RFP300421 Senior Research Associate Seed Systems Agronomy- Harare Zimbabwe
RFP300421 Senior Research Associate Seed Systems Agronomy- Harare Zimbabwe
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Job Description
The Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT delivers researchbased solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crisis of malnutrition climate change biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
The Alliance works with local national and multinational partners across Sub Saharan Africa Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia and with public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR a global research partnership for a foodsecure future dedicated to reducing poverty enhancing food and nutrition security and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.
IFPRIHarvestPlus is a program of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). IFPRI is one of the CGIAR centers a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. IFPRIHarvestPlus work to improve nutrition and public health in LMICs by developing and promoting biofortified food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals while providing global leadership on evidence and technology. In Zimbabwe IFPRIHarvestPlus is implementing projects to improve nutrition and public health by promoting biofortified crops like vitamin Arich maize and sweet potato ironrich beans cow peas and pearl millet and collaborating with various partners to increase their production and consumption.
The Senior Research Associate: Seed Systems will be part of the HarvestPlus team in Zimbabwe responsible for designing and implementing a country seed systems strategy which triggers widespread and sustained adoption and utilization of biofortified crops as well as generate demand in the market. He/she will work with different key stakeholders especially farmers extension agencies nutritionists seed producers agrodealers food processors commodity brokers retailers consumers and the media to facilitate production processing and consumption of biofortified crops.
- Design and implementation of participatory on farm agronomy research trials on the best production strategies for biofortified varieties.
- Planning and coordinating the production procurement and distribution of biofortified seeds (vitamin A orange maize iron beans iron cowpeas zinc wheat Iron pearl millet and Vitamin A orange sweet potato) by contracted seed companies.
- Planning coordinating and management of communitybased seed production in collaboration with extension agents and other implementing partners.
- Coordinating the training of lead farmers extension agents implementing partner staff and seed merchandisers on production promotion and utilization of biofortified varieties.
- Production of Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on biofortified crops to target audiences including farmers.
- Organize and participate in educational radio and television programs on promotion of production consumption and utilization of biofortified crops.
- Coordinate the commercial production and aggregation of biofortified crops to meet market demand.
- Conduct seed systems studies in target areas aimed at improving adoption of new biofortified maize and bean varietiesAny other duties as may be assigned by the Country Manager.
- A team player collaborative selfmotivated and able to work well with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
- Possess excellent leadership training and facilitation skills.
- Have demonstrated success working in multidisciplinary teams and partnerships in collaborative research work.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to multitask and work under pressure.
- Strong ability to coordinate prioritize and organize workload; take initiative and work under pressure.
- Ability to travel extensively within the project target areas.
- Commitment to the Organization s mission and core values.
Requirements
- Masters degree in Agriculture or related field
- At least Five 5 Years of relevant experience in designing and implementing a seed systems and delivery strategy.
- Experience in contract farming and organizing farmers into producer groups is an added advantage.
- Ability to conceptualize and initiate development programs especially in the area of agronomy.
- Strom and proven experience in working with farmers to strengthen adoption production and consumption of new crops.
- Experience in managing quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
- Valid drivers license acquired no less than Four 4 years ago.
Benefits
This is a nationally recruited position based in Harare Zimbabwe. The initial contract will be for One 1 Year subject to a probation period of three months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.
This position is graded at BG7 level with a minimum basic salary of USD 2096.00 in a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance retirement plan staff training and development paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
The Alliance BioversityCIAT is committed to fair safe and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation contributes to our excellence and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures races colors religions sexes national or regional origins ages disability statuses sexual orientations marital status and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications closing date: 18th April 2025
Please note that email applications will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about us
Employment Type
Full Time
