Current Opportunities at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)

Specific duties:

• Collaborate with relevant public and private sector institutions, contribute to deploying and scaling up seeds in support of cropping systems in Sudan, including but not limited to groundnut, sorghum, sesame, and vegetable seed systems.
• Provide technical support to seed companies, NGOs, and NARS in designing and implementing seed road maps and systems analysis for seed system scaling to meet seed demand for target beneficiaries.
• Work with Gender Lead to ensure gender- and market-responsive seed systems interventions and extension approaches for enhancing livelihoods, including demonstration of new varieties to generate demand and capacity building of local institutions.
• Support sustainable intensification practices that promote soil health in climate-resilient crop production.
• Promote and manage various rural development and innovation models around extension/seed system/climate innovative technologies engaging institutions, change agents, and stakeholders.
• Lead the development of approaches for promoting seed entrepreneurship amongst women and youth.
• Engage with knowledge agencies, training institutions, and experts for stakeholder capacity building and strengthening partnership.
• Lead the collection and dissemination of high-quality seed producibility data to seed companies, NGOs, and community-based organizations.
• Document the work through high-quality technical reports that demonstrate project impacts.
• Work with and support project and program economists to implement a broader social science research agenda related to seed system strengthening, seed marketing, market intelligence, agri-business, and end-user preferences in the region.
• Contribute to the positioning of CIMMYT as a thought leader in debate related to legume and cereal seed systems development through high-level publications and presentations.
• Engage local stakeholders (seed companies, CGIAR breeding teams, NGOs) on strategies, policies, and research to address bottlenecks in legume and cereal systems in Sudan and the region.

Requirements

• Arabic speaking and proven record of working in Arabic speaking regions on seed systems.
• Ph.D. in Crop Science, Breeding, Seed Systems would be desired. Candidates with different backgrounds will also be considered.
• 5 or more years of experience in international agriculture development research, preferably working on seed systems.
• At least 5 years in research project management or a related role, including publications, donor relations, reporting and fund raising.
• Core experience:
  • Expert knowledge of Seed Systems.
  • Long-term experience working with research organizations, NGOs, private sector seed companies or related.
  • Evidence of policy support and high-level government engagement in Seed Systems development.
  • Project management and donor relations expertise.
• The selected candidate should exhibit the following competencies: Team Leadership, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Problem Solving, and Communication.

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Contribute to Strategic Management and Integration:

• Collaborate with our leadership team to guide the organization's strategic direction, focusing on integrating GESI throughout our research and innovation.
• Analyze global trends and their implications for GESI, advising the Director General and ensuring that CIMMYT remains a leader in this field by mainstreaming and innovating GESI throughout all our work.
• Manage and innovate GESI science and innovation protocols, methods, infrastructure, and initiatives, ensuring alignment with international best practices and standards.
• Promote CIMMYT's vision and GESI objectives, driving forward our mission with passion and commitment.

Expand Operational and Strategic Capacity:

• Stay abreast of global developments in GESI research and innovation, translating insights into action and policy upgrades.
• Establish and track objectives and key performance indicators for GESI initiatives, enhancing our impact and reach.
• Drive the GESI components of the CIMMYT 2030 Strategy, advocating for continuous improvement and high performance.
• Develop and execute strategic plans that bolster GESI in our research and innovation portfolio, ensuring effective, client-focused outcomes.

Lead and Inspire:

• Ensure that GESI principles are embedded across CIMMYT, translating strategic vision into excellence in execution.
• Oversee the development of GESI policies and research and innovation protocols, methods, and concepts, setting the bar for quality and impact, while inspiring change in our partners.
• Engage with a worldwide network, fostering unity in a diverse cultural landscape.
• Develop and lead a GESI research and innovation portfolio focused and improving GESI standards and implementation throughout research and innovation in the Global South.

Requirements

• An advanced university/academic degree in a relevant field, with a strong focus on gender equity and social inclusion.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in GESI-focused roles, demonstrating leadership and the ability to mobilize resources and people.
• Proven skills in fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building in GESI.
• A strong understanding of organizational change processes.
• Extensive knowledge of and experience with project management and administration.
• Experience working in an international environment.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong communication skills, with fluency in English required and additional language proficiency desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse teams and partners across cultures and geographies.
• You exhibit the following competencies: Strategic Impact, Operational Efficiency, People Management, Networking and Communication, and Individual Impact.