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Advisor on Agricultural Services and Seed Sector Development

The Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) in Amsterdam is a centre of expertise for sustainable economic development, gender, health care and intercultural communication. We carry out research and provide advisory services and training in order to build and share knowledge on a wide range of development issues. Our focus on both policy and practice is key to our approach to development. We bring experience and translate initiatives from the field to the policy debate and we help bring theory into practice. We navigate and stimulate interactions between global, national and local levels of interventions.
The Sustainable Economic Development and Gender unit aims to improve the performance of organisations and companies pursuing sustainable development in low- and medium income countries (LMIC). Our key areas of expertise include sustainable value chains, food security, gender equity, and agricultural service delivery. Our work comprises organisational performance, impact evaluation, project support facilities, research, documentation and training. To strengthen the team we are looking for an:
Advisor on Agricultural Services and Seed Sector Development
(for an average of 38 hours per week)
Main responsibilities
The team works mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa at national and sub-national level on issues related to improving service delivery in agriculture and facilitating innovation for improved market access and food security. As the team is increasingly involved in Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa, we specifically seek a candidate with seed sector development experience.

The candidate will be affiliated for 30% of his/her time to Access to Seeds Index, where he/she will work on research projects. In this role, he/she will report to the executive director, investigate the 'seed' market on several technical areas and assure the quality of the investigations and their results. Besides developing and securing the quality of the ATS Index he/she will communicate with the ATS governance bodies and represent results to larger, external audiences.
In the role as KIT Advisor, the candidate will be expected to:
  • Conduct short-term advisory missions in the fields of agricultural advisory services, agricultural research and seed sector development.
  • Conduct action-research, supervise case studies with local partners and write accessible publications.
  • Develop methodologies, tools and training material and conduct short-term training workshops.
  • Design and facilitate learning and coaching trajectories to strengthen the capacity of actors in rural innovation in general, and seed sector development in particular.
  • Contribute to writing project proposals and liaise with financiers and partners to support project acquisition.
Additional information
The initial appointment is for one year, subject to renewal. KIT values a diverse and international workforce. Non-Dutch applicants are encouraged to apply.
We ask
  • At least an MSc degree in a relevant agricultural discipline. A combination with an extension education or communication background is appreciated
  • Knowledge of genetic resources & intellectual property
  • Knowledge and experience with seed sector development and agricultural advisory services
  • Experience in acquisition of new projects and a relevant international networks
  • A minimum of 6 years of professional experience of which at least 3 years in LMIC
  • Experience in facilitation, training, advisory work and intercultural communication
  • A proven scientific and applied publication track record
  • Excellent communication skills in both verbal and written English. Knowledge of French, Portuguese and/or Spanish is an advantage.
  • A team player able to work independently and in multicultural teams.

We offer
The salary, based on age, qualifications and experience, is between EU3.428,- and EU5.354,- gross per month for a 38-hour working week. In addition, there is an 8% holiday allowance, admission to the KIT pension fund (ABP) and opportunities for training and personal development. For applicants from abroad, there is the possibility of a temporary housing allowance and a moving allowance. The document International Staff at KIT is available on request.

Information
For further information about this position, please contact Dr. B. de Steenhuijsen Piters, Head of Sustainable Economic Development, tel. +31 (0)20 5688 285 or by e-mail:b.d.steenhuijsen.piters@kit.nl. General information about KIT and its departments can be found on: www.kit.nl

Applications
Applications specifying abilities and interest for this position including a curriculum vitae with references should be submitted - before September 29, 2014, to KIT.
Click here for the Application form

Acquisition based on this announcement is not appreciated.