Program Leader – Feed and Forages Biosciences

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a principal scientist to lead its new Feed and Forages Biosciences program. This leadership position is part of the Biosciences Directorate.
The appointee will develop and lead ILRI’s evolving and expanding portfolio of research in Feed and Forage Biosciences.
ILRI works with partners worldwide to enhance the roles that livestock play in food security and poverty alleviation, principally in Africa and Asia.
The outcomes of these research partnerships help people in developing countries keep their farm animals’ alive and productive, increase and sustain their livestock and farm productivity, find profitable markets for their animal products, and reduce the risk of livestock-related diseases. www.ilri.org
ILRI is a not-for-profit institution with a staff of about 700 and in 2014, an operating budget of about USD83 million.
A member of the CGIAR Consortium working for a food-secure future, ILRI has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, a principal campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and offices in other countries in East, West and Southern Africa and in South, Southeast and East Asia. www.cgiar.org
Responsibilities:

Lead the coordination of a complex multidisciplinary research program primarily directed towards genetic improvement of feed and forage species supporting livestock production, involving gene bank management, genomics, bioinformatics, tissue culture and plant genome modification, large-scale phenotypic evaluation, and end-user liaison for crop adoption.

Develop a Research Program, lead and manage an international team of molecular biologists, plant breeders and geneticists, and animal nutrition scientists addressing a range of research on livestock forages, and feeds sources, in developing countries.

Develop and implement a large-scale research program in Feed and Forage Biosciences.

Raise grant money for a sustainable research group.

Participate in the leadership group for the bioscience directorate.Requirements:

A PhD in Agriculture, with extensive experience in plant molecular biology, including forages molecular breeding, with a minimum of 10 years of experience post-PhD;

A passion for generation of scientific knowledge that advances pro-poor development;

A proven research record demonstrating experience in research design, quantitative and qualitative analytic methods and peer-reviewed outputs;

Extensive experience in areas including several of the following: molecular genetics and genomics, quantitative genetics, population genetics and applied plant breeding;

Excellent track record in leading and securing resource identification, facilitation of interactions within and between organizations, and will be an excellent communicator;

Creativity, adaptability and a willingness to work in a team context

Demonstrated ability to deliver multi-disciplinary research outputs and to initiate and manage cross-disciplinary research activities;

Demonstration of superior program planning, coordination and management skills across a range of physical locations;

Familiarity with aspects of livestock production, crop-livestock systems, and animal nutrition;

Strong English language skills, both written and spoken (proficiency in other languages is an advantage)Post location: The position is based at ILRI’s Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya or ILRI campus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Extensive travel to other countries and regions will be required.
Position level: The position is Principal Scientist Level.
Duration: 3 years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and continued funding.
Benefits:
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.
Benefits are tax free subject to compliance with tax regulations of country of citizenship.
Applications:
Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae: a list of publications and names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience should be included in the curriculum vitae.
The position title and reference number: PL/AB/08/14 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.
All applications should be submitted through our recruitment portal,ILRI vacancy: Program Leader – Feed and Forages Biosciencesby 24 September 2014.
To find out more about ILRI visit our websites at ILRI vacancy: Program Leader – Feed and Forages Biosciences
To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at ILRI vacancy: Program Leader – Feed and Forages Biosciences
ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.
Suitably qualified women and citizens of developing countries, with experience of working internationally, are particularly encouraged to apply.