General Background
The overarching goal of Accelerated Breeding Imitative (ABI) and of Genetic Innovation (GI) Action Area of the OneCGIAR is to deliver higher rates of genetic gain in the form of farmer-preferred varieties and to decrease the average age of varieties in farmers’ fields providing real-time adaptation to climate change, evolving markets and production systems; i) Nutrition, health and food security, ii) Poverty reduction, livelihoods and jobs, Gender equality, youth and Social inclusion, iii) Climate adaptation and mitigation, v) Environmental health and biodiversity. ABI aims to deliver the step-change in performance for the complex traits that are now needed to achieve the projected benefits for the five Impact Areas through quantitatively optimized and data-driven approaches to breeding, faster breeding cycles and greater focus on development of farmer- and consumer- preferred varieties adapted to distinct production environments, markets and end uses.
About the position
The Research Associate will coordinate research efforts consistent with the established research design and implementation according to specific milestones. He/she will also develop and maintain project workplans plans; managing the production of the required products such as annual reports, participating in monitoring overall progress and use of resources among other duties.
Main duties and responsibilities include:
- Develop and maintain project plans; managing the production of the required products, participating in monitoring overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary
- Respond to ABI related requests from the System Management office related to ABI and interface with global and regional initiatives to identify synergies and means of addressing them
- Advise ABI management on any deviations from the plan; identifying and managing risks so that maximum benefit is achieved
- Respond to Centre/ entity breeding lead queries and needs and manage communication to ensuring all stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions
- Support the workplan management of the global bean breeding program
Requirements
- Bachelor degree in Crop Science or other relevant discipline.
- Two years’ work experience in related field
- High proficiency with computers in particular MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and the Internet.
- Experience in monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations is asset.
- A strong ability to work within a team under minimum supervision and deliver results.
- Excellent leadership, training, and facilitation skills.
- Excellent interpersonal with advanced written and verbal communication skills in the English language.
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment
- Ability to liaise with other project implementing multi-disciplinary teams
- Ability to do multiple tasks under pressure and meet deadlines
- Must be able to work independently with minimum supervision, but also participate as a team member in the accomplishment of duties.
- Strong ability to coordinate, prioritize and organize workload; take initiative and work under pressure.
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Commitment to Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT’s mission and core values
How to apply
Applicants are invited to visit https://www.bioversityinternational.org/jobs/ to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference numberRef: 102407-Research Associate as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting.