Manager/Specialist Crop Development
HarvestPlus is an interdisciplinary, global alliance of more than 200 scientific and implementation
partners in over 40 countries that seeks to reduce hidden hunger and provide micronutrients to
billions of people directly through the staple foods that they eat. We use a novel process called
biofortification, based on plant breeding, to achieve higher levels of micronutrients in high-yielding,
high-profit varieties of key staple foods.
HarvestPlus is a joint venture between two CGIAR Centers, the International Center for Tropical
Agriculture (CIAT) based in Cali, Colombia and the International Food Policy Research Institute
(IFPRI) based in Washington, D.C. Both Institutions are committed to reduce hunger and poverty
around the world through their research activities.
HarvestPlus has established a crop development research network for the world’s major stables.
CGIAR centers form the nexus of development of biofortified crops, and with public/private sector
NARES, NGOs and research institutions make up a research alliance that conducts tactical and
strategic breeding and performance testing in target countries, related plant science/agronomy
research and the development of enabling technologies. HarvestPlus is recruiting a highly
motivated and skilled Manager Crop Development / Crop Development Specialist to manage
product development. The position will be based at CIAT in Cali, Colombia.
Role and responsibilities
Provide overall leadership in biofortified crop development to achieve technological, crop
improvement and commercial project goals: generating biofortified germplasm products without
compromising agronomic performance and nutrition/end-use quality and assist in guiding the
design and delivery of the technology to undernourished people.
• Manage the HarvestPlus crop development research network and establish research capacity
in particular in Africa and Asia for rice, wheat, maize, cassava, bean and pearl millet.
• Develop strategy and develop and implement product concepts/product development and
delivery plans.
• Manage a portfolio of ∼40 projects/contracts involving ∼100 scientists in >20 countries;
provide technical oversight for crop improvement component for China, Brazil, and India
Country Programs. Assess progress, synthesize findings; internal/external reporting.
• Integrate human nutrition, socio-economic functions and in-target-country product delivery
with crop improvement and interact closely with the Manager Biotechnology in developing
strategies for use of full range of genetic tools.
• For the Manager Crop Development position: as member of the Program Management Team
(PMT) participate in program strategy development, implementation, and resource
allocation; interact with Program Advisory Committee; outreach/networking within
agriculture/plant research communities and participate in fund-raising.
Requirements
• PhD degree, with specialization in plant breeding or related discipline.
• Working experience:
o Manager Crop Development position: 10 – 15 years working experience with
experience in project leadership and track-record in crop product development.
o Crop Development Specialist position: a minimum of 5 years of experience in applied
crop improvement.
• Exceptional drive and entrepreneurship, a pronounced ability to motivate others and to build
partnerships in different cultural contexts.
• Strong end-product focus and ability to deliver.
• Decisive, problem-solver with strong analytical abilities.
• Good interpersonal communication skills, writing ability and administrative skills; and
capable of communicating effectively with researchers in the fields of agriculture, nutrition,
and health.
• Agree to intensive international travel.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
Desirable:
• Working experience at a CG-Center and/or a private sector company.
• Working experience in developing countries.
• Basic command of Spanish and/or French.
Terms of employment
The contract will be initially for a two or three-year period, depending on experience and
qualification.
We offer a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent
benefits. We believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. Women and
developing country professionals are encouraged to apply.
Applications
Applicants should apply by e-mail, including a cover letter, a full C.V. and the names and contact
information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and
work experience.
Applications should be sent to Catalina Montoya (C.m.ruiz@cgiar.org) at the Human Resources
Office at CIAT. All applications will be acknowledged, only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Closing date for applications: August 15, 2011 with extension until the position is filled
We invite you to learn more about HarvestPlus and CIAT by accessing the websites
www.harvestplus.org and www.ciat.cgiar.org respectively.
partners in over 40 countries that seeks to reduce hidden hunger and provide micronutrients to
billions of people directly through the staple foods that they eat. We use a novel process called
biofortification, based on plant breeding, to achieve higher levels of micronutrients in high-yielding,
high-profit varieties of key staple foods.
HarvestPlus is a joint venture between two CGIAR Centers, the International Center for Tropical
Agriculture (CIAT) based in Cali, Colombia and the International Food Policy Research Institute
(IFPRI) based in Washington, D.C. Both Institutions are committed to reduce hunger and poverty
around the world through their research activities.
HarvestPlus has established a crop development research network for the world’s major stables.
CGIAR centers form the nexus of development of biofortified crops, and with public/private sector
NARES, NGOs and research institutions make up a research alliance that conducts tactical and
strategic breeding and performance testing in target countries, related plant science/agronomy
research and the development of enabling technologies. HarvestPlus is recruiting a highly
motivated and skilled Manager Crop Development / Crop Development Specialist to manage
product development. The position will be based at CIAT in Cali, Colombia.
Role and responsibilities
Provide overall leadership in biofortified crop development to achieve technological, crop
improvement and commercial project goals: generating biofortified germplasm products without
compromising agronomic performance and nutrition/end-use quality and assist in guiding the
design and delivery of the technology to undernourished people.
• Manage the HarvestPlus crop development research network and establish research capacity
in particular in Africa and Asia for rice, wheat, maize, cassava, bean and pearl millet.
• Develop strategy and develop and implement product concepts/product development and
delivery plans.
• Manage a portfolio of ∼40 projects/contracts involving ∼100 scientists in >20 countries;
provide technical oversight for crop improvement component for China, Brazil, and India
Country Programs. Assess progress, synthesize findings; internal/external reporting.
• Integrate human nutrition, socio-economic functions and in-target-country product delivery
with crop improvement and interact closely with the Manager Biotechnology in developing
strategies for use of full range of genetic tools.
• For the Manager Crop Development position: as member of the Program Management Team
(PMT) participate in program strategy development, implementation, and resource
allocation; interact with Program Advisory Committee; outreach/networking within
agriculture/plant research communities and participate in fund-raising.
Requirements
• PhD degree, with specialization in plant breeding or related discipline.
• Working experience:
o Manager Crop Development position: 10 – 15 years working experience with
experience in project leadership and track-record in crop product development.
o Crop Development Specialist position: a minimum of 5 years of experience in applied
crop improvement.
• Exceptional drive and entrepreneurship, a pronounced ability to motivate others and to build
partnerships in different cultural contexts.
• Strong end-product focus and ability to deliver.
• Decisive, problem-solver with strong analytical abilities.
• Good interpersonal communication skills, writing ability and administrative skills; and
capable of communicating effectively with researchers in the fields of agriculture, nutrition,
and health.
• Agree to intensive international travel.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
Desirable:
• Working experience at a CG-Center and/or a private sector company.
• Working experience in developing countries.
• Basic command of Spanish and/or French.
Terms of employment
The contract will be initially for a two or three-year period, depending on experience and
qualification.
We offer a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent
benefits. We believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. Women and
developing country professionals are encouraged to apply.
Applications
Applicants should apply by e-mail, including a cover letter, a full C.V. and the names and contact
information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and
work experience.
Applications should be sent to Catalina Montoya (C.m.ruiz@cgiar.org) at the Human Resources
Office at CIAT. All applications will be acknowledged, only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Closing date for applications: August 15, 2011 with extension until the position is filled
We invite you to learn more about HarvestPlus and CIAT by accessing the websites
www.harvestplus.org and www.ciat.cgiar.org respectively.
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