POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – EXTERNAL
Research Associate – Potato Breeding – Vacancy Number: A/043/15
International Potato Center – Ethiopia (CIP)
24 November 2015
The International Potato Center – Ethiopia (CIP) seeks to recruit a Research Associate – Potato Breeding to its Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Breeding Program who will also be member of CIP Ethiopia Office.
The Center: The International Potato Centre (CIP) is an international non-profit agricultural research organization with a global mandate to conduct research on potatoes, sweet potatoes, Andean root and tuber crops, and sustainable management of natural resources. CIP’s vision is to contribute from its areas of expertise to the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular those goals that relate to poverty, hunger, child and maternal mortality, and sustainable development. CIP has its headquarters in Lima, Peru with staff and activities in locations across Africa, Asia and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 60 donor members.
Main Responsibilities:
- Assists in breeding of high yielding, stress tolerant, nutrient dense potato cultivars to the resource-poor farmers in SSA, in active collaboration with the existing research systems in Ethiopia;
- Conducts the development and execution of screen-house and field-based research to develop potato populations and advanced clones through clonal breeding;
- Assists in the designing and implements crossing block, tuber family generation, clonal selection and field experiments including nursery and trial planting material preparation, and management.
- Assists in selecting best families and clones from different types of crosses, improves population, conducts across location trials and maintain progenitors and breeding stocks;
- Distributes germplasm to partners and maintains record of distribution in the region;
- Analyses data using appropriate software, prepares field book using data collector, stacks data and imports into CIP data management system;
- Supports national program staff and students in field trial management, data management and analysis;
- Assists in documentation of germplasm evaluation, publication of research findings and preparation of report;
- Perform other duties as required.
Skills and Competencies:
- Applied knowledge in crop breeding and genetics, experimental design, crossing, screen house nursery and field trial management;
- Excellent knowledge of data management and statistical software programs;
- Experience or good knowledge of working screen house, tissue-culture laboratories, aeroponics or hydroponics in terms of construction, technical maintenance and crop management;
- Demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships in research or project implementation;
- Excellent social skills, collaborative style, and ability to multi-task effectively;
- Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required;
- Willingness to travel within the country;
- Ability to write scientific publications.
Education:
- At least a relevant Master of Science degree or a relevant BSc degree plus a relevant post graduate qualification.
- CGIAR and potato work experience are strong plus.
Experience:
- At least 2 years of relevant work experience in crop improvement research preferably with clonally propagated crops or potatoes.
Duty Station: Addis Ababa
Grade: 2D
Minimum Base: Birr 19,078.00 (Negotiable depending on experience, skill and salary history of the candidate).
Terms of appointment: This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position, initial appointment is fixed term for one year with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. The ILRI remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc.
The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. Dining and sports facilities are located on site.
Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and respective reference number: REF: A/043/15 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 05 December 2015. We do not encourage CVs and credentials to be mailed to our postal address.
To find more about CIP, visit our Website at http://cipotato.org/
Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.