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Program Leader – Feed and Forages Biosciences

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Program Leader to establish and lead its new Feed and Forages Biosciences program. This leadership position is part of the Biosciences Directorate.

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 (www.cgiar.org) 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.

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 to keep their animals alive and productive, to increase and sustain overall productivity, find profitable markets for their products, and reduce the risk of livestock-related diseases. www.ilri.org
ILRI currently has strong animal and pathogen molecular and genetics activities, it also has a unique forage genebank and activities in feed utilization. The appointee will build-on and synergise with this expertise to build a world class feeds and forage research program to sustainably improve quality and availability of livestock feed. An important component will be building strong relationships with national and international partners.

Responsibilities:
  • Lead the establishment of a multidisciplinary research program directed towards genetic improvement (productivity, disease resistance, environmental adaptation, utilization) of feed and forage species supporting livestock production. This will involve management of the existing forage gene bank and use of its resources, genomics, bioinformatics, tissue culture and plant genome modification, large-scale phenotypic evaluation, and end-user liaison for crop adoption;
  • Lead and manage an international team of molecular biologists, plant geneticists, and animal nutrition scientists addressing a range of research on livestock forages, and feeds sources, in developing countries;
  • Secure a funding stream for a sustainable research group;
  • Ensure close and effective collaboration with a range of partners;
  • Participate in the leadership group for the bioscience directorate.
Requirements:
  • A PhD in plant molecular genetics or a related subject, with extensive experience in plant molecular biology, including forages molecular breeding, and a minimum of 10 years of experience post-PhD;
  • A passion for generation of scientific knowledge that advances pro-poor development;
  • A strong research record demonstrating excellence in research design and analysis in some of the following: molecular genetics and genomics, quantitative genetics, population genetics, applied plant breeding;
  • Excellent record of high quality publication and resource mobilization;
  • Experience of forming and leading dispersed and multi-disciplinary teams;
  • 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 will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on ILRI main campus. Significant travel to other countries and regions will be required.

Position level: The position is Principal Scientist, dependent on qualifications and experience.
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/09/14 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.

All applications should be submitted through our recruitment portal, http://ilri.simplicant.com by 17 October 2014.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.