THE ORGANIZATION

The Alliance of Bioversity International delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

The Alliance works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

About the position

The Senior Research Assistant will support the design and implementation of Alliance activities according to project annual work plans and budgets to deliver the expected outputs and outcomes in integrated Crop Management (ICM). In addition to regular monitoring of activities, the Senior Research Assistant will be expected to contribute to routine reports as stipulated in the project agreement document.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Support to the bean breeding program initiatives under various projects, including setting up laboratory, on-station and on-farm trials, seed multiplication and on-farm demonstration fields.
• Collect primary data on research sites, biophysical and socio-economic data.
• Support in building capacities of stakeholders; farmers, field officers and other bean value chain actors
• Contribute in evaluating and documenting innovative common bean ICM strategies to facilitate learning, knowledge sharing and scaling up the efficient and sustainable strategies.
• Assist the CIAT Research Team in the planning and follow-up of research for development activities, including monitoring of milestones and in the preparation of regular technical and narrative reports.
• Together with the CIAT Research Team generate appropriate communication materials to reflect the work of CIAT and its partners under various projects.

Requirements

• Diploma in Agriculture of plant sciences. 
• Four years work experience in a breeding program
• Knowledge of common bean diseases and pests would be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in computer: Word, Excel and web-based communications
• Good inter-personal skills and demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment, both independently and in a team setting.
• Highly organized, with attention to detail and demonstrating a high degree of accuracy and reliability when providing/checking information.
• Demonstrate high level of integrity.
• Good communication skills with a positive attitude and a good service orientation
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Commitment to CIAT’s mission and core values.

Terms of employment

This position is a nationally recruited position based in Lilongwe, Malawi. The initial contract will be for one year subject to a probation period of three months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources.

This position is graded at BG05 level, with a basic salary of 524,813 MWK in a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance, retirement plan, staff training and development, paid time off and flexible working arrangements.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number REF: 103400-SENIOR RESEARCH ASSISTANT (AGRONOMY) as the position applied for. Cover letter and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting. The Alliance collects and process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Applications closing date: 13th December 2023

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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