Reports to: Deputy Director General for Research

Location: United Arab of Emirates

Main purpose of position

ICARDA is seeking a Date Palm Entomologist Expert to work on the Development of Sustainable Date Palm (DP) Systems. The work of the expert covers management of red palm weevil (RPW) and other key insect pests through:

·       Coordination of multi-stakeholders on red palm weevil

·       Scaling of problem-Solving innovations on red palm weevil and other pest management together with partners

·       Capacity Building

About ICARDA

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.

ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org

All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged into a reform process (“One CGIAR’”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.

Main responsibilities

• Planning and Development: Working with stakeholders to define project goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Tracking project progress, analyzing data, and identifying any roadblocks or deviations from the plan.
• Reporting: Preparing regular reports for stakeholders, including project status updates, budget expenditures, and key findings.
• Budget Management: Overseeing project finances, ensuring proper allocation of funds,
• Risk Management: Identifying potential risks that could impact the project and developing strategies to mitigate them.
• Permits and Regulations: Navigating relevant regulations and obtaining necessary permits for project activities.
• Work very closely with ICARDA’s Regional Program for Arabian Peninsula, Research Programs and Support Units to ensure the quality and timely implementation of the project.
• Explore new partnership opportunities with NARS and international institutions to add value to the project implementation.
• Support the Regional Coordinator in UAE.

Requirements

Education, qualifications, and experience

• Earned PhD in Integrated Pest Management in Perennial Crops and Entomology and related fields.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in date palm weevil research for development in at least one of the GCC countries.
• At least three years of international and/or regional experience in a leadership position; ability to lead a multi stakeholders projects with multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team.
• Proven record of excellence in a relevant scientific domain.
• Extensive knowledge of RPW life cycle, behavior, and its impact on date palms. This includes knowledge of other potential date palm pests.
• Knowledge of pheromone traps, biocontrol agents, or other innovative approaches to RPW control.
• Understanding of tools like remote sensing or GIS for monitoring date palm health and RPW spread.
• Fund raising and project development experience.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English and Arabic.

Essential qualities

• Keeping up to date on the latest research and advancements in red palm weevil management.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and with a high degree of autonomy.
• Ability to think strategically combined with the ability and willingness to do hands-on work in a context of limited human and financial resources.
• A personable and supportive team-oriented candidate.
• An upbeat and enthusiastic attitude.
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Strong work ethics and integrity.
• Commitment to ICARDA’s mission.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits

The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 12 months, renewable subject to availability of funds, continued need for the position and satisfactory performance, and will be granted an all-inclusive monthly honorarium, vehicle for official and personal use including reasonable cost of fuel and maintenance to be agreed upon, the incumbent will be entitled to 2.5 days of annual leave and 1 day of medical leave for each completed month.

ICARDA is committed to increasing women representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from women.

Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.