CIMMYT Doubled Haploid Research Technician Job Vacancy in Kiboko Kenya 6th May 2014
Vacancy Re-Advertisement: Research Technician – Doubled Haploid (DH) – CIMMYT
The Organization: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries, and through offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Through strong science and effective partnerships, we create, share, and use knowledge and agricultural technologies to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems, and sustain natural resources in developing countries.
We participate in an extensive global network of people and organizations who share similar research and development goals, including the public and private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, farmers, and the development assistance community.
About the Position: The incumbent will work under the supervision of the CIMMYT Maize Double Haploid (DH)-Africa Operations Manager and Project Leader and in close interface with other team members and will be responsible for providing technical assistance to DH Project Management to ensure that all activities associated to the establishment and maintenance of the DH nurseries up to harvesting are executed in strict adherence to established guidelines and protocols to meet project performance targets on a timely and cost-efficient manner.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist in planning DH operations and in the establishment of the haploid induction, selfing, and haploid inducer lines nurseries, including seed preparations;
- Responsible for seedling potting, recovery management at the greenhouse, greenhouse maintenance, and seedling transplanting;
- Assist in planning the day-to-day DH nurseries’ work program, allocates and supervises field crew to various tasks;
- Assist in implementation of best agronomic-cultural management program of the DH nurseries;
- Assist in managing haploid seed selection;
- Assist in managing farm supplies inventory and allocating farm resources;
- Assist DH management team in the identification of technical problems and in the continuous improvement of protocols;
- In a timely manner, accurately capture and systematically organize field data for reporting and management purposes;
- Assist in the execution of the DH Quality Management System and in the strict compliance of Safety, Health and Environmental policies, and adherence to CIMMYT code of conduct and core values.
Essential Qualifications
- MSc in Plant Breeding or Agronomy/related field or MS Project Management;
- Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or Agronomy;
- Minimum 3 years of experience in maize-based production research, especially at the field level;
- Knowledge on soil-crop-environment relationships, and maize reproductive biology, growth and development and cultural requirements;
- Hands-on experience in establishment and maintenance of maize research plots, data capturing and data management.
- Working experience in supply-chain management in a multi-stakeholders environment, quality management system, technology management and continuous process improvement, and occupational Health, Safety and Environmental compliance in the seed industry;
- Ability to analyze and interpret data and body of knowledge;
- Track record of farm labour-relations;
- Problem identification and solving skills;
- Ability to spot deviations from standard protocols and initiating corrective actions in close interface with peers and supervisors;
- Operational-mechanical skill on data recording equipment, small farm implements and environmental monitoring tools
- Computer-literate
Terms of Offer
The World Agroforestry Centre is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender sensitive working environment.
We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women.
This position is on local terms and will be for an initial period of three (3) years renewable, subject to six (6) months’ probation period, assessment of performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of resources.
The position will be based at the CIMMYT Office at Kiboko.
How to Apply
Please combine into one document the following:
- A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements and salary expectations;
- A detailed curriculum vitae;
- The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, fax numbers and email addresses;
- A copy of driving licence.
Applications will be considered until 12th May 2014.
Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and World Agroforestry Centre by accessing our web
sites www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org