Ethiopia or Lebanon/Morocco: Scientist, Seed System Specialist

Feb 7, 2022 | International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
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The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.

ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org

All CGIAR Centers are currently engaged into a reform process (“One CGIAR’”) that will help ICARDA and CGIAR achieve better impact through more strategically integrated research, unified governance, an integrated structure and new research modalities across participating Research Centers. This transformation is supported by CGIAR donors who have committed to increased funding as a result of these reforms.  

Main purpose of position

ICARDA seeks a Scientist- Seed System Specialist to work as part of an interdisciplinary team to strengthen the seed systems in developing countries. He/she will also help in scaling out improved technologies of ICARDA’s breeding program mandated crops for achieving impact at scale.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with multidisciplinary projects and cross-cutting project teams and responsibilities as assigned by the Team Leader- Seed Systems, International Nurseries and Seed Health at ICARDA.

Location: The position will be based in Lebanon/Morocco or Ethiopia

Main responsibilities

The incumbent will organize, plan, deliver advice and program management support to strengthen national and regional seed systems in both the public and private sectors within the framework of the Research Delivery and Impact Division of one CGIAR.

In support of the objectives, the incumbent will

  • Identify and assess systemic challenges constraining the development of robust national and regional seed systems responding to effects of climate change and achieving food and nutritional security
  • Develop focused strategies to address the systemic challenges at national and regional levels through formulation of interventions for enabling policy environment, harmonization of regulatory frameworks, and public-private partnerships
  • Provide technical backstopping in the development of competitive and pluralistic seed system supporting formal seed sector (public, private), intermediate sector (development of SMEs) and ensure integration with informal seed sector
  • Formulate and implement projects in support of the seed sector in target countries with emphasis on fast-tracking variety development, testing and release systems linked to commercialization through awareness and demand creation and accelerated multiplication of EGS and certified seed to reach smallholder farmers to achieve impact at scale.
  • Contribute to strengthening the capacity of the seed value chain stakeholders at national, regional, and global levels
  • Contribute to monitoring and reporting systems that provide critical information to stakeholders at national, regional, and global levels on key issues affecting seed systems
  • Engage in networks for collaboration amongst specialists in CGIAR, governments and partners including the public and private sectors to promote awareness, program coordination, collaboration, and information exchange on seed sector development
  • Advise ICARDA on key issues of overall program performance and emerging trends that affect program direction
  • Represent ICARDA in international meetings on technical issues/challenges related to seed sector development
  • Share knowledge to expand the understanding of colleagues within the team and promote greater effectiveness in program design and delivery
  • Prepare analysis, case studies, reports, guidelines, publications, and presentations in support of program delivery
  • Analyze multi-environment data using a suite of software packages, prepare reports and draft manuscripts for publication in scientific journals.
  • Liaise with and support ICARDA breeding programs in implementing the activities and projects
  • Perform any other duties as required.

Requirements

  • Broad knowledge and experience in key components of the seed value chain including variety evaluation and release, seed production, seed quality assurance, and integrated seed system development.
  • Demonstrated experience working in national and regional seed sector development and in building public-private partnership.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in technical and socio-economic research on seed systems and proficiency in the use of statistical packages for data analysis.
  • At least five years’ experience in the seed sector preferably working in developing countries of Asia or Africa.
  • A proven record in research through peer-reviewed publications.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required; knowledge of Arabic or French would be an advantage.
  • Good inter-personal skills and an ability to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams in post-conflict regions.
  • Knowledge of the CWANA seed system and previous experience working with ICARDA is an advantage.

Education, qualifications, and experience

  • An earned PhD in seed science and technology, agriculture economics, plant breeding, plant sciences or closely related fields.
  • Broad knowledge and experience in technical procedures, institutional arrangements, regulatory frameworks, and national seed policy for the development of the sustainable seed system.
  • Broad knowledge and experience in key components of the seed value chain including variety evaluation and release, seed production, seed quality assurance, and integrated seed system development.
  • Demonstrated experience working in national and regional seed sector development and in building public-private partnership.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in technical and socio-economic research on seed systems and proficiency in the use of statistical packages for data analysis.
  • At least five years’ experience in the seed sector preferably working in developing countries of Asia or Africa.
  • A proven record in research through peer-reviewed publications.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required; knowledge of Arabic or French would be an advantage.
  • Good inter-personal skills and an ability to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams in post-conflict regions.
  • Knowledge of the CWANA seed system and previous experience working with ICARDA is an advantage.

Benefits

Terms of appointment, salary and benefits as per IRS requirements

This is an internationally recruited position for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package, including a competitive salary, housing allowance, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars.

The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable for a maximum of three years of which the first year will be probationary period. Possibility of the extension will be subject to merit and productivity of the staff, funding and continued need for the position.

ICARDA is committed to increasing women representation in its workforce and strongly encourages applications from women.

Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.