The National Agricultural Research Organisation is established by the National Agricultural Research Act 2005 as a body corporate with the mandate to provide strategic direction for publically funded agricultural research in Uganda. The organisation is composed of a Council as its governing body, a Secretariat for its day-to-day operations with semi-autonomous Public Agricultural Research Institutes (PARI) under its policy guidance. The Chairman of NARO Governing Council, hereby, invites suitably qualified Ugandans to apply for the vacant position of Director of Research in one of its Public Agricultural Research Institute
Position: Director of Research
Reports to: Deputy Director General
Salary Grade: UR 2(i)
Job Purpose: A successful applicant will serve as the Head of the Public Agricultural Research Institute (PARI) and will be responsible for providing professional, technical, and administrative leadership necessary for implementing the institute mandate.
Specific Tasks and Responsibilities: The specific tasks of the successful candidate will be to:
- Manage the implementation of Research and ensures the prompt delivery of adequate and quality research outputs.
- Provide leadership in priority setting as a requisite for the implementation of research programs.
- Provide policy advice on appropriate technologies and information for responsible agricultural practice.
- Develop and implement a strategy on resource mobilization to enable the institute have additional funding for research and staff remuneration.
- Develop and implement strategic plans, research programs and annual budget in line with approved government policies.
- Implement effective financial management policies and systems for tracking, monitoring and reporting financial performance against budget to ensure proper management and accountability of funds.
- Implement effective human resource management policies and systems.
- Develop effective communication, publicity and advocacy programs to ensure that the Institute is recognized by the public.
- Put in place participatory approaches and methods to monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of the Institute’s research activities and technologies.
- Work with the private sector to transfer technology and research applications to the marketplace with a view to enhancing commercialization and availability of appropriate technologies to a wide array of stakeholders.
- Ensure that the Institute complies with relevant legislation as well as agricultural and environmental laws.
- Ensure that research projects and programs comply with national and sector development plans and strategies.
- Commit up to 25 percent of his/her time in scientific research activities.
Required Academic Qualifications and Experience:
Interested candidates should meet the following conditions:
a) Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural sciences, livestock production, fisheries sciences or rural development. A PhD in the field of either Agricultural, livestock production, fisheries, Forestry, Rural Development and Natural Resources.
b) At least 10 years’ experience in either agricultural research planning or management from an Agricultural Research Institution. Equivalent experience obtained from a related institution is acceptable.
c) A proven record in research evidenced by at least twenty (20) peer-reviewed publications, with at least five publications in the last five years.
d) Demonstrated experience in mobilizing funding for research and development.
e) Must have served in research, academic or related reputable institution at a Principal Research/ Management level and above.
Tenure of Office: Five years’ contract renewable once subject to satisfactory performance.
Age limit: Not above 55 years for external applicants and 60 years for internal candidates
Female candidates with the required academic qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply
Application Procedure:
The interested applicants should submit hard copies of the application in triplicate specifying the position he/she is applying for with a detailed curriculum vitae prefaced with a statement of not more than 250 words explaining why they consider themselves a suitable candidate for the job. He/she should provide the names, day-time telephone numbers, e-mail, and physical addresses of 3 (three) respectable referees who are able to provide a candid opinion on his/her professional abilities, personal attributes, and suitability for appointment to the position applied for. The application letter, CV, photocopies of academic certificates, and testimonials should be submitted to the undersigned to reach him no later than 5:00 p.m. on 10thJune 2025.
Applicants are advised to quote the reference number of the post applied for on the top-left hand corner of the envelope.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and notified via NARO web-site, telephones and e-mail addresses as provided on the CV. Short-listed candidates will be required to provide certified copies of their Academic Qualifications.
Only applications responding to this advertisement and its attendant timelines will be received.
The Director General
National Agricultural Research Organization
Plot 11-13, Lugard Avenue
P.O. Box 295,
ENTEBBE