Research Officer II – Seed Procurement

The Position: World Agroforestry (ICRAF) seeks to recruit a Research Officer II – Seed Procurement who will be responsible Leads and coordinates PATSPO’s planning, exploration, collection, processing, testing, storage, documentation and distribution of tree seed accessions at regional and national level.

General: World Agroforestry (also known as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry-ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health. The Centre’s headquarter is located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leads and supervises the seed procurement activities of PATSPO.
• Coordinate all PATSPO support to - and collaboration with the Regional Tree Seed Centers (RTSCs), Central Ethiopia Environment Forest Research Center (CEEFRC), Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute (EFFRI) and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission (EFCCC) (and other major stakeholders) related to aspects of tree seed, i.e. seed import/export, materials, equipment and tools, operation of the seed centres, labs., and cold stores.
• Ensures timely procurement of seeds as outlined in the Project Document and Annual Work Plans, and for all applied seed research activities supported by PATSPO.
• In collaboration with the Regional Seed Centre Heads and the TSTC responsible for national coordination and monitoring of seed demand and seed collection planning and implementation.
• Coordinate and support the Seed Source Officer and the Tree improvement Officers in their efforts to establish seed sources in line with estimated future demand.
• In collaboration with the Project Management and Outreach Officer (change to new title of Mekdes) support his/her efforts to implement relevant information- and training activities.
• In collaboration with the Regional Centre Heads, the Tree Seed Technology Coordination (TSTC) and the Project Management and Outreach Officer ensures timely compilation of annual national seed collection plans and support/coordinate collections.
• Coordinate and Support the applied seed research on developing appropriate species wise techniques for monitoring of fruit formation, seed processing, storage and testing of seed of priority species at the TSTC and the four PTSCs.
• Leads and coordinates the development of guidelines for seed crop assessment, seed collection, processing, and storage, pre-treatment and sowing of priority species in Ethiopia.
• Responsible to prepare and follow up subject matter budgets.
• Responsible in answering to the Country Project Director (CPD) and the Senior Team Leader (STL).

Minimum Requirements:

Education

• MSc degree in forestry or related field with postgraduate specialization in seed procurement and/ seed technology and with a broad understanding of tree improvement
• Broad / specialized knowledge of methods, techniques and processes
   

Skills:

• Familiarity with development and relevant research techniques in the subject matter
• Ability to plan work and multi-task
• Computer literacy i.e. knowledge in MS Office
• Ability to analyse data and prepare progress records and reports
• Manages staff in their day to day activities
• Updates relevant manuals/protocols
• Flexible on work hours including travel and extended field work
• Follows policies and procedures
• Prepares progress reports for review
• Provides candid and helpful feedback taking into consideration the job grade of the person
• Aware of impact of own work
• Makes decisions within own area of work and requires approval from Supervisor

Experience:

• At least 5 years post-graduate working experience including experience in research in seed procurement/seed technology. Post- graduate studies in either of the two subjects and/or experience from similar positions elsewhere will be considered an additional advantage.

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Job Grade:   HG14

Monthly Base Salary: Birr 38,223 (Negotiable depending on the salary history of the candidate)

Terms of appointment:  This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position, initial appointment is for three year with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. The ILRI remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc. The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus in Addis Ababa. Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

Applications: Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and reference number: REF: ROSPO/15/20 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com by clicking on the "Apply Now" tab above before 19 March 2020.

To find more about ICRAF, visit our Website at www.worldagroforestry.org.

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at https://www.ilri.org     

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.