Job opportunity
The Director of Research Mukono Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute P.o.Box 164 Mukono invites suitably qualified persons to fill the following posts at the Institute.

Applications should be addressed to
The Director of Research
Mukono zonal agricultural research and development institute
P.O.Box 164 Mukono

Reports to:  Director of Research

Age limit:   30-40 years.Duties and Responsibilities.

1. Participation in development implementation and evaluation of strategic human resource management plans and budgets.
2. Coordinating the recruitment and selection process and serving as secretary to the Appointments Committee.
3. Monitoring the performance of staff to ensure attainment of set performance targets and especially evaluating performance of staff undergoing probation in order to determine their suitability for confirmation in employment.
4. Overseeing the proper maintenance, storage and security of records in the registry.
5. Developing, coordinating and implementing effective strategies for improving work place relations in order to gain employee commitment and improved morale.
6. Overseeing the implementation of an effective human resource management information system for monitoring, tracking and evaluating employee activities
7. Assessing training needs of staff as well as developing and implementing on job training programmes.
8. Conferring with relevant professional bodies and government agencies on the interpretation of particular human resource management regulations that apply to public organisations.
9. Supporting the Director to execute administrative functions including fleet, assets and office management.
10. Performing any other duties assigned to you by the Director and the designated supervisor.

Personal Specification

A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or related discipline and a post graduate diploma in Human Resource management and Development, with at least eight years work experience in a busy reputable organisation.

Post: Laboratory Technician
Reports to: Research Officer
Age limit: 30-40years
Duties and responsibilities:

• Preparing and maintaining laboratory materials, equipment, facilities and work area in a clean environment.
• Setting up, adjusting, calibrating cleaning, troubleshooting laboratory and equipment.
• Receiving and prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols in order to ensure effective storage , handling and disposal of samples and specimens such as solutions, soils and plants for isolation, analysis and labeling.
• Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing as well as preserving, isolating and analyzing samples and specimens as directed.
• Processing samples and amplification of DNA, prepare culture media, centrifuge as well as grinding, drying, packaging, weighting incubation, sterization, digesting and extraction.
• Conducting standardized biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses to evaluate the quality or quantity of physical or chemical substances in plants and other plants.
• Any other duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Personal specifications:

• Diploma  in Laboratory Technology
• Two years relevant work experience.

Post :  Field Technician
Reports to: Animal Production Scientist.
Age limit: 30-40years
Duties and responsibilities:

• Develop a field plan for conducting experiments on either the Institute farm or on land belonging to farmers.
• Collecting data, specimens and samples at various experimental plots.
• Conducting disease surveillance by visiting farmers to establish extent of disease and pest outbreak.
• Participating in developing and delivering education and training programmes to farmers and other stakeholders including students on visits and attachments.
• Participate in baseline surveys to determine farmer needs and production constraints as well as establish impact of technology adoption.
• Participate in Agricultural exhibitions and other programmes designed for technology transfer.
• Weeding and thinning excess, diseased, weakling and stunted seedlings to ensure continuous growth of pasture.
• Monitoring the experimental plots for germination and sprouting as well as replanting, gap filling and tagging.
• Participate in workshops, Agricultural shows and any other activity related to information dissemination.
• Prepare animal, feeds and ensure right quality and quantity is given to animals.
• Isolation, cultivation and identification of parasites, antibodies/ antigens, diseases and micro-organism for drug resistance and sensitivity, animal moculation and biochemical reactions.

Requirements:
The candidate should have a Diploma in Agriculture, with at least four years work experience in a reputable research related organization.

Post: Soil fertility Technician.
Reports to: Soil fertility scientist
Age limit: 30-40years
Responsibilities:

• Develop a field plan for conducting experiments on either the Institute’s research farm or on land belonging to farmers.
• Preparing and maintaining laboratory materials, setting-up, adjusting, calibrating, cleaning, maintaining and troubleshooting laboratory
• Visiting farmers to identify soil fertility problems and indigenous traditional knowledge used to manage the problem in target areas.
• Measure or weigh compounds and solutions for use in testing as well as preserving, isolating and analyzing samples and specimens as directed.
• Collecting data analyzing soil specimens and plant samples.
• Collaborating with scientists in disseminating and presenting research results to multi-sectoral stake holders.
• Providing input in the design and construction of facilities for undertaking experiments.
• Disposal of waste products in accordance with safety procedures.
• Observing laboratory health and safety procedures.
• Any other duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Specifications
At least a Diploma/HND in Agriculture with four years experience in a research related environment/organization.

Last updated: 02-02-2012.

CONTACT US ON

P.O.BOX 164 MUKONO

Tel: +256 414290232

Fax:+256 414290235

Email: mknardc@africaonline.co.ug