Ref.: 11-41 PSSL/NRS/SWCA
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a highly motivated potato/sweetpotato sector leader to contribute to improving incomes and nutritional health of smallholder families in Bangladesh through innovations in potato, sweetpotato, and vegetable production, marketing, and consumption (a separate sector leader will be responsible for vegetables). This is a one-year USAID-funded agricultural project with strong potential for three additional years.
The sector leader will develop and implement strategic activities for strengthening the contribution of potato and sweetpotato to incomes and nutritional health through uptake of new varieties and other production technologies, value chain innovation, and changes in consumption patterns.
The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research, a network of 15 research centers mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.
The position: The sector leader will be located in Dhaka, but will be expected to travel to project “intervention hubs” in the southwest of Bangladesh and to supervise potato seed multiplication in the north. The sector leader reports administratively to the project’s chief of party (COP) and to the appropriate CIP program leader on specific technical aspects.
Duties and Accountabilities:
- Lead the design, development, implementation, and monitoring of potato and sweetpotato activities in the three main intervention hubs through:
- Supervising the technical activities of two potato/sweetpotato field coordinators
- Implementing trials, other types of interventions, and varietal dissemination in and around the hubs
- Ensuring local and regional participation in field-level interventions for technology uptake and impact at scale
- Address key potato/sweetpotato sector growth opportunities and constraints to increase subsistence consumption and market sales
- Support the development and strengthening of potato and sweetpotato producer organizations and value chains
- Collaborate with the vegetable sector leader to establish integrated actions in appropriate intervention hubs of the project
- Build partnerships between key government, civil society, business stakeholders, and local agricultural communities in pursuit of a stronger potato and sweetpotato sector
- Organize and conduct training/extension/technology dissemination activities to build and strengthen local capacity in ware and seed production, value chain participation, and food and nutrition security
- Contribute to development of training materials in the local language
- Conduct or participate in regular fieldwork to understand, assess, and make ongoing recommendations regarding potato and sweetpotato sector issues
- Coordinate the provision of seed of new potato/sweetpotato varieties to smallholder farmers
- Participate in project senior management activities, including meetings with USAID, government, and other stakeholders
- Prepare sector technical reports, publications, and presentations.
Selection Criteria:
- Advanced degree in agriculture-related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience managing research and/or development programs related to potato and/or sweetpotato in Bangladesh and/or South Asia.
- Experience with technical program development and participatory approaches.
- Experience in value chain analysis and demand-driven market linkages programs an advantage.
- Knowledge of USAID operations, programming, and structure a plus.
- Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and versatility.
- Strong analytical, communication, and planning skills.
- Fluency in English required; knowledge of Bengali a strong advantage.
Conditions: Employment contract will be for one year term with the possibility of renewal. Salary will be nationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.
Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full CV, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: cip-recruitment@cgiar.org. The reference name of the position should be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on 30 November, 2011 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Learn more about CGIAR and CIP by accessing web site at www.cipotato.org
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply
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