Research Supervisor (2 Positions)

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); Town of Freetown (NY); On-site; USD 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salaries

Attractive benefits

Excellent working conditions

Job summary

A research institute for agricultural innovation seeks a Research Supervisor to oversee field campaigns in Sierra Leone. The successful candidate will design and supervise nutrient trials and contribute to the capacity building of extension agents. A minimum of two years’ experience in a similar role is required, along with a background in Agronomy or Agricultural Science. This position offers competitive salaries and attractive benefits in a pleasant campus environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' experience in a similar role.
• Experience in overseeing field campaigns and trials.
• Strong understanding of agricultural practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee field campaigns to collect soil information.
• Design and supervise nutrient omission trials.
• Train extension agents and farmers in field crop management.
• Support lime incubation calibration experiments.
• Train extension agents and farmers in field crop management techniques.
• Design, establish and maintain field experiments and manage data.
• Ensure accurate data recording and trial documentation for validation.
• Supervise field staff and gather farmer feedback to refine research approaches.
• Perform other task as assigned by the Supervisor.

Skills

Computer literacy

Excellent communication skills

Strong analytical mind

Supervisory experience

Education

HND/ BSc in Agronomy, Agricultural Science or related courses

Tools

ICT packages (Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OCS, ODK)

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

ODK

Job description

Position: Research Supervisor

Contract: 2-year renewable contract Location: Njala and Magbosi, Sierra Leone

The research supervisor shall oversee field campaigns to collect soil information across Sierra Leone, design and supervise nutrient omission trials and other field experiments for site‑specific nutrient management (SSNM), and contribute to the capacity building of extension agents.

Closing Date:- 23 March 2026

DUTIES

• Support the establishment and management of nutrient omission trials for development of site-specific nutrients management tools.
• Contribute to soil sampling to obtain data for digital soil mapping in Sierra Leone.
• Contribute to lime incubation calibration experiment.
• Contribute to training of extension agents and farmers in field crop management and field crop techniques
• Design, establish and maintain field experiments.
• Manage, analyze and prepare data tables, and assist in the writing of research reports.
• Ensure accurate data recording and maintain trial documentation for research validation.
• Gather farmer feedback to refine research approaches and ensure adoption of recommended practices.
• Supervise field staff.

• Perform any other job-related task as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

QUALIFICATION:

HND/ BSc in Agronomy, Agricultural Science and other related courses. The ideal candidate must have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience performing a similar role in a well-structured environment.

COMPETENCIES:

The ideal candidate must:

• Be computer literate and proficient in the use of ICT packages, including Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OCS, ODK, etc.
• Be trustworthy and discreet when handling confidential information.
• Have excellent communication skills (writing, reading, and oral).
• Possess a strong analytical mind.
• Be able to work with minimum supervision.

REMUNERATION:

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