Position: Technical Assistant III - Germplasm Health

Application Deadline: August, 01/2023

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Technical Assistant III – Germplasm Health who will support the seed health test activities and assists general germplasm health unit laboratory activities.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assists the routine diagnostic tests for fungi, viruses, bacteria, and phytoplasma in the ILRI Forage Genebank collection;

• Prepares and blot seeds for fungi and virus testing;

• Collects samples from the regeneration/seed multiplications field of the genebank (Sodo, Zway Bishoftu and Shola sites);

• Prepares media, buffers, and other reagents used in the diagnosis;

• Pre-germination, planting and maintaining forage seedlings in the screen house for cleaning of germplasm from quarantine seed-borne pathogens;

• Assisting in research and training activities on seed health testing;

• Maintains accurate records of laboratory and field activities in the database;

• Routines checking of GHU lab equipment and report when problems happened;

• Keeps the laboratory clean and tidy;

• Other laboratory/field/screen house-related duties may be required.

Academic and professional qualifications:

Education:

• The high school completed Or Diploma from a recognized university/college in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Biotechnology or related plant sciences

• Knowledge in relevant fields and use of simple tools and equipment

Experience:

• The high school completed plus a certificate in a relevant field and three years of relevant experience

Or

• Diploma in relevant field with one-year relevant experience in Plant Pathology, Microbiology or Biotechnology laboratory.

Skills:

• Good understanding of plant pathogens

• Basic understanding of seed-borne detection techniques (Agar plate, dot bot, ELISA, PCR)

• Ability to work as a team member as well as independently.

• Ability to work with laboratory chemicals, fungicides, and other potentially irritating substances.

• Ability to do routine and repetitious work for long hours in the laboratory or field.

• A rigorous approach to monitoring the progress of tasks

• Effective communication in English and interpersonal skills

• Good computer skills

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Grade: HG 09

Minimum Base Salary: Birr 18,121 per month (negotiable depending on salary history of the candidate)

Terms of appointment: This is a National Staff (NS) position, initial appointment is for three years 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 a very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, an 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.

How to apply

Register using THIS LINK

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: TA/FFD/17/23 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter. All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal using the below apply button

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.