Job Offer at International Potato Center

Job Description

• The selected candidate will be a member of the Crop Improvement Science Goal team at CIP and will report to the Africa Potato and Sweet Potato Breeding Lead ad interim. The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute breeding strategies to create high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient potato varieties.
• Design and manage field and greenhouse trials, ensuring rigorous data collection and analysis.
• Analyse genetic data to inform breeding decisions and accelerate the development of new varieties.
• Collaborate with other researchers, extension agents, and farmers to facilitate the adoption of new potato varieties.
• Train and mentor junior scientists, technicians, and students in potato breeding practices.
• Publish research findings in scientific journals and present them at industry conferences.
• Support writing grant proposals and managing research projects, including budget oversight.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Plant Breeding or related area. PhD is desirable.
• At least six years’ experience in crop breeding including practical field breeding.
• Excellent knowledge of genetics, agronomy, plant protection, statistics and assessment and use of Genotype x Environment x Management interaction
• Experience in experimental design, agronomy, and field experimentation; excellent computer literacy and data management skills.
• A good track record in variety development would be a strong advantage.
• Knowledge of marker-assisted selection tools and strategies for breeding vegetatively propagated crops.
• Relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Knowledge of national agricultural research systems in the region.
• Experience in program and project management.
• Advance written and oral communication skills in English and Swahili.
• Strong communication and networking skills; Interest and demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environm

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Job Description
This position of Project Budget and Compliance Specialist will:

• Monitor funding trends and manage capacity for the functional area to ensure compliance and delivery of financial services to the projects.
• Monitor all the financial aspects according to the agreement, IFRS and donor guidelines, including preparation of proposal budgets, set-up of projects in OCS, preparation and submission of all invoices, financial reports to donors, timely corrections to the general ledger, and maintenance of agreement master files.
• Work with the project team to ensure that all donor related information is disseminated to project and, therefore, abide by donor rules and regulations.
• Maintain appropriate relations with donors and make reports as necessary, ensuring compliance with any terms or conditions agreements.
• Monitors compliance in the projects, including project audit reports and general financial and contracts issues related to projects.
• Develop policies and procedures related to projects accounting and projects financial management, as well as to contribute to those related to grants and contracts management.
• Monitor Portfolio Health: Recovery of Indirect Costs (OH, Chargebacks, Personnel), Potential Risks (Exchange Rate adjustments, Budget Variances/Revisions, Audits tracks)
• Prepares and submits timely and accurate donor reports (W1&W2, W3 and Bilateral Funding) requesting the necessary invoices.  Stay current with donor regulations and the award requirements identified in the CIP compliance matrix, to prepare accurate and timely reports.
• Maintains all applicable project records and files in accordance with internal controls, demonstrating compliance with donor requirements.
• Prepares and submits timely and accurate portfolio report (Compliance, Health)
• Comply with applicable health and safety CIP policies and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (with thesis completed) in Business Administration, Financial Management, Operations or related field.
• At least 6 years of professional experience in the accounting/finance/administrative area.
• Knowledge of the international development funding (Desirable).
• Aptitude for understanding complex regulations and monitoring financial transactions and documentation for compliance.
• Strong Knowledge of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) guidelines and BMGF projects implementation.
• Strong Knowledge with USAID projects, FAR and ADS rules and regulations and OMB Circulars.
• Accounting software packages (ERP Preferable).
• Fluent in official language according to country location.                                     
• Advanced written and oral communication skills in English.
• Analytical Thinking                               
• Planning & Organization
• Customer Service