International Maize and Wheat Improvement Jobs in South Africa

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Excellence in Breeding Platform’s NARS Coordinator Jobs in South Africa

The Excellence in Breeding Platform (www.excellenceinbreeding.org) is a new cross-commodity platform that supports the modernization of breeding programs targeting Africa, Asia, and Latin America for greater impact on food and nutrition security, climate change adaptation and development.

The platform is part of the new CGIAR portfolio of research programs and platforms (www.cgiar.org/our-strategy), and being led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. (www.cimmyt.org).

Responsibilities

Develop an effective support to key national breeding teams, and helping them in implementing plans to deliver higher rates of genetic gains targeted at smallholder farmers.

Support national breeding teams in 4-5 countries implementing an end-to-end internal breeding pipeline optimization review to identify improvement strategies to be supported by the Platform.

Together with these partners, develop and implement improvement plans. Areas of focus may include: definition of product profiles, breeding scheme optimization, use of genotyping, automation, mechanization, use of appropriate breeding software, links with seed producers.

Develop a framework for scaling up support to national partners in modernizing breeding approaches that are aligned with program objectives, best practices and resource levels.

In collaboration with

other Platform staff, seek solutions to common challenges on the ground in these countries.

Prepare training strategy and materials; lead hands-on training and mentorship activities.

Contribute to annual and multi-year work plan development, execution and reporting, and manage associated budgets.

Requirements

MSc or PhD in Plant breeding, Genetics or a related field.

A very good understanding of how NARS breeding programs operate. A minimum of 10 years of experience working in a NARS, CGIAR or private sector breeding organization.

The ability to work collaboratively in different cultural and institutional settings, yet also represent the Platform to the NARS leadership level.

Ability to develop and deliver a compelling scientific, political and business case for reallocation of (limited) resources to facilitate implementation of new approaches or technologies into the breeding pipeline.

Ability to conceptualize breeding program challenges; to seek and implement applied and effective solutions in conditions with limited resource levels.

Experience in facilitating and motivating inter-disciplinary team contributions, and build consensus. The ability to promote discussion and understand the EiB client’s needs, challenges and opportunities.

Very good written and oral communication skills in English. Good presentation skills.

HOW TO APPLY:
For further information on the selection process, please contact Dave Jensen, at davejensen@careertrax.com(928) 282-5366 Office (928) 274-2266 Cell (Preferred) or Linda Todten lindatodten@careertrax.com (928) 282-5366 Office