Sweetpotato Specialist for Malawi

Sweetpotato Specialist for Malawi (Ref:13-50 SS/IRS/SSA)

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a Sweetpotato Specialist to be based in Blantyre, Malawi.

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 CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.  The CIP Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) main regional office is in Nairobi, Kenya. CIP also has an existing office in 7 other SSA countries.

The Position: The Sweetpotato Specialist will be responsible for the execution of a going-to-scale with pro-vitamin A rich orange-fleshed sweetpotato project in Southern Malawi.  This will require having to manage a complex multi-disciplinary partnership with government and non-governmental implementation organizations.  The principal tasks and responsibilities comprise the following:

Duties and responsibilities:

• Plan, execute and report on time on quarterly and annual work plans consistent with project objectives.
• Ensure the production of high quality foundation planting material, in collaboration with the national program.
• Coordinate and participate as a trainer in an annual learning-by-doing trainer or trainers course.
• Work with development partners to engage in widespread dissemination of improved sweetpotato varieties
• Provide technical assistance to the national program, when requested and within the limits of available resources, in seed systems, variety development, and integrated sweetpotato management.
• Supervise thesis research and collaborating with national partner scientists, students, and farmers especially in sweetpotato crop management and post-harvest management studies.
• Writing communication materials targeted at a lay audience
• Participate in the implementation of the regional sweetpotato research and development activities approved for execution with the country and participate in national, regional and global fora as requested.

The successful Scientist will have:

• Ph.D. degree in breeding, agronomy, seed technology, virology, plant sciences, pathology or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of 2 years experience in tissue culture, screen house management and field management for multiplication and disease control of vegetatively-propagated crops.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in project or program management, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience in managing sweetpotato seed multiplication system preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Good working knowledge of Portuguese, French, or Chichewa would be preferred.
• Ability to work in an international agricultural research center, interacting with its staff and managing research programs in a variety of institutional and ecological settings.
• A good ability and demonstrated expertise to write, plan research, analyze data and complete timely reports.
• Good record of publications and citations.
• Aptitude for teamwork, leadership, training, and communications.
• Willingness to travel frequently and work under field conditions.

Conditions: The employment contract will be for a three-year term (with a three month probation period) with the possibility of renewal, subject to availability of funding. The salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. 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 cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, 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, copied to Jan Low (j.low@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 October 16, 2013 and will continue until the post is filled.

CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff.

Women and citizens of developing countries are particularly urged to apply.

To learn more about CIP please visit http://www.cipotato.org/