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  • Posted: Dec 24, 2019
    Deadline: Not specified
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    The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the world's leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Our award-winning research for development (R4D) addresses the development needs of tropical countries. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consu...
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    Head of Breeding

    IITA has successful breeding programs on six very important crops in sub-Saharan Africa: cassava, yam, banana/plantain, maize, soybean and cowpea. In recent years, these have been reviewed based on the Breeding Program Assessment Tool (BPAT) (https://plantbreedingassessment.org/). The programs have also had extensive interaction with the CGIAR Excellence in Breeding (EiB) platform during which crop specific and cross cutting (institutional) improvement plans have been developed along with product profiles and market segmentation analyses. Implementing these plans will require a strong focus on step changes to improve efficiency of breeding and delivery of increased rates of variety turnover and genetic gain. This has been identified as a high priority by IITA and the appointee will play an important role in prioritizing future investments at the Institute within the Crops to End Hunger initiative. IITA seeks a senior plant breeder with commercial plant breeding and people management experience to lead modernisation of all IITA breeding programs and to facilitate the institutional changes that will allow this to occur in an effective and efficient manner. The appointee will report to the Deputy Director General for Research-for-Development.

    Position Responsibilities

    The Head of Breeding will:

    • Align breeding focus and operational resources to validated breeding targets.
    • Establish a crop advancement agenda in partnership with breeders of the IITA mandate crops and the product manager.
    • Establish specific metrics for variety and trait advancements for each crop.
    • Establish metrics for population improvements within the breeding program.
    • Modify breeding structure of each crop to deliver demand driven products at the lowest cost.
    • Establish a culture of continuous improvement.
    • Improve breeding strategy for all six mandate crops.
    • Lead breeding teams to design and implement breeding strategies.
    • Work closely with the product manager and cross-functional product teams to define targets for the breeding programs to develop breeding strategy.
    • Work with breeders to strengthen collaboration with national breeding programs and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. seed companies, input suppliers, etc.)
    • Define investment plans and mobilize increased resources for crop breeding.
    • Facilitate establishment of collaborative research with advanced research institutions.
    • Serve as the focal point of IITA’s interactions with the Excellence in Breeding platform.
    • Connect IITA resources in design, engineering and operations to develop highly effective product development teams.

    Educational Qualifications

    The candidate should have a finalised PhD in plant breeding, genetics or related field.

    Core Competencies

    • At least 15 years of experience in plant breeding programs (with at least 10 years in the private sector) at progressively higher levels of responsibility.
    • Evidence of significant management skills including change management and management of successful breeding teams.
    • Ability to work well in a diverse multicultural environment.
    • Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
    • Evidence of experience in resource mobilization.
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
    • Ability to build consensus/function as part of a team.

    Duty Station: IITA Headquarters, Ibadan, Nigeria


    General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package paid in US Dollars.

    Method of Application

    Applications must include covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers

    Closing Date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

    IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

    Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

    Interested and qualified? Go to IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on jobs.iita.org to apply

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