Field Service Worker -Alupe

Role Overview

This field-based position keeps phenotyping trials running smoothly from land preparation through to harvest, with a focus on screening crop material against biotic stresses in dryland systems and striga-prone environments. Working alongside research associates and a Research Technician, the post holder carries out the hands-on field work and digital data capture that turn a season of planting and observation into results researchers can actually rely on. Accuracy at this level matters: the quality of every disease score and striga record collected here feeds directly into the breeding and selection decisions made further up the chain.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up screening trials against targeted biotic stresses, including timely land preparation, trial layout, sowing, and monitoring establishment to confirm uniform germination across entries.
• Coordinate irrigation schedules so that all trial plots receive water on time and in adequate quantities throughout the growing period.
• Carry out routine agronomic management of trials — thinning, weeding, irrigation and scouting for pests and diseases — and complete harvesting at the correct stage.
• Collect field data from screening trials using digital devices, following the prescribed data collection procedures without deviation and recording only what is actually observed.
• Collect striga seed at the end of the season and gather diseased tissue samples whenever the research team requires them.
• Supervise casual workers assigned to field tasks, maintain detailed records of work completed, and make sure safety protocols are observed on site.
• Apply occupational health and safety requirements in daily work and escalate any trial-related concerns promptly to the Research Technician.
• Take on other duties as assigned by research associates when seasonal priorities shift.

Requirements & Qualifications

• KCSE (O) Level education; any additional relevant training is an added advantage.
• At least one year of practical experience working on phenotyping trials.
• Familiarity with dryland crop diseases, disease scoring scales, and striga data collection.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Demonstrated integrity and honesty in data collection, with the diligence to keep records accurate and verifiable.
• Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail across simultaneous field activities.
• Self-motivation, efficiency, flexibility and respect for diversity when working with a mixed team of staff and casual workers.
• Ability to work independently on individually assigned tasks and contribute reliably to group deliverables.
• Openness to being trained in new skills relevant to the role as trial requirements evolve.