Research Officer—Farm Production Machinery Engineer job at National Agricultural Research Organisation

Background

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 publicly funded agricultural research in Uganda. The organisation is composed of the Council as its governing body, Committees of Council, a Secretariat for its day-to-day operations with semi-autonomous Public Agricultural Research Institutes (PARI’s) under its policy guidance. The Director General invites suitably qualified Ugandans to apply for the following positions at PARIs and NARO Secretariat.

Job Purpose

The Farm Production Machinery Engineer will conduct research to develop and adapt new farm production tools, implements and machinery, methods and generates information that supports planning and monitoring of research and formulation of policies that contribute to enhancing agricultural production and productivity.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should hold Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering or BSc Biosystems Engineering Plus a Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering with a bias in farm power and production machinery.

A PhD in the field of agricultural engineering is an added advantage

Knowledge of human power systems, draft animal power technologies and motorized power systems application and utilization in agriculture

Knowledge and skills in Computer Aided Designs (CAD) and Microsoft Office

Innovative skills in designing, fabrication, testing and evaluating farm tools, implements and machinery.

Three years working experience.

Tenure of Office

The tenure of office is a 5-year contract renewable upon satisfactory performance.

• Conduct research studies on technological, ergonomic and socio-economic aspects of farm production tools, implements and machinery
• Design, specify materials and produce working drawings and blue prints to aid in IP applications, fabrication of farm production tools, implements and machinery.
• Guide the fabrication of the designed prototypes of farm production tools, implements and machinery in conformity with acceptable quality standards and social factors
• Plan and conduct experiments for evaluating the designed and fabricated prototypes of farm production tools, implements and machinery
• Conduct data analysis, report writing, and produce research publications and dissemination materials
• Develop annual research activities, budgets and work plans in the area of farm tools, implements and machinery
• Develop project proposals to secure funding for research and development in line with the institute’s strategic plan and government development frameworks
• Train stakeholders (famers, fabricators, rural artisans, extension workers, etc.) in different aspects of farm tools, implements and machinery.
• Disseminate proven farm tools, implements and machinery to uptake pathways for adoption and scaling up
• Prepare and submit technical and periodic reports in the research area of farm tools, implements and machinery
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

• Knowledge of human power systems, draft animal power technologies and motorized power systems application and utilization in agriculture
• Knowledge and skills in Computer Aided Designs (CAD) and Microsoft Office
• Innovative skills in designing, fabrication, testing and evaluating farm tools, implements and machinery.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering or BSc Biosystems Engineering Plus a Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering with a bias in farm power and production machinery.
• A PhD in the field of agricultural engineering is an added advantage