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Agronomist/ Program Director
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is seeking a suitable qualified candidate for a key leadership appointment in systems agronomy. The selected candidate will be expected to provide disciplinary oversight and program leadership to CIMMYT projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America which conduct research on sustainable systems that increase productivity and/or reduce costs of production while minimizing environmental impact. The appointment will be based in South Asia and is initially for three years with the opportunity for extension into a career position.
The selected candidate will engage in the following activities:
- Provide technical and administrative leadership for a team of 15 or more internationally recruited maize and wheat agronomists, and soil and social scientists.
- Oversee systems research with emphasis on germplasm by crop systems agronomy; conservation agriculture-based resource conserving technologies; impact of and mitigation for climate change; input use efficiency, especially water and nutrients; soil fertility and health; and disease and pest dynamics.
- Coordinate with CIMMYT’s genetic resources, maize and wheat programs to ensure that research projects across programs and within the program reflect the importance of crop systems agronomy in planning and implementation.
- Provide leadership to CIMMYT’s Project 10: Maize and wheat cropping systems, that includes major new initiatives such as the mega-project “Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia”.
- Participate in senior management of CIMMYT.
We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications and demonstrated skills, characteristics and interests:
- PhD in agronomy or related field with 10 or more years of appropriate experience
- Experience in managing multi-disciplinary systems agronomy research with particular emphasis on conservation agriculture, on-farm research, and experience with plant breeding programs
- Ability to formulate and communicate researchable issues and their outcomes, relevant for the developing countries in which CIMMYT works, especially through successful grant applications
- Management skills in multicultural partnerships, budget management and leadership of a large team of scientists and staff
- Commitment to poverty reduction through agricultural research and development preferably in developing countries
- Willingness to undertake frequent periods of extended travel especially in Asia and Africa
- Proficiency in written and spoken English; additional languages desireable
CIMMYT is an internationally funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and has an annual budget of approximately US$40 million. CIMMYT’s mission is to help the poor in the developing world by increasing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of maize and wheat-based cropping systems while protecting natural resources. The Center is a global leader in scientific research and training related to maize and wheat, and in biotechnology, economics, and natural resource management research. These activities are conducted in partnership with national agricultural research systems, non-governmental organizations, and advanced research institutions, both public and private, in globally-focused projects and programs. CIMMYT employs about 600 permanent staff and operates through decentralized partnerships, with staff in 11 countries and projects and networks in many more.
CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package paid in US dollars, with a range of benefits including housing allowance, life and health insurance, education allowance (to Grade 12), home leave, retirement fund, and relocation shipping allowance.
CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
Please send via e-mail your letter of application, CV/Resume (including full contact information), and names and contact information of three references to:
Human Resources Manager, CIMMYT,
(Reference 2008/12),
Email: jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org
Review of applications will begin by December 31st, 2008.
For further information contact Dr. Jonathan Hellin (j.hellin@cgiar.org), Interim Director, Impacts, Targeting and Assessment Unit
September,
2007