Leader, Information Management & Data Services / Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) Project

Job Category:	MasAgro
Position Title:	Leader, Information Management & Data Services / Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) Project
Type of Contract:	Internationally Recruited Staff
Location:	Mexico
Desired Skills:
Description:	We are seeking a dynamic scientist/manager with a strong background in agricultural research, information management and molecular-marker technologies to join our team working on the Seeds of Discovery (SeeD) project. SeeD is one of four components of the Mexico-funded MasAgro initiative and discovers/mobilizes novel genetic variation into maize and wheat breeding programs. The Information Management & Data Services project component enables and supports maize and wheat research and capacity-strengthening efforts by providing a strategic framework for managing, sharing and integrating information and knowledge generated by project participants. It encompasses oversight of a genetic-analysis service that generates standardized genetic data, the documentation and prioritization of user requirements for the development of informatics tools supporting the work of project scientists, the mining of project data to promote targeted use of genetic resources by the scientific community, and the design and management of a web portal and an intellectual-property strategy to share project data, knowledge and informatics tools. As such, the Leader must understand modern/emerging information and molecular-marker technologies as well as genetics, breeding and software-development principles and the role of these technologies and principles play in characterizing and using genetic resources for crop improvement. The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information:www.cimmyt.org The position will be based at CIMMYT’s Main Campus (located 45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico) but will interact with all CIMMYT´s experimental stations and Mexico-wide research and extension platforms on a regular basis. The primary objectives of this position are to: With input from colleagues, develop and implement a strategy to establish efficient information and knowledge-management practices to enable information integration across project components and to enhance the project’s scientific and applied outcomes and impacts. Act as a bridge between scientists/clients and software developers to gather user requirements for software tools needed to implement the strategy. Consolidate and prioritize requirements to assure that project milestones are met in a timely and strategic manner, seek input from branding experts and website designers, and work with software developers to establish a requirement-implementation plan. Evaluate newly developed software tools, to be deployed for testing by project scientists, for consistency and alignment with the project’s information and knowledge-management practices. Maintain oversight of a genetic-analysis service and strengthen its portfolio by implementing value-adding data-analysis, decision-support and breeding-informatics services. Take charge of the scientific content of the SeeD web portal. Work with project colleagues and communications specialists to release data and tools on the portal in accordance with CIMMYT’s data-management procedures, to target messages to intended audiences, to moderate portal-user groups, and to promote data mining by project clients. Develop original strategies that incentivize portal users to upload their own data and identify opportunities to link the portal to other online resources and databases. Contribute to scientific publications, prepare donor reports, and assist the project leader in other matters if/when required. We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications: PhD in genetics or molecular breeding and a passion for genetic resources and their use in agriculture. Five to ten years of leadership experience in large, multidisciplinary research projects dealing with the use of molecular-marker technologies for breeding and genetic-resources characterization, encompassing postings in and outside of Latin America. Proven experience in designing and implementing large-scale strategies and protocols for the handling and analysis of complex, multi-structured agricultural data sets. Proven experience with state-of-the art methodologies and tools to capture, categorize, and document user requirements for software tools, with a focus on graphical user interfaces, websites and web portals. Familiarity with high-density genotyping platforms and the management and analysis of large-scale genotypic data. Excellent written and verbal-communication skills in both Spanish and English, including the ability to deliver effective presentations and to effectively moderate meetings in both languages. A high degree of personal organization and ability to multi-task and to work under pressure. Experience with public-private partnerships and familiarity with the Mexican research scene would be added advantages. We will offer an initial contract for 3 years, which may be renewable subject to continued need and funding for the position and performance of the staff member. Our internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment. CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women and Mexican Nationals are encouraged to apply. To apply, email cover letter and CV no later than Thursday, 25 April, 2013 to Human Resources, CIMMYT  (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please insert Position Reference number: 12287 in the subject of your email) Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. For further information on the selection process, please contact Guillermo Flores atg.flores@cgiar.org