Assistant Plant Breeder to support CIP’s sweetpotato and yam bean/Ahipa work in East and Central Africa (ECA)

Ref:13-07 APB/RRS/SSA

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an Assistant Plant Breeder to support CIP’s sweetpotato and yam bean/Ahipa work in East and Central Africa (ECA).

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research organization with a global mandate to conduct research on genetic resources of potatoes, sweetpotatoes, and other Andean roots and tubers, crop genetic enhancement and improvement, integrated crop management 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 Alliance of the CGIAR Centers, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 60 donor members.

Position Description: The Assistant Plant Breeder with regional responsibilities will be based at the Kampala, Uganda CIP Office with Namulonge as the main field station. The principal tasks and responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following:

• Assist in the coordination and implementation of the sweetpotato population breeding activities for East and Central Africa (ECA)
• Coordinate implementation of the yam bean (Pachyrhizus spp.)/Ahipa project in East and Central Africa (ECA)
• Conduct nutritional quality sweetpotato breeding  and yam bean analysis
• Facilitate yam bean and sweetpotato germplasm exchange in ECA
• Organize different stakeholder meetings
• Organize and facilitate trainings for NARS partners on sweetpotato breeding and yam bean
• Work under the supervision of the breeder/project leader, in collaboration with  national programs and other partners in ECA to  conduct on-station and on-farm sweetpotato trials, collect, analyze and interpret research trial data, and write reports and related documents

Selection Criteria:

The successful candidate will have:

• PhD Degree in Plant Breeding or Genetics or Molecular breeding with at least two years’ experience in field research;
• Expertise in experimental design related to breeding trials, data collection, analysis, interpretation and report writing
• Aptitude for team work, excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of French preferred.
• Familiarity with producing vegetatively propagated crops; knowledge of sweetpotato and Ahipa will be an advantage.
• Willing to travel extensively within the region

Conditions: The employment contract will be for a two-year term with the possibility of renewal. CIP provides additional benefits, including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance. 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 motivation, day-time phone number, a full C.V., copies of relevant certificates, and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to Martha Ameru (m.ameru@cigar.org), Naomi Zani (n.zani@cgiar.org), copied to Robert Mwanga (r.mwanga@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 on 28 February 2013 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; only short listed candidates will be contacted.