NGO JOBS

Organization: International Potato Center
Country: Malawi
Closing date: 16 Oct 2013

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a Sweetpotato Specialist to be based inBlantyre, Malawi.

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-developmentorganization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision isof roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving foodsecurity, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farmingand food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high qualityscience, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions.CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia,Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a globalagriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundredsof partner organizations. The CIP Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) main regional office is inNairobi, Kenya. CIP also has an existing office in 7 other SSA countries.

The Position: The Sweetpotato Specialist will be responsible for the execution of a going-toscalewith pro-vitamin A rich orange-fleshed sweetpotato project in Southern Malawi. Thiswill require having to manage a complex multi-disciplinary partnership with government andnon-governmental implementation organizations. The principal tasks and responsibilitiescomprise the following:

Duties and responsibilities:

· Plan, execute and report on time on quarterly and annual work plans consistent withproject objectives.· Ensure the production of high quality foundation planting material, in collaborationwith the national program.· Coordinate and participate as a trainer in an annual learning-by-doing trainer ortrainers course.· Work with development partners to engage in widespread dissemination of improvedsweetpotato varieties· Provide technical assistance to the national program, when requested and within thelimits of available resources, in seed systems, variety development, and integratedsweetpotato management.· Supervise thesis research and collaborating with national partner scientists, students,and farmers especially in sweetpotato crop management and post-harvestmanagement studies.· Writing communication materials targeted at a lay audience· Participate in the implementation of the regional sweetpotato research anddevelopment activities approved for execution with the country and participate innational, regional and global fora as requested.

The successful Scientist will have:

· Ph.D. degree in breeding, agronomy, seed technology, virology, plant sciences,pathology or a closely related discipline.· A minimum of 2 years experience in tissue culture, screen house management andfield management for multiplication and disease control of vegetatively-propagatedcrops.· A minimum of 3 years’ experience in project or program management, preferably inSub-Saharan Africa· Experience in managing sweetpotato seed multiplication system preferred.Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Goodworking knowledge of Portuguese, French, or Chichewa would be preferred.· Ability to work in an international agricultural research center, interacting with its staffand managing research programs in a variety of institutional and ecological settings.· A good ability and demonstrated expertise to write, plan research, analyze data andcomplete timely reports.· Good record of publications and citations.· Aptitude for teamwork, leadership, training, and communications.· Willingness to travel frequently and work under field conditions.

Conditions: The employment contract will be for a three-year term (with a three monthprobation period) with the possibility of renewal, subject to availability of funding. The salarywill be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience.CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space forpersonal and professional growth.

How to apply:

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing theirrelevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of threereferees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and workexperience to cip-recruitment@cgiar.org, copied to Jan Low (j.low@cgiar.org). Thereference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the emailmessage. Screening of applications will begin on October 16, 2013 and will continue untilthe post is filled.

CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff.Women and citizens of developing countries are particularly urged to apply.To learn more about CIP please visit http://www.cipotato.org/