Seed Systems Consultant at International Potato Center

Location: Nigeria

Job Description

• The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a consultant with global experience in managing and facilitating seed systems activities with special focus on multiple biofortified crops including orange-fleshed sweet potato, vitamin A yellow cassava, vitamin A orange maize and high iron beans.

Expected duration:

• This consultancy contract is for 10 working days spread over the period September to December 2016, with possibility of extension, subject to performance and availability of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities
The consultant will work closely with CIAT, CIMMYT, CIP, IITA and Harvest Plus and the other consortium partners to coordinate the seed systems activities, synthesize seed systems progress reports and support capacity development activities as called upon. The specific activities include to:

• Work with the seed experts under BNFB to ensure effective networking, collaboration and communication to facilitate a strategic focus on mainstreaming bio fortification into country breeding programs;
• Work with the seed systems experts to define the terms of reference for seed systems platforms in Nigeria and Tanzania.
• Act as the ‘secretary’ to the seed systems platform, and ensure that meetings are scheduled regularly by rotating conveners. The platform will provide the opportunity to deliberate on topical cross-cutting seed systems issues, develop implementation strategies, associated work plans and agree on appropriate division of labor. The platform will also provide opportunities for monitoring and learning;
• Synthesize the respective commodity based seed systems progress reports and develop consolidated seed systems progress reports.
• Provide input to the seed systems partners’ needs assessment exercise and subsequent capacity development response strategy.

Qualifications/Special Skills

• Academic Qualifications: Relevant PhD degree with specialization in Plant breeding, Agronomy, Seed technology or related fields;
• Experience: Extensive experience in developing seed systems in selected commodity value chain and strengthening seed supply chain, with a focus on (seed and grain) market development and commercialization;
• Global expertise: Relevant work experience in international organizations or NGO’s in multi-cultural environments is required.
• Language: Proven communication skills in English.