University (TU); the project aims to strengthen AFU's capacity to meet the changing needs of Nepal's agriculture sector, encompassing both the public and private domains through the following key objectives: 

• improve the development of processes and capacity within AFU to ensure a comprehensive, student-centered package of curricula, course materials, and methods of instruction.
• improve the capacity of AFU to develop, maintain, and update programs through experiential learning and the use of the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework. 
• strengthen and upgrade the research system and research methodology related to extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property.
• improve and promote women’s leadership and capacity to enable women faculty members to take a lead role and to improve processes to ensure increased enrollment of female students.

Position Description:

The selected person will lead the implementation of activities under objective 3 by providing technical expertise and support to strengthen and upgrade the research system and research methodology, technology transfer, and intellectual property at AFU.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support all research, extension and technology transfer activities at AFU proposed in USAID Agriculture Higher Education
• Review the current research system and methodology related to extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property in AFU Rampur Chitwan.
• Identify gaps and weaknesses in the existing system and methodology. Engage AFU faculty and students to foster the development and use of innovative approaches to promote research, extension and technology transfer
• Develop and implement a plan to strengthen the research system and research methodology related to extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property, including identifying gaps and areas for improvement
• Guide the development and adaptation of training curricula in the areas of research, extension, IPR and technology transfer. 
• Development of the framework for Research Methodology 
• Develop guidelines and tools to measure the impact of the new research system and methodology on extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property
• Conduct workshop on research methodology, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property

(IP) Management Systems 

• Provide technical support to the project team in designing and implementing research projects related to extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property.
• Develop and implement training programs for faculty members and staff on research methodology related to extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property
• Lead to identification and use of Digital Learning Resources, Library, and Research Management Tools
• Develop a manual for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property (IP) Management Systems
• Use of Digital Learning Resources, Library, and Research Management Tools
• Build industry partnership to enhance sponsored research from private sectors 
• Prepare and submit the periodic progress report against the activities and its relevant indicator stated in the Annual Work Plan (AWP) and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) plan
• Ensure the integration of gender issues in the implementation of activities related to Objective 3 of the project.
• Work closely with the AFU focal persons and Objective Leads for Objectives 1,2 and 4 to ensure coherence and alignment in the project’s interventions.
• Additional responsibilities related to the activities under Objective 3 as assigned by the Project Director or Country Manager.

Qualifications

• PhD in agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries, research methodology or a related field. 
• At least ten years of experience working in research related to agriculture, extension, technology transfer, or intellectual property.
• Demonstrated ability to manage research and extension related projects 
• Experience in designing and implementing training programs.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Experience working in Nepal or in a similar context with agricultural universities or colleges. 
• Proven sensitivity in working and communicating with persons from other cultures.
• Excellent organizational, Information Technology (IT) and communication skills are required.
• A proven ability to interact with people at all levels such as ministries, other high-level agencies and at grass roots level in rural areas of Nepal.
• Ability to lead and work in teams across time zones but also work independently.
• Ability to listen and synthesize (sometimes) conflicting ideas from multiple stakeholders.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines. 
• Demonstrated strong experience in updating/maintaining data base of the activities and report writing.
• Knowledge of international agriculture research and community.
• Candidates from Women and underrepresented group are preferred. 
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suites (i.e., Word, Excel, Power point),  project management software, and Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
• Fluency in both English and Nepali language
• Must be a citizen of Nepal

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on USAID funded projects 
• Experience of working on agriculture research activities. 
• Strong knowledge of Information Technology (IT), communications, data management and report writing

Additional Position Information 

• This position does require weekend and after-work hours during peak season
• This position is funded through a grant and the remuneration is negotiable.

Deliverables

• Periodic progress reports (quarterly and annual) of objective 3.
• A report on the review of the current research system and methodology related to extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property.
• A report on the identification of gaps and weaknesses in the existing research system and methodology.
• A plan to strengthen the research system and research methodology related to extension, technology transfer, and intellectual property, including identified gaps and areas for improvement and support to address the identified gaps in objective 3.
• Develop training curricula in the areas of research, extension, IPR and technology transfer.
• A framework for Research Methodology.
• Workshop/training reports in a prescribed format of the project.
• A manual for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property (IP) Management Systems.

How to Apply:

Interested applicant, should submit the following documents to ngurung@tuskegee.edu to be considered for the position.

1. Most recent Resume/CV
2. A list of three to five references (with detailed contact information)
3. Copies of unofficial transcripts. Please note that official transcript (s) will be required upon hire.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and submit a completed application packet in order to be considered for the position.

The Tuskegee University reserves the right not to fill the position in the event of budgetary or operational constraints.

Paper applications will NOT be accepted in the Office of Human Resources.