CIMMYT Deputy Leader, Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) – Manager of partnerships and capacity building

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is seeking a dynamic scientist/manager with a strong background in agricultural research and molecular-marker technologies to join the SeeD team as Deputy Leader. The Deputy will act as spokesperson and right hand to the SeeD Project Leader in all responsibilities, with a particular emphasis on managing relationships with research partners, including the establishment of a genetic-analysis service through a public-private partnership, and coordinating project-related capacity-strengthening efforts.

Main Responsibilities:

• Seek and build research partnerships and communicate the SeeD science strategy to partners and clients to seek their feedback and input.
• Manage the institutional and administrative aspects of a genetic-analysis service that is being established in Mexico in collaboration with private and public partners.
• Identify needs and opportunities for capacity strengthening amongst partners and work with CIMMYT’s training office to coordinate training efforts.
• Collaborate with a communication specialist to develop audiovisuals and articles about SeeD.
• Assist the Project Lead in any other matters if/when required.

Skills and experience sought:

• PhD in genetics or a similar, pertinent field of expertise, and a passion for genetic resources and their use in agriculture.
• Leadership experience in complex, multidisciplinary research projects. Good social and communication skills.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations and to effectively moderate meetings.
• Familiarity with the agricultural research scene in Mexico.
• Experience or at least familiarity with high-density genotyping platforms, applicable software tools, and breeding operations.
• Excellent written and verbal-communication skills in both Spanish and English.
• A high degree of personal organization and ability to multi-task and to work under pressure.
• Experience with public-private partnerships would be an added advantage.

MasAgro is a Mexican Government-funded initiative to revitalize agriculture in Mexico. MasAgro integrates the characterization of genetic resources, molecular breeding programs and agronomic interventions into an impact-oriented R&D program. The Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) component of MasAgro explores and facilitates the use of maize and wheat genetic resources in breeding programs to meet the challenges of agriculture vis-à-vis a changing climate, growing populations, and increasingly costly agricultural inputs. This is achieved by identifying, developing and providing well-characterized germplasm accessions and parental germplasm, alongside tools and services that facilitate their uptake and use in breeding programs. We believe MasAgro is one of the most important and exciting initiatives in agricultural research worldwide.

CIMMYT (www.cimmyt.org) is an international agricultural research institute based in Mexico coordinates MasAgro and SeeD. With almost fifty years of history in delivering research products, CIMMYT is a leader in bringing improved maize and wheat varieties and agronomic practices to developing countries. CIMMYT, particularly its most famous alumnus Dr. Norman Borlaug, was at the forefront of the last Green Revolution, and is now spearheading another. CIMMYT has an annual budget of US$120 million and employs approximately 800 staff, including over 100 internationally recruited staff.

CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (for pre-school, elementary, secondary, and other pre-university grade levels), home leave, retirement fund, and relocation shipping assistance.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Women are encouraged to apply.

Apply online no later than September 16^th, 2012.

At www.cimmyt.org, click on “About us – Job Opportunities- Position” - 2012-40 Please complete the online application, including your cover letter, competencies and experience for the position, and a detailed CV/resume.

For further information, contact Dr. Peter Wenzl, SeeD Project Leader, p.wenzl@cgiar.org or the Human Resources Office, jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.