Director, Biosciences east and central Africa-ILRI Hub

Director,
Biosciences east and central Africa-ILRI Hub
REF: BECA-DIR/03/2013

Based in Nairobi, Kenya with extensive travel throughout the African continent

We are seeking a dynamic director to lead a highly successful USD10 million capacity building and research programme in plant and animal biosciences and take it to the next level

The ideal candidate will be a citizen of an African country, have worked in and for Africa, be a credible and influential leader and have extensive networks throughout the African continent. S/he will have excellent research management and capacity building skills and a track record of securing large scale funding for capacity building and research.

About ILRI

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 by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.www.cgiar.org.

About the BecA-ILRI Hub: Mobilizing biosciences for Africa’s development

ILRI hosts and manages the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA-ILRI Hub), which supports research and capacity development in modern plant and animal biology for the development of Africa’s agriculture. The BecA-ILRI Hub is an initiative developed by ILRI and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) of the African Union (AU) and supported financially by a group of key international donors. The BecA-ILRI Hub's mission is to mobilize science for Africa’s development, by providing a centre for capacity development for African scientists in agricultural biosciences, supporting research conducted by scientists in Africa for Africa, and empowering African institutions to harness innovation for regional impact.

The BecA-ILRI Hub facilities are world class, including a range of molecular, plant transformation, and genomics laboratories and equipment (next generation sequencing, biosafety level 3 laboratories and plant transformation facilities). The Hub hosts and conducts research in crop, microbe and livestock areas where new developments in science offer promises to address problems constraining Africa’s development. Capacity building is a major goal of all activities, with more than 100 trainees, MSc and PhD students embedded in the Hub. The research activities cover agriculture and food security and their intersections with human health and nutrition, as well as the sustainable use of Africa’s natural resources. Further information is available athttp://hub.africabiosciences.org/

Position Scope

The BecA-ILRI Hub Director provides strategic leadership, scientific input and efficient management. The Director will lead the execution of the business plan for the Hub, from implementation of the research and capacity development activities, financial and human resources mobilization to support an evolving agriculture biotechnology agenda and building strategic partnerships. The BecA-ILRI Hub's activities mainly cover countries in eastern and central Africa (Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Republic of Congo, São Tome and Principe, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) and are extending to other sub-regions in Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute the 2013-2015 Business plan, implementing the capacity development and research agenda of the Hub in order to advance biotechnology for Africa’s agriculture development; and ensure financial sustainability for the hub.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality research outputs and scientific capacity development aligned with the Africa's Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) agenda of applying biosciences research and development to help achieve the goals of AU/CAADP, and those of ILRI and other CGIAR centres.
• Manage the staff of the BecA-ILRI Hub.
• Support resource mobilization activities including donor relations and proposal development, in collaboration with the Biosciences Directorate science leaders.
• Build strong synergies between the BecA-ILRI Hub and other programmes, including the CGIAR, that facilitate access to and conduct of scientific research on the Hub platform.
• Partner with ILRI Biosciences in developing joint opportunities with African partners on the application of biosciences to improve livestock productivity.
• Collaborate with members of ILRI’s science leadership team in building a partnership engagement strategy for biosciences, and in strengthening strategic partnerships with institutions and organizations in Africa and globally.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education

• PhD in biological sciences or related field.

Key competencies and experience

• A minimum of 6 years relevant work experience in Africa with a track record of engaging national research institutions and universities.
• Experience in developing and integrating new technologies and platforms to a range of research programs.
• Demonstrated experience and success in developing partnerships with a wide range of research and development institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate funding agreements to support capacity development and research activities.
• Proven skills in the development and management of capacity development programs to support the application of biosciences for delivery of development outcomes.
• Record of outstanding management, mentoring and people skills.
• An established record of research achievements, including a substantive history of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent oral and written communication capabilities and interpersonal skills. Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of French would be an advantage.

Position level: The position is director level 6A. The position will report to the Director General and serve as a member of ILRI’s Biosciences leadership team.
Position location: The position will be based at ILRI’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya with extensive travel to other countries.
Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal contingent upon individual performance and funding. Terms of appointment: ILRI offers a competitive international and salary and benefits package which includes 15% Pension - Medical insurance - Life insurance –and allowances for: – Education – Housing – Relocation – Home leave - Annual holiday entitlement of 30 days + public holidays.

How to apply:

Applicants should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of publications and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. Applications should be sent to the Human Resources Office by email: ilri-Beca-Dir@cgiar.org . The position title and reference number: BECA-DIR/03/2013 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the online application.