SAULT STE. MARIE INNOVATION CENTRE

The Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) and NORDIK Institute (Algoma University) are seeking a qualified individual to lead the RAIN as Research Project Coordinator. The candidate will collaborate with Algoma agricultural producers, agri-business owners, consumers and government staff.

Duties:

Reporting to a Research Director, the candidate will seek advice from a RAIN Advisory Committee during the fulltime, three year duration of the pilot project.

Responsibilities:

• Supervision of a research technician responsible for planning and undertaking crop trials; a market development specialist responsible for increasing market access for producers; and a number of youth interns involved with various activities of the network.
• Establishing and maintaining a research site and grower cooperator trials aimed at crop and livestock diversification and increased cash and specialty crop production in Algoma District.
• Undertaking through a consulting contract an agricultural engineering study to define the need and strategy for agricultural tile drainage in Algoma.
• Completing additional stakeholder consultations to identify crop development and research priorities.
• Coordinating delivery of at least 10 education and training as well as technology transfer events.
• Seeking improvements in consumer and private sector awareness and in market access for healthy, locally grown foods and other agri-based products.
• Establishing an ongoing communications network, collaboration and information exchange among research organizations and producers both within and external to Northern Ontario.
• Identifying and developing additional funding opportunities for the network.
• Developing a long term funding strategy for the network for sustained operations.

Additional Qualifications

• Preferred candidates will have an M.Sc. or Ph.D. in agriculture or related bioscience, or have an M.B.A in relation to agricultural research and innovation, production and/or agri-business development.
• Training or experience in forest and/or woodlot product development will be considered an asset.
• Experience in planning and management of crop and/or market development research is essential. 
• The candidate must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• Demonstrate the capacity to prepare funding proposals, plan and execute research based on network priorities; collect, analyze and report findings to producers and other clients, oversee market and economic analyses and lead or participate in scientific report writing.
• Possess excellent team and personnel management abilities, organizational and oral/written communication skills and be capable of working with little supervision.
• Work ethics and personal attitude will rate highly in selection of the successful candidate.

Salary:

This is a 3 year position, ending December 2015. Total pay including mandatory deductions will not exceed $70,000 per annum. This project is funded through RAIN project contributors, the Trillium Foundation, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and FedNor. The successful candidate will work out of SSMIC in the Essar Convergence Centre on the Algoma University campus.

Interested candidates should submit a CV, cover before noon November 26th, 2012:

Errol Caldwell

Research Director

Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre

1520 Queen St. E., Sault Ste Marie ON P6A 2G4

Tel: 705-942-7927 ext 3147

Fax: 705-942-6169

Email: ecaldwell@ssmic.com