International Potato Center Administrative Assistant

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and responsible Administrative Assistant with excellent organizational skills to support the Global Programs Genetic Resources and Genomics & Biotechnology. Success factors for the position are: excellent communication skills, teamwork, ability to prioritize work, sound judgment and excellent technology skills, as well as initiative and positive attitude in a high energy and constantly changing environment.

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, 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 50 donor members.

The Global Programs Genetic Resources (GPGR) and Genomics & Biotechnology (G&B): The organization has over 40 years of interdisciplinary research experience, where the use of genetic resources is at the very heart of the operation providing the basis for evaluation, crop improvement, and value addition. The GPGR team plays a key role in understanding, evaluating and using the wild and cultivated genetic diversity of CIP’s genebank as well as mapping and documenting in-situ or on-farm agrobiodiversity. This involves the design and execution of laboratory, greenhouse, on-station and participatory research as well as work in partnership with diverse actors ranging from national agricultural programs, universities, indigenous organization to farmer communities. The G&B team makes use of advanced technologies and genomic approaches to discover genes and provide mandate crops with the traits needed to confront both biotic and biotic stresses.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Ensure the smooth operation of the Global Program Leaders office work by providing high levels of support.
• Ensure work priorities, procedures and administrative systems for the Global Programs office are followed appropriately with strong emphasis on quality.
• Track and monitor deliverables and deadline, sending reminders as needed.
• Manage the Global Program Leaders schedules; organizes and prepares relevant briefing or background material for meetings.
• Screens and prioritizes incoming correspondence and phone calls. Prepares communications with clients, stakeholder and partners.
• Establish and maintain relevant files and databases for the Global Programs office.

Selection Criteria:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communications skills; maturity and ability to interact responsively and tactfully with staff at all levels, with demonstrated good judgment and discretion.
• Proficient in MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint, MS Project, Endnotes.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to details, and demonstrated ability to multitask and judge priorities under tight deadlines.
• Self-development, initiative-taking.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work, facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team effectively
• Fluent in English and Spanish.
• Willingness to learn CIP’s policies, administrative processes and procedures.

Conditions: This position is local and thus limited to Peruvian nationals and permanent residents. The employment contract will be for a one-year term with six month probation period and the possibility of renewal. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of interest, a full C.V., and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: cip-recruitment@cgiar.org. The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin September 21 2012 and will continue until the post is filled.

All applications will be acknowledged, only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org