Seed Systems Specialist at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Specific duties:

• Provide critical inputs to the design of an ambitious and innovative research-for-development (R4D) agenda focused on addressing challenges for achieving faster varietal uptake in Eastern Africa through interventions in support of more equitable gender relations, informed decision making, and improved access.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of a broader social science research agenda related to seed marketing, market intelligence, seed business, and preferences for cereal seed and cereal-based foods in the region.
• Play a key role in positioning of CIMMYT as a thought leader in discussions related to social inclusion and seed systems development.
• Support the capacity development of CIMMYT’s partners in the region, including those in national agricultural research centers, in areas related to cereal seed systems development.
• Engage with local stakeholders on strategies, policies, and research needed to address bottlenecks in cereal systems in East Africa and beyond.
• Publish research findings in international peer-reviewed journals and contribute to dissemination of results to stakeholders via workshops and webinars.
• Engage with staff from CIMMYT, NARS, NGOs, and seed companies in the region to understand plant breeding, seed production, and seed distribution, as input for designing a stronger client orientation by social science in its seed systems agenda.
• Support regional efforts to mobilize resources to expand R4D agenda on seed systems and related areas of work.

Required academic qualifications, skills, and attitudes:

• D. in a social science field (e.g. gender studies, rural sociology, applied economics).
• Track record of quality publications in recognized social science journals.
• Active interest and preferable experience in the seed sector development.
• At least three years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to excel in complex multidisciplinary research or development projects.
• Good partnership building skills, including the ability to interact with funding agencies; deliver effectively; and moderate meetings with local partners.
• A high degree of personal organization and ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to work with different nationalities and disciplines as a member of a diverse work team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Proactivity, Problem Solving and Decision-making, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and Teamwork.