Liberia: Rice Seed System Specialist, IRS/15/DPC/2015/09

The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) is seeking a highly qualified Rice Seed System Specialistto be based in Monrovia, Liberia.

About AfricaRice

AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research Centers that are members of the CGIAR Consortium. It is also an autonomous intergovernmental association of African member countries.

Authority

The Rice Seed System Specialist will be embedded in the Program Management Unit (PMU) at the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and based in Monrovia. S/he will receive backstopping from AfricaRice senior experts in seed systems development. S/he will report directly to the Leader of the Rice Sector Development Program at AfricaRice and the Director of PMU.

The rice seed system specialist will work closely with the USAID Food and Enterprise Development (FED) project in Liberia, other relevant seed initiatives, seed producers, private seed companies and extension agencies. S/he will be a dynamic, hands‐on, results‐oriented person recruited by AfricaRice with input from USAID. A supervisory team will be established consisting of the USAID Activity Manager, the Leader of the Rice Sector Development Program at AfricaRice and the PMU Director.

ResponsibilitiesThe successful candidate will focus on collaborating to stimulate the development of a sustainable rice seed system in Liberia, in particular in USAID FED ‘Zones of Interest’ in Liberia. The incumbent will serve as long‐term seed system Technical Assistance (TA) providing expertise to fulfil the project mandate and coordinate with USAID partners to identify appropriate complementary short‐term TA to ensure the implementation of the following tasks:

1. Elaborate profiles and job descriptions for each type of service delivery agent in certifying the rice seed value chain including updating already existing profiles and job descriptions;
2. Develop and validate a curriculum for training of each type of service delivery agent needed in a certified rice seed value chain by elaborating on already existing materials;
3. Organize together with FED a group training of seed out-growers in good agricultural practices related to seed production, conditioning and management starting in year 1;
4. Organize group training of aspirant service delivery agents in the rice seed control and certification domain starting in year 2 ; the trainees include former trained persons who need to be refreshed;
5. Elaborate technical and auditing specifications across the seed value chain from seed breeders, seed multiplication, laboratory services, and certification domain;
6. Assess USAID FED centers which can serve as seed service providing centers;
7. Determine and support advancement of seed testing standards and protocols, specific tasks to be developed soon after approval of the Year 1 Work Plan;
8. Providing specifications of the laboratory, processing and storage facilities appropriate to the needs of the immature sector and within the scope of private investors and expertise available;
9. Undertake other duties as justified by the needs of key partners and AfricaRice.

Qualifications/Selection Criteria

Education:Post‐graduate degree in a relevant field.

Work Experience: Experience in seed systems development is essential; prior experience coordinating multiple stakeholders towards shared goals and objectives in particular in the area of seed systems development; working experience in Africa and knowledge of rice‐based systems are highly desirable.

Language

Proficiency in English language and excellent written and spoken communication skills are required.

Terms and Conditions

• This is aninternationally recruited position. However, AfricaRice reserves the right to offer an appointment at a lower level depending on experience, qualifications and skills of the successful candidate.
• AfricaRice provides an attractive salary and benefits package and a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment.
• The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility for renewal of one year.
• The normal retirement age for internationally recruited staff at AfricaRice is 65.

Application procedure

Expressions of interest (a full CV in MS Word format and supporting statement, including the names and addresses -telephone / fax / email- of three referees) should be directed in confidence to A.Kpadonou@cgiar.org with the vacancy reference in subject:**IRS/15/DPC/2015/09.**

Applications will be considered until Saturday, October 03, 2015.

AfricaRice is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence in our operations and particularly welcome qualified applications from women, people living with disabilities and developing countries.

AfricaRice thanks all applicants but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To learn more about us, please visit our website at

www.AfricaRice.org