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Vacancy Number: A/015/2012
Department: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration: 2-year term renewable

General: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an autonomous, non- profit making, international scientific organization operating under the aegis of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). More specifically its mission is:
To encourage, support and undertake activities to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat systems in the interest of the resource poor in developing countries.

The position: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is recruiting a Research Assistant IV based in Addis Ababa, who will be a member of the CIMMYT team.

Main duties (Terms of Reference)

The Research Assistant IV will work as a member of CIMMYT’s Global Maize Program (GMP) in Ethiopia, and provide technical support to the CIMMYT-GMP team for effective deployment of high-yielding, stress tolerant, nutritionally enhanced maize germplasm in the maize-based farming systems in the country. The position will be based at CIMMYT-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, and involves frequent travel to Sustainable Intensification of Maize and Legume Cropping Systems in East and South Africa (SIMLESA) project sites including Melkassa, Hawassa, Bako, Pawe, Bahir Dar and Jijiga. The incumbent, in collaboration with various partners (Seed producers, National Agricultural Research System, Universities, NGOs, Private sector, etc) and with farmers, will contribute to the effective implementation of SIMLESA in Ethiopia.

Key duties and responsibilities include:
Assists in seed production and deployment of elite, stress tolerant and quality protein maize (QPM) cultivars to resource-poor farmers in Ethiopia, in active collaboration with the existing seed systems in the country.
Contributes to the SIMLESA project in Ethiopia (in active interface with legume researchers) through implementation of seed road maps, including inbred line maintenance, production of breeders, pre-basic and basic seed of parental lines of cultivars based on CIMMYT germplasm, partnership with relevant public and private sector institutions for increased certified seed production, and field-based activities for promotion and enhanced adoption of CIMMYT germplasm-based maize varieties suitable for maize-legume systems in Ethiopia.
Works with partner organizations involved in promoting and harmonizing the Ethiopian seed sector.
Works with other CIMMYT staff in capacity building of public and private seed sector partners in the seed systems to empower them to produce and distributes different classes of maize seed.
Follows up of on-station and on-farm trials in Ethiopia.
Supports to national program staff and national universities for field trial management, data management and analysis, and seed quality management.
Data input, quality control and validation.
Contributes to publications and presentation of research outputs.
Builds capacity and provide practical trainings to national programs and national universities on field trials and field measurements.
Frequent local travel (and some occasional international travel, based on need) will be required.

Required and desirable skills for the position include:
Applied knowledge in maize seed production, management of demonstration and validation trials, variety release procedures, seed regulations, seed quality, experimental design, field trial management, data analyses, and field experimental operations, preferably in maize
Good communication skills in written and spoken English.
Strong self-motivation and innovative skills.
Demonstrated good communication and organizational skills and ability to work under pressure.
Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural partnerships.

Minimum Requirement:

Education: MSc in Plant Breeding, Seed Technology or Crop Agronomy or related field

Experience: At least 2 years of relevant experience in a national/international organizations

Training: Any training related to Breeding, seed management, seed quality management, agronomy, statistics, and database development considered highly desirable

Skills: Seed production, breeding, statistics, databases, good communication skills (written and spoken) in English, innovative, ability to work with minimal supervision in a multi-disciplinary team.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Grade: 2D level 3.

Minimum Base Salary : Birr 13,388

Terms of appointment: Initial appointment is (fixed term) for two years with the possibility of renewal appointment, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. CIMMYT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits in line with ILRI salary applicable for its Nationally Recruited Staff. CIMMYT is an international and equal opportunity organization and believes that diversity of its staff contributes to excellence.

The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, relevant documents and testimonials and the names and addresses (including telephone, fax and email) of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Human Resources Office, ILRI, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Telephone: (251-11)-617-20-00; Fax: (251-11)-617-20-01. The name and reference number of the position for which the application is made should be clearly marked on the envelopes if mailed, or on the fax applications. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Closing date: 10 (Ten) days after the date of publication in the Ethiopian Herald.

To find more about CIMMYT, visit our Website at http://www.cimmyt.org
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply

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