National Agricultural Research Organisation
The National Agricultural Research Organisation was established by the National Agricultural Research Act 2005 to provide strategic direction for publicly funded agricultural research in Uganda. The Organisation is composed of a Governing Council, a Secretariat and Public Agricultural Research Institutes (PARI) under its policy guidance. The National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL), situated in Kawanda along Gulu Highway, is one of the 16 PARIs of NARO. It is a hub of agricultural based laboratories that supports the entire research laboratory network in NARO in the areas of food biosciences & agribusiness; biosystems & agricultural engineering; soils, environment & agrometeorology; and biodiversity & biotechnology. The laboratories at NARL are further intended to furnish the laboratory requirements of agro-based industries, agro-based training and skilling; and agro-based product regulation.
The Chairperson of the NARO Governing Council hereby invites suitably qualified Ugandans to apply for the following vacant position at NARL:
Job Title: Director of Research
No. of Posts: 01
Institute: NARL
Location: Kawanda, Wakiso District
Reports to: Deputy Director General-Research Coordination
Salary Grade: UR 2(i)
Tenure of Office: Five years’ contract, renewable once.
Age limit: Not above 55 years for external applicants and 60 years for internal applicants.
Job Purpose:
The successful applicant will serve as the Head of the National Agricultural Research Laboratories and will be responsible for providing professional, technical, and administrative leadership necessary for implementing the institute mandate
Specific tasks and responsibilities:
Be responsible for the overall strategic direction of the laboratories network across NARO while working with other Institutes to ensure standards, compliance and accreditation.
Manage the implementation of research and ensure prompt delivery of adequate and quality research outputs.
Provide leadership in priority setting for research programs.
Provide policy advice on appropriate technologies and information for responsible agricultural practice.
Develop and implement a strategy for resource mobilization to sustain research at NARL.
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 visibility of NARL.
Put in place participatory approaches and methods to monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of NARL’s research activities and technologies.
Work with the Zonal Agricultural Research Development Institutes and private sector entities to transfer technology and research applications to the marketplace with a view of enhancing commercialization and availability of appropriate technologies to a wide array of stakeholders.
Ensure that NARL complies with relevant legislation such as agricultural and environmental laws, among others.
Ensure that research projects and programs comply with national and sectoral development plans and strategies.
Commit up to 25 percent of his/her time to scientific research activities.
Minimum academic qualifications and experience:
Possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural sciences, Animal Sciences, Natural Resources management, Laboratory technology, Biotechnology or related disciplines with a PhD in a relevant field of either of the above disciplines
At least 10 years’ experience in agricultural, animal, natural resources, laboratory technology, biotechnology research or equivalent experience obtained from a related field is acceptable.
Possess at least five years of experience in managing multiple agricultural-based laboratories.
At least twenty (20) peer-reviewed publications, with at least five publications in the last five years.
Clear understanding of the role of agricultural research in society.
Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills, including the demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in teams.
Proven ability to influence and motivate staff towards the achievement of strategic objectives and goals.
Excellent working relationships with national, regional, and international research institutions/centers, as well as development partners and private agencies.
Must demonstrate a clear understanding and ability to uphold provisions of the Leadership Code Act, 2002.
Demonstrated experience in mobilizing funding for research and development.
Must have served in research, academic, or related reputable research institution at a Principal Research/ Management level and above.
Qualifying female candidates 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 pm on Monday 2nd June, 2025
Candidates will be contacted and notified about the recruitment process via NARO website or telephones and e-mail addresses as provided on the CV. Short-listed candidates will be required to provide certified copies of their academic qualifications.
