Vegetable Breeder

  

AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center is a nonprofit, autonomous international agricultural research center with headquarters in Taiwan and regional offices around the globe. AVRDC conducts research and development programs that contribute to improved incomes and diets in the developing world through increased production and consumption of nutritious and health-promoting vegetables. For more information on AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, please visit our website: www.avrdc.org.

AVRDC’s Regional Center for Africa (RCA), with its regional office in Arusha, Tanzania and sites in Cameroon and Mali, conducts vegetable research and development and provides training and information services with the goal of improving nutrition and livelihoods among small-scale farmers and consumers in sub-Saharan Africa.

AVRDC has over the years developed a number of technologies that enhance the productivity and quality of vegetables and the potential outcome of these technologies can be fully achieved when they are widely adopted and the produce has adequate market access.

The Job:

AVRDC seeks an experienced scientist to manage the vegetable breeding and production operations at RCA.  With AVRDC scientists, and in collaboration with public and private partners, the position has responsibilities to contribute to implementing AVRDC’s strategy to develop productive vegetable varieties that meet the demand of consumers and processors and to design crop management practices to optimize productivity of these varieties.  This position will play a key role in implementing emerging technologies to enhance breeding and selection efficiency within prevalent vegetable cropping systems.

Key Responsibilities:

a.       Design and implement efficient and cost-effective breeding strategies and protocols for addressing production constraints and consumer preferences (including taste, storage life, processing and nutritional attributes) for priority traditional African vegetables

b.      Evaluate and characterize elite vegetable lines/varieties for horticultural traits, yield potential, agro-ecological adaptability and nutrient content, and promote production and consumption of selected high value vegetables in collaboration with AVRDC scientists and partners

c.       Develop cooperative linkages with private and public partner institutions including regulatory bodies, national agricultural research and extension systems, seed companies, non-governmental and community-based organizations and farmer groups in developing, release, registration and popularization of new vegetable varieties

d.      Oversee farm operations and assist in establishing, upgrading, and maintaining breeding and horticultural infrastructure and equipment at RCA’s Arusha site.

e.       Contribute toward building the capacity of stakeholders and scientists in vegetable breeding research, seed systems, and good horticultural practices

f.       Work with AVRDC scientists and partners to design and promote sound horticultural and integrated crop management practices

g.       Compile, analyze, document and publish research data in journals, book chapters, magazines and newsletters

h.      Participate in resource mobilization through development of concept notes and proposals in strategic research areas

i.        Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the supervisor.

The Person:

·         PhD degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in genetics, plant breeding, or horticulture and good understanding of cropping system agronomy.

·         Relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

·         Strong skills in field breeding, experimental design and statistics, experience in participatory field experimentation, excellent computer literacy including experience with database management.

·         Experience in management of breeding and selection operations with multiple species.

·         Proficiency with written and spoken English; knowledge of French is desirable.

·         Knowledge of sub-Saharan Africa and good contacts with scientists in the region is an added advantage.

The candidate must be able to work as a member of interdisciplinary teams in a multicultural, multinational environment, and should be able to interact effectively with partners as a service provider and project leader.

The Reward: This is an Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) position with competitive pay and benefits. The initial appointment is for three years and may be extended depending on requirement, funding availability, and performance of the incumbent.

The Center provides equal opportunity for diverse people and is keen to increase the representation of women and professionals from developing countries.

How to Apply: Submit application with Curriculum vitae, a recent passport size photograph and names and addresses (including telephone/fax/e-mail) of three referees by e-mail to human.resources@worldveg.org before 31^st July 2012.