Academic Staff – Row and Forage Cropping Systems Enterprise Lead

The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) is a unique and innovative English language institution dedicated to preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders of Rwanda and East Africa. Students at RICA will engage in curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities emphasizing Conservation Agriculture and One Health principles, oral and written communication, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

In an experiential learning environment, students will develop the knowledge and experience necessary for a wide range of careers in agriculture. Students at RICA will experience six enterprises including Dairy, Poultry and Swine, Row and Forage Crops, Vegetable and Tree Crops, Irrigation and Mechanization, and Food Processing. All RICA graduates will be innovative problem solvers able to operate farms and ranches, start agribusinesses, assume management roles in cooperatives, NGOs, and other agricultural enterprises, serve their communities as extension agents and technical and policy experts or assume positions of agricultural leadership in Rwanda.

DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an Agronomy and Cropping Systems professional to lead a world-class team of academic and support staff in designing and managing the Row and Forage Crop Enterprise, oversee relevant community extension planning and activities, and work with other Enterprise Leads to oversee relevant campus farming operations. In addition to significant enterprise experience and leadership ability, ideal candidates should be passionate about experiential education with a focus on conservation agriculture and systems thinking and would actively engage with students in the learning environment by demonstrating technical skills and mentoring students. Such a candidate would commit to the RICA teaching philosophy, which celebrates experiential learning that is founded in research and extends to the community.

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a team of academic staff in designing and managing the Row and Forage Crop Enterprise
• Oversee relevant community extension planning and activities
• Work with other Enterprise Leads to oversee relevant campus farming operations
• Team teach Enterprise and Cropping Systems classes
• Mentor students on capstone experiences
• Champion Conservation Agriculture and One Health principles in teaching and mentoring

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluent speaker of English
• Ph.D. in Agronomy, Plant Science, or other relevant degrees in agriculture or natural resources; or a relevant MS and 5 or more years of recent, practical, and relevant experience
• Teaching experience
• Enthusiasm for conservation agriculture, experiential learning, and team teaching

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience teaching agriculture and agronomy
• Cropping systems experience
• Experience in active and experiential learning
• Demonstrated success in research and/or extension (e.g. presentations, publications, awards)
• Demonstrated relevant management and leadership experience
• Ph.D. preferred

BENEFITS OF JOINING THE RICA TEAM

Staff at RICA are part of creating something unique in the world. While working with other world-class educators and researchers, you will transform agriculture in Rwanda and East Africa for a conservation-minded and food-secure future. RICA staff will also enjoy an internationally competitive salary commiserate with the applicant’s background, a relocation allowance, on-campus staff housing, and an on-campus meal plan.

Submit the following documents in English to the RICA Human Resources website at

Submit your CV and Application on Company Website : Click Here

• Cover Letter summarizing intent and suitability for the position
• A resume or CV
• Official degree certificate for highest degree obtained
• Summary of the applicant’s teaching experiences (About 500 words)
• The applicant's possible contribution and plans on teaching at RICA (About 500 words)
• List of recommenders with contact information

Application review will begin 12 October 2020 and will continue until a successful candidate is identified.

Approved: August 5, 2020

Richard B. Ferguson Vice Chancellor

Academic Affairs, Research, and Extension