ILRI Scientist- Quantitative Genetics / Animal Breeding

Vacancy Number: SQG/BIOTECH/11/12
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 3-year contract renewable

Base salary depending on experience starting from USD 45,000 per annum. Total salary & benefits package circa USD 90,000 (tax free*)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia.www.ilri.org.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

ILRI seeks to recruit a Scientist; Quantitative Genetics / Animal Breeding to provide quantitative genetic and statistical inputs in projects designed to identify appropriate livestock breeds and breed combinations for ruminant livestock production systems found in developing countries.

Responsibilities

1)    Project management

• Lead and manage projects and field activities, working closely with both national and international research and development partners.
• Prepare budgets and monitor their use in the project cycle.
• Assess and pilot the feasibility and appropriateness of animal genetic resource (AnGR) models working with partners on gender dimensions, farmer business and organizational strategies and potential constraints to adoption Work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams in a developing country setting.

2)    Scientific contributions and expected outputs

• Apply existing and new conceptual frameworks to identify pro-poor opportunities for improving AnGR in the associated value chains
• Database for ruminant livestock performance recording, monitoring and farmer feedback for use in developing countries.
• Publish syntheses of studies and literature around topical issues affecting AnGR improvement, utilization and development in developing countries.
• Publish research results in peer- reviewed journals, conference proceedings or other public media.

3)    Capacity building

• Supervise MSc and PhD students from different countries on relevant topics.
• Train trainers in developing countries to improve their understanding and strengthen their skills to implement sustainable AnGR improvement projects.
• Train team members and partners in quantitative genetics and statistical analyses.
• Coordinate and facilitate scientific exchanges with partners from both developed and developing countries to enhance practical skills in AnGR utilization under developing country conditions.

4)    Communication and representation

• Contribute to preparing strategic communication products relevant to AnGR in developing countries.
• Participate in the communication of Biotechnology and ILRI work, e.g. through preparation of ILRI publications such as working papers, policy briefs, technical reports, journal publications, conference papers and presentations at relevant fora.
• Facilitate workshops and meetings for specific projects (ILRI-SLU, EADD, DGEA).

5)    Partnerships

• Work to strengthen existing partnerships, and identify new beneficial partnerships.
• Establish and maintain professional contacts, and interact with both national and international officials and experts, other researchers, international organizations, development partners, and stakeholders in AnGR.

6)    Resource mobilization

• Lead and contribute to the development of research for development proposals for funding.

7)    Team management

• Guide and supervise research technicians working in various projects.
• Enhance the capacity of team members in response to existing needs and emerging challenges in AnGR.
• Support and strengthen capacity of Post Doc Scientists within the team.

8)    Institutional development

• Contribute to the development of strategies to better support pro-poor livestock improvement in developing countries.
• Contributing to the organization of conferences, seminars, and workshops organized or co-organized by the research team.
• Participate in relevant institutional committees.

Requirements

• PhD. in Quantitative Genetics / Animal Breeding, with more than 5 years post-doctoral working experience at an international  or regional level
• Proven science  communication, teaching and mentoring skills
• Strong capabilities in quantitative analysis, with demonstrated experience in mixed model methodologies, especially experience with the use of ASREML
• Strong competency in at least one statistical package, such as SAS, R or GenStat
• Demonstrated ability to effectively   communicate research results in the form of reports or scientific publications, in English.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise a research group, mentor young researchers,  team- play, network,  prioritize, deliver under pressures,  and  within set  deadlines
• Good knowledge of developing country livestock production and systems, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia regions.
• Strong compete in livestock database design, management and use

Position level: The position is Scientist/Research Level 1 or 2,  dependent on qualifications and experience.

Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.

Post location: The position is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

Terms of appointment: ILRI offers a competitive international remuneration and benefits package which includes: – 15% Pension – Medical insurance for staff and dependents – Life insurance – Education allowance for children – Housing allowance – Relocation Allowance – Annual Home leave – Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days+public holidays.
*Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.

Applications procedure: Applicants should address a cover letter and CV to Human Resource Director explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. email applications to ilri-SQG@cgiar.org by 30 November 2012. The position reference number ‘SQG/BIOTECH/11/12’ must be clearly indicated in the email subject line.

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website athttp://www.ilri.org/ilricrowd/

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.

Suitably qualified women and citizens of developing countries with experience of working internationally are particularly encouraged to apply.