Position: Background and Responsibilities
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Seed Scientist. This position is funded by African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD-SC). The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) (the Executing Agency) and its partners Africa Rice Centre and the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (the Implementing Agencies) has received a grant from the African Development Fund (ADF) to finance the Multinational-CGIAR Project on Support to Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops in Africa (SARD-SC). The strategic crops within the context of the project are Cassava, Maize, Wheat and Rice. The overall objective of SARD-SC is to enhance food and nutrition security and contribute to poverty reduction in Bank’s low income Regional Member Countries (RMCs). Its specific objective is to enhance the productivity and income of four CAADP’s priority value chains (cassava, maize, rice, and wheat) on a sustainable basis. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, the Executing Agency for the SARD-SC, wishes to use a portion of the grant to engage the services of a Seed Scientist. The successful candidate will report to: The SARD-SC Project Coordinator. Position Responsibilities: The Seed Scientist will undertake the following activities: • Establish and manage the multiplication and dissemination of improved maize, cultivars in collaboration with partners in the national systems and the private sector. • Develop and implement concrete plans in production and maintenance of breeder and foundation seeds of parental lines of IITA maize hybrids to support certified seed production and commercialization by relevant public institutions and private seed sector. • Assist in hybrid seed production research and establishment of distinct uniform and stable (DUS) and value for cultivation and use (VCU) for IITA products in partnership with the public institutions and the private sector to enhance release and production of cultivars. • Work with partners in promotional activities to enhance adoption of IITA varieties and hybrids in the various target countries. • Work with national and regional partners involved in harmonizing the release, production and deployment of improved cultivars in several countries. • Involve in building capacity of public and private sectors to produce breeder, foundation, and certified seeds of improved cultivars of maize, cowpeas and soybeans and market them to farming communities. • Engage in mobilizing resources to further expand dissemination coverage of improved maize cultivars. • Any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Qualification and Experience
The candidate should have a PhD in Plant Breeding, Seed Science or a closely related field from a recognized university and more than 10 years of post-PhD experience in system development especially with the maize crop. Core Competencies:. • Applied knowledge in production of seeds of maize, cowpeas, and soybean varieties. • Experience in field experimentation, trial management and quality control of improved seeds as well as familiarity in variety release procedures and seed regulations are highly preferred. • Experience in working with the informal and formal seed sector in dissemination of improved cultivars. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with good working knowledge of French preferred. • Ability to work in a multi-cultural setting and to interact with scientists and staff working in multi-disciplinary research areas. • Track record of publications in peer reviewed journals. • Strong innovation, communication and organizational skills as well as ability to teach.
General Information
We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive fringe benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.
Duty station: Abuja, Nigeria General information: The contract will be for an initial period of two years with possibility of renewal based on performance and continued availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars. Applications: Applications must include covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers Closing Date: The position will remain open to June 26, 2015
Method of Application:
Interested applicants should forward their applications with detailed curriculum vitae saved with their names in Microsoft word format. The application must include the names and e-mail addresses of three professional referees which must include either the Head of applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior officer at work and evidence of current remuneration package to IITA website.
IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from female candidates.
Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted