Senior Germplasm Health Officer (Seed Health) at IITA - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

Duties
Coordinate regulatory permit requests:

• Coordinate phytosanitary documentation with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), including import permits, phytosanitary certificates, and pre-/post-entry inspections, to facilitate the safe exchange of germplasm.
• Serve as the focal liaison between internal clients, quarantine authorities, and regulatory agencies on plant quarantine matters.
• Conduct phytosanitary inspections and certify planting materials for national and international movement to prevent the introduction and spread of regulated pests and diseases.

Seed Health Testing:

• Conduct field, screenhouse, and laboratory inspections to monitor pest and disease incidence and assess plant health.
• Perform seed health testing, quality assessment, cleaning, and certification to support germplasm distribution and Genebank conservation.
• Collect and process clonal samples for health assessment, pathogen indexing, and diagnostic testing.
• Develop, validate, and implement laboratory protocols and diagnostic methods, including morphometric analysis using advanced imaging technologies (e.g., VideometerLab).
• Maintain pathogen culture collections and ensure proper long- and medium-term storage, viability, and documentation.
• Plan and conduct laboratory and screenhouse experiments to support plant health research and diagnostics.

Data, Records & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records and databases for import/export permits, post-entry quarantine, seed health testing, and laboratory activities.
• Prepare technical reports, certification records, and periodic summaries of laboratory and quarantine activities.
• Coordinate service cost tracking, chargeback processes, and budget allocation for quarantine and seed health services.

Laboratory Operations & Training Support:

• Supervise laboratory personnel, interns, NYSC members, and industrial trainees, ensuring compliance with laboratory quality, biosafety, and operational standards.
• Support laboratory operations, equipment management, and service continuity, including acting for the Laboratory Manager or Unit Head when required.

Other:

• Perform any other duties assigned by the Unit Head or Program Manager in support of plant health, quarantine, and germplasm health activities.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Pathology, Microbiology, Plant Science, Biotechnology, or a related discipline with a minimum of four (4) years of experience in seed health and phytosanitation of germplasm.
• Training in Quality Management Systems (QMS) and a basic understanding of data security principles is an additional advantage.

Competencies
The ideal candidate must have:

• Proven expertise in seed health testing for clonal and seed crops, including culturing techniques, microscopy, and molecular diagnostics.
• Good knowledge of regulations and procedures of National Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs).
• Experience in seed treatment of clonal and seed crops, including selection of planting materials, chemical treatment, and packaging.
• Understanding of CGIAR Germplasm Health Unit (GHU) functions and operations.
• Ability to manage research service requests and effectively engage with internal clients and external regulatory bodies.
• Knowledge of regulatory permit requirements for the import and export of germplasm and the ability to ensure compliance.
• Strong data management, analysis, and report-writing skills.
• Demonstrated experience in seed health assessment of IITA mandate crops, including banana, cassava, cowpea, soybean, maize, and yam.

Renumeration

• We offer highly competitive salary with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant campus environment.