CIMMYT Maize Seed Health Technician for East Africa Job in Nairobi Kenya

Vacancy: Maize Seed Health Technician for East Africa - CIMMYT
 

About the Organization: The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries, and through offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

Through strong science and effective partnerships, we create, share, and use knowledge and agricultural technologies to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems, and sustain natural resources in developing countries. 

We participate in an extensive global network of people and organizations who share similar research and development goals, including the public and private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, farmers, and the development assistance community.
 

About the Position: CIMMYT is recruiting a Maize Seed Health Technician to provide timely and precise implementation and recording of seed health of maize breeding materials in accordance with standardized testing procedures, as recognized by the national regulatory agencies. 

He or she will need to implement sound seed health procedures and protocols to ensure exchange of disease-free maize seed and comply with quarantine regulations and maintain records of all seed shipments into and out of CIMMYT-Kenya.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Execute seed health testing for the detection of maize seed-borne virus, bacteria and fungi
• Test maize seed for seed-borne diseases
• Ensure movement of clean, disease-free seed into and out of Kenya and between experimental sites, and comply with plant quarantine regulations
• Timely and accurate preparation, evaluation, and recording of seed analysis
• Implement established policies and procedures related to maize seed health at CIMMYT
• Ensure proper seed movement and exchange between sites in Kenya to prevent accidental introduction of Maize Lethal Necrosis

Requirements:

• MSc in Plant or Seed Pathology, or related field
• At least 5 years’ experience in seed health or related field

Skills and Competencies:

• Familiarity with immunological and molecular techniques as they are applied in seed-borne pathogen diagnosis
• Familiarity with international procedures for germplasm exchange, including quarantine regulations
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Office products and database applications
• Strong team player, self-starter, positive attitude and high integrity
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Previous experience in an office setting and laboratory or glasshouse/field setting
• A clean driver’s license

Terms of offer:
 

CIMMYT is hosted by The World Agroforestry Centre which is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. 

We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women. 

This position is on local terms and will be for an initial period of three (3) years, renewable subject to six (6) months’ probation, assessment of performance, continued relevance of the position and availability of resources. 

The position will be based in CIMMYT offices at Nairobi.
 

How to apply:
 

Go to http://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies
 

Applications will be considered until 14th May 2014. 

Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
 

About ICRAF: The World Agroforestry Centre (also known as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry or ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. 

As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. 

We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

We invite you to learn more about ICRAF and CIMMYT by accessing our websites: 

www.worldagroforestry.org
and www.cimmyt.org