Radio Assistant – The Organic Farmer Radio (TOF) at icipe

Vacancy Ref. No. NRS/32/092013

TOF Radio Assistant icipe – African Insect Science for Food and Health is an intergovernmental organisation funded by governmental aid agencies, UN organisations and private foundations to carry out research and training in environmentally sound and sustainable management of arthropods for improving health and agricultural productivity in the tropics. 

icipe has 400 staff to support its research and capacity building programmes located at various sites in Kenya and Ethiopia.

icipe wishes to urgently recruit a suitable person to fill the position of TOF RADIO ASSISTANT to support the radio producer in the production of The Organic Farmer Radio (TOF) programmes within the Biovision Farmer Communication Programme (FCP). 

The TOF Radio show is a weekly programme in Kiswahili that focuses on ecologically friendly agricultural practices for small-scale farmers in Kenya. 

The programme airs commentaries on critical issues that farmers face in their daily life and provides crucial information on important topics such as organic agriculture, ecological pest control, soil improvement and marketing. Through the programme, farmers share their experiences for other farmers to learn from. Research findings on new, sustainable agricultural technologies are also presented regularly in the show.

The Organic Farmer Radio is broadcast on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation’s KBC Kiswahili Service every Thursday at 8.15 pm and on Milele FM every Tuesday from 8.30 pm. The position is tenable in Nairobi, Kenya at the icipe Duduville campus. 

This is a two-year contract, with a possibility of extension after successfully completing a six-month probation period of the first contract. Overall purpose of the job
The radio assistant will support the radio manager in the production of TOF radio shows. 

The assistant will also handle some administrative tasks to ensure the smooth running of the radio programmes and provide technical support with research, planning and production of live and pre-recorded radio programmes. Specific Responsibilities and Duties
The successful candidate is expected to support:

• Researching of content, finding original stories and contributors;
• Conducting interviews with farmers and resource persons;
• Script writing, recording and editing of programmes;
• Archiving programme material;
• Offering creative input to TOF magazine and other FCP projects.

Knowledge required for performing the job The role of radio assistant has more emphasis on technical and production tasks:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills (both in English and Kiswahili);
• Excellent interviewing skills;
• Proficiency in sound editing software, e.g. Adobe® Audition®;
• Recording in both studio and on location.

Requirements / Qualifications

• A Bachelors degree, preferably in media and communication or related fields.
• A Diploma in broadcast journalism and proven experience in script writing for radio, audio editing and community media production may be considered.
• Experience of working with small-scale farmers will be an added advantage.
• A good radio voice is required.

Reporting This position reports to the TOF Radio Programme Manager.
The selected candidate should be available to start work on 1 October 2013 or earlier.
Applications will be accepted up to 10th September 2013, or until the position is filled, whichever is earlier. 

Please quote the job reference number NRS/32/092013 on the envelope and application cover letter reference line (if you are sending hardcopies through the post), or email subject line (if you are sending email attachments). 

Only applications of shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged. 

Please send an application (including current salary details and anticipated remuneration package), with a detailed CV, names and addresses of 3 referees (including e-mail addresses and fax numbers), and a one-page write-up on how you consider yourself suitable for the above job to: icipehr@icipe.org
Human Resources Department
icipe – African Insect Science for Food and Health
P.O. Box 30772-00100
Nairobi
Kenya
icipe is an Equal Opportunity Employer