The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is not-for-profit agricultural research for development organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org
CIMMYT is looking for an outstanding, self-motivated, and result-oriented professional for the position of Seed Systems Specialist, to form part of the Demand-Driven Seed Systems research team of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Program (SAS).
This position will be based in either Kenya, Ethiopia or Sudan, depending on the team’s needs and the interests and experiences of the selected candidate.
- Lead an ambitious and innovative research-for-development (R4D) agenda focused on the challenges for cereal seed sector in Eastern Africa related to:
- Increased relevance and scale of informal cereal seed systems
- Demand-led strategies for the development of formal cereal seed systems
- End-user preferences for foods derived from maize, wheat, millet, ground nut and sorghum systems.
- Influence of gender relations on access to and preferences for cereal varieties
- Private sector capacity to deliver and distribute (market) quality seed products.
- Increased effectiveness of seed aid programs by governments and NGOs
- Provide strategic leadership for the implementation and growth of a high-impact social science research agenda on cereal seed systems.
- Support the capacity development of CIMMYT’s partners in the region, including seed companies, extension programs, and national agricultural research centers, in themes related to cereal seed systems development.
- Engage local stakeholders (NARS, seed companies, CGIAR breeding teams, NGOs) on strategies, policies, and research needed to address bottlenecks in cereal systems in East Africa and beyond through workshops, briefs, and periodic one-on-one engagements.
- Engage staff from CIMMYT, NARS, NGOs, and seed companies in the region to understand plant breeding, seed production, and seed distribution, as input for designing a stronger client orientation by social science in its seed systems agenda.
- Support regional efforts to mobilize resources to expand R4D agenda on seed systems and related areas of work.
- PhD. in agricultural economics, development economics, natural resource management, gender studies or similar field, with at least twelve years of relevant experience in a developing country context. Private sector experience will be viewed favorably.
- Strong quantitative research skills and experience
- Track record of publications in high-level peer reviewed journals.
- Demonstrated ability to excel in complex multidisciplinary research or development projects.
- Good partnership building skills, including the ability to interact with funding agencies and local partners.
- A high degree of personal organization and ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to work with different nationalities and disciplines as a member of a diverse work team.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- The selected candidate should exhibit the following competencies: Team Leadership, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Problem Solving, and Communication.
The position is for an initial fixed term of three (3) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.
