IITA Job for Seed Scientist (SARD-SC)

IITA is an international non-profit agricultural
research-for-development (R4D) organization established in 1967,
governed by a Board of Trustees, and a member of the CGIAR Consortium.
Our R4D approach is anchored on the development needs of the tropics. We
work with partners to
enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce
producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. We
have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35
countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations
across Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position of:

Job Title: Seed Scientist (SARD-SC)

Ref No: DDG-R4D/SS/SARD-SC/09/15
Location: Abuja, Nigeria

Background

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Engage in mobilizing resources to further expand dissemination coverage of improved maize cultivars.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Educational Qualifications

• The candidate should have an M.Sc in Plant Science/Seed Science
  with several years of experience in seed systems or a PhD with some
  experience in seed systems.

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

• 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.

How to Apply

Interested 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.

Click here to apply online

Click here for more information

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline: 2nd October, 2015.