CIAT Research Associate – Seed Systems - S34D Project - Jobs in Kenya
CIAT Research Associate – Seed Systems - S34D Project - Jobs in Kenya
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) – a member of the CGIAR Consortium – develops technologies, innovative methods, and new knowledge that better enable farmers, especially smallholders, to make agriculture competitive and profitable as well as sustainable and resilient.
CIAT conducts research for development in tropical regions of Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
CIAT’s Pan-African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) is Africa’s largest network of bean experts spanning 31 countries.
Members of the network are responsible for breeding, evaluating, disseminating and safeguarding Africa’s largest collection of beans.
Project Information:
The goal of Supporting Seed Systems for Development (S34D) Project is to enhance farmers’ access to a full range of seed choices and options to maximize their responsive decision making and planning for production. The Project seeks to improve functioning of national seed sector in Feed the Future countries and in countries with resilience
and emergency seed security programs.
To deliver on this strategy, the S34D team seeks an agricultural/seed system specialist to backstop the work of the Humanitarian work of the project.
Position Summary:
The Research Associate – Seed Systems (S34D Project) will work closely with the Emergency and Resilience Seeds Systems Advisor and an array of consortium partners (under S34D) to; effect diagnostic analyses of seed and
related input supply systems within target geographies (including of informal and integrated systems), build the capacity of project staff in working on seed and input supply systems, support project activities and monitor project performance.
He/she will explore innovative ways to enable farmers to access high quality inputs and work with partners in the public and private sector to ensure that humanitarian activities have optimum effectiveness and that farmers in stress areas, even at the Last Mile, have access to new varieties, high quality
seed, and the information needed to make informed choices about crop and variety-specific decisions.
Main duties and responsibilities include:
Co- provide technical oversight to the humanitarian and seed-related response with a focus on seed and input supply systems linked to emergency and chronic stress areas.
Support innovative ways to develop new business models and financial methods that enable formal and informal private sector seed producers to extend their markets even to the Last Mile users.
Help develop ‘test’ approaches for chronic stress areas to sell seed and related inputs.
Provide regular monitoring visits to the field and support implementing partners to effect high quality work.
Conduct targeted and possible multi-country desk-based and field evaluations centered on the project themes outlined above.
Maintain and extend relationships with key stakeholders including National and regional Government ministries, public and private sector seed related actors, research institutions/universities, and private sector
partners in formal, informal and integrated operations.
Co-develop learning agenda on response approaches and how they may bolster resilience
Co-maintain key data bases linked to seed production, delivery, and use (gender-disaggregated) in close cooperation with S34D’s MEAL unit and activities.
Facilitate and help collect data on performance indicators and targets, and help synthesize reporting results.
International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
Recruiting Research Associate – Seed Systems (S34D Project)
Provide technical input and contribute to seed and input system’s learning agenda including publications.
Help represent S34D humanitarian and other (emergency non-emergency) work.
Support general work of S34D humanitarian, chronic stress and climate-smart activities approved in the S34D proposal.
Qualifications, skills and competencies:
Master's degree in agriculture or related field required.
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience working on agricultural production, food security and business-related systems, with at least 3 years of technical experience implementing seed and input supply systems in developing countries.
Proven knowledge/experience working in formal, informal and integrated seed systems
Specific technical expertise in seed and input supply industry, seed system development, seed and agriculture policy.
At least 3 years practical field experience aiming to solve farmer organization, farmer’s access to agricultural
technologies, agri-business development.
Experience working in Africa (several countries, including FtF) essential; experience in Asia, Latin America and/or the Caribbean a plus
Demonstrated ability to facilitate and motivate teams.
Demonstrated training and presentation ability
Capacity to work closely with, understand, and support consortium members.
Proven experience in effective communications with multi-stakeholders.
Proven field research, qualitative and quantitative management skills. GIS competency a plus
Excellent English oral and written communication skills; Professional proficiency in a second language a plus
Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, and multi-cultural environment.
Terms of employment:
The position is nationally recruited and based at the CIAT Africa Regional Offices in Nairobi, Kenya.
The contract will be for a two-year period, subject to probation period of three (3) months, renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.
CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits; we believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. CIAT is an equal opportunity employer, and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
How to apply:
Applicants are invited to visit our online website to get full details of the position and to submit their applications.
Applications should include the Ref: AO-2178-Research Associate – Seed Systems (S34D Project) as the position applied for. Applications should be saved as one document using the candidate’s lastname,
firstname for ease of sorting.
NB: CIAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). CIAT also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applications closing date: 17th October 2018
Please note that email applications will not be considered.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted
For more information and job application details, see; CIAT Research Associate – Seed Systems - S34D Project - Jobs in Kenya
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