Sweetpotato Breeder Senior Scientist (2024-41)

CGIAR System Organization; Montpellier; Sur place; USD 70 000 - 100 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading organization in agricultural research seeks a Senior Scientist to establish a sweetpotato breeding program in West Africa. The role involves strategic planning, coordination of breeding networks, and collaboration with local partners to enhance agricultural outcomes. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in plant breeding, extensive experience in crop sciences, and leadership capabilities.

Prestations

Internationally competitive salary

Internationally competitive pension and health plans

3-year contract with possibility of renewal

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years experience in crop breeding.
• International experience with breeding programs preferred.
• Strong leadership and effective communication skills required.

Responsabilités

• Lead and manage sweetpotato breeding programs.
• Conduct genetic analysis and utilize modern breeding techniques.
• Mentor and train junior scientists in breeding methodologies.

Connaissances

Leadership

Communication

Team Management

Formation

PhD in Plant Breeding or Crop Sciences

Description du poste

The InternationalPotato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit an energetic and results-oriented SeniorScientist to establish a sweetpotato breeding program and oversee the breedingactivities in West Africa.

About CIP: CIP is part of theCGIAR global research partnership committed to transforming food, land, andwater systems in a climate crisis. CIP’s mission is to develop and sharescience-based innovations in potato, sweetpotato, and other root and tubercrops. CIP partners with organizations in over 20 countries in Africa, Asia,and Latin America to strengthen agri-food systems and provide economic, social,and nutritional benefits, especially for women and youth. We integrate socialand biophysical sciences to address complex challenges in food and agriculture.For more information, please visit https://cipotato.org/about/ .

Theposition: The selected candidate willdevelop and implement a sweetpotato breeding program andcoordinating a breeding network aimed at catering the west Africa sweetpotatomarket segments. The selected candidate will work closely with local partnerorganizations including CGIAR and NARES institutions, as well as other partnersto establish a crossing and evaluation program aiming at the delivery ofsuperior varieties able to support rapid adoption rates by farmers. TheSweetpotato Breeder Senior Scientist will be based in Nigeria where she/he willestablish the program and the breeding network. The incumbent will function asa member of the CIP global breeding team and report to the Leader of CropImprovement and co-report to the Africa breeding lead.

KeyResponsibilities:

Science leadership

• Leadand manage sweetpotato breeding programs, focusing on developing high-yielding,disease-resistant, and climate-resilient varieties.
  
• Collaboratewith local and international research institutions, farmers, and stakeholdersto ensure the adoption of new varieties.
  
• Conductgenetic analysis and utilize modern breeding techniques, includingmarker-assisted selection and genomic tools.
  
• Collect,analyze, and interpret data to inform breeding decisions and strategies.
  
• Publishresearch findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at scientificconferences.
  
• Mentorand train junior scientists, technicians, and students in sweetpotato breedingtechniques and methodologies.
  
• Collaborateclosely with CIP social scientists, economists and gender specialists’ teams toensure the update and refinement of Product Profiles and Market Segmentsserved.
  
• Maintainupdated estimates of genetic gains.
  
• Representthe sweetpotato breeding program in both internal and external meetings, andpromote the visibility of progress and success through active engagement withthe communications team
  

Strategic Planning & Management

• Establishand coordinate West Africa sweetpotato breeding network.
  
• Coordinatethe yearly planning process and revision of the breeding pipelines.
  
• Identifyand guide the development of concept notes and research ideas for resourcemobilization purposes.
  
• Supportand contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation ofthe partners annual workplans and budgets of the funded activities.
  
• Facilitatecollaborative research among/within NARS in SSA.
  
• Buildinglinkages among multiple partners including NARS, NGOs, seedcompanies/associations and policy makers to ensure a vibrant and responsivebreeding program.
  
• Managesthe sweetpotato breeding budget and the budget allocation process.
  
  

Requirements

• PhD degree in Plant Breeding or other CropSciences with minimum of 10-year experience of active crop breeding with anexcellent understanding of the role of breeding in sustainable agriculturaldevelopment, food and nutrition security and inclusive economic development.
  
• International experience of 8 years’experience of active work in breeding programs. Previous experience in clonalcrop breeding in Africa would be considered a plus.
  
• Ability to lead and develop multidisciplinaryteams, communicate a common vision among diverse partners and effectively workwith diverse stakeholders including senior government officials.
  
• Extensiveknowledge in variety release processes.
  

Skills:

• Strong and effective leadership skills.
  
• Demonstrated success in managingmulti-disciplinary teams and partnerships and attracting funding.
  
• Able to communicate effectively, both orallyand in writing. Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of other locallanguage is an asset.
  
• Exciting career opportunity in aninternational, well renowned organization with a track record of success andaccomplishments.
  
• 3-year contract with possibility ofrenewal.
  
• Internationally competitive salary, paid in USdollars, and commensurate with experience. Internationally competitive pensionand health plans.