AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO REDUCING POVERTY, ENHANCING FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY AND IMPROVING NATURAL RESOURCES
Environment
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.
CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.
Please refer to the website for more information: www.cimmyt.org
Breeding Operation Support Manager – Western and Central Africa
The objective of this position is to Support CGIAR and National Agriculture Research System (NARS) Institutions to improve their breeding operations.
The position will be based in Dakar, Senegal.
Specific duties:
- Keep on track the requests for Trialing and Nursery (T&N) Services and support within Western and Central Africa region.
- Promote T&N Services and Support in Western and Central Africa region.
- Provide customers (breeders, station managers, operational team, etc.) with adequate support, being the bridge between customers and technical support (consultants, engineering services, etc.)
- Lead the T&N Service and Support operational team to deliver T&N projects in Western and Central Africa region.
- Propose pilots to support T&N Service and Support strategy.
- Stakeholder engagement with breeding leads, initiative leads, center leadership to ensure smooth operation and/or coordination of T&N Services and Support.
- Provide T&N Service and Support demand to support T&N leadership team to develop the T&N service strategy. Identifying gaps and developing plans to establish and improve T&N shared services in Western and Central Africa region.
- Supporting CGIAR/NARES breeding Networks, centers, and research stations to improve T&N operations by:
- Support the development of improvement plans in all areas related to T&N scope;
- Support the development of CAPEX investment plan/proposals;
- Support the development and implementation of capacity development plan;
- Ensure CGIAR/NARES breeding networks will have access to shared services in the scope of T&N, such as:
- High-throughput Phenotyping.
- Engineering services.
- Agronomic support.
- Reporting progress towards the delivery of T&N support service strategy and reporting KPIs, as follow, but not limited to:
- Service adoption.
- Client satisfaction.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.
Required academic qualifications, skills, and attitudes
The successful candidate will have the following profile:
- Degree in field of plant science, agronomy, agriculture engineering
- +5 years of experience in plant breeding, breeding operations, or operations management in the agriculture sector.
- Relevant experience in the agriculture sector.
- Experience with Process improvement methodologies such as LEAN.
- Experience with Business case for infrastructure investment.
- Project management.
- Experience working in a multicultural environment.
- Experience extension programs/ service delivery.
- Good reporting and communication skills in English (working language).
- The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Problem-solving and decision-making, client orientation, negotiation and conflict resolution, communication, and teamwork.
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.
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.
Applicants should send an up-to-date CV and a one-page cover letter, including copies of the highest diploma/degree, training certificates related to the position, and names and email addresses of 3 professional referees to Ms. Auree de Carbon by email at: adecarbon@carrhure.com no later than December 22, 2023 18:00 CET. Please indicate in the Subject’ of the email the title “Application for the post of CIMMYT _ BREEDING OPERATION SUPPORT MANAGER – WESTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA”
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.