Job Description
The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises, of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

The Alliance works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

About the position

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is seeking a highly motivated Post Doctoral Fellow – Bean Program who will manage bean-crop on-farm trial networks in close consultation with breeding programs and relevant service organizations in East Africa and that such networks are implemented in at least two countries. In addition, the incumbent will also carry out complex conceptual analysis and derives insights that support the project and research advancement and contribute to the design, planning and execution of the work plans in the Bean research project.

Key duties & Responsibilities
Conceptualize innovative research approaches and develop methods and tools to document the outcomes of and lessons learnt from multi-stakeholder engagement and innovations processes (e.g., policy, capacity building, partnership, etc.).
Manage bean-crop on-farm trial networks in close consultation with breeding programs and relevant service organizations in East Africa and that such networks are implemented in at least two countries.
Coordinate with different national partners (extension agents, farmers groups etc.) for the effective implementation and collection of quality data of the on-farm trials and sparse testing for genomic selection.
Provide support to the national partners and supervise the effective implementation of on farm trials management and data collection.
Work closely with extensions agents, farmers, traders, NGOs, and government institutions.
Lead and manage projects related to climate change and bean cultivation, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Collect data through interviews, stakeholder consultations, and other means to assess the feasibility of implementing bean on-farm trial networks.
Work closely with the breeders in the field evaluation and selection of superior genotypes and breeding lines for advancement.
Support in data curation, data analysis and preparing summary tables.
Contribute to preparing regular (monthly or quarterly) or annual reports.
Coordinate the preparation and shipment of seeds of trials to the different partners.
Collect, analyze, and interpret agronomic and climatic data to assess the effectiveness of implemented strategies.
Develop and test with partners climate-smart agricultural practices and technologies suitable for bean farming systems.
Prepare technical and financial reports, research papers, and policy briefs to communicate findings to various audiences.
Prepare seasonal experimental land requirement plan and submit the request to Farm Unit and follow-up the proper allocation.
Contribute to the design of agreed rules to share seeds, resources and data between the stakeholders that constitute bean on-farm trial networks.
Contributes to and generates scientific publications.
Contribute to the preparation and implementation of the research work plan for the project.

Requirements
PhD degree in agronomy, crop physiology or Climate Science/GIS, or a related field.
At least seven (7) years of work experience in related field.
Expertise in agronomic practices and sustainable farming systems.
Proficiency in data analysis using different software and tools.
Proven experience in agricultural research, particularly in the context of on farm trials, climate change and sustainable farming systems.
Strong knowledge of climate-smart agriculture practices and technologies.
Experience in project management, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Excellent communication skills in English both written and spoken, including scientific communication and report writing – proficient in Kiswahili language will be an added advantage.
Excellent skills in teamwork, negotiation, communication, and diplomacy, with the ability to interact courteously and effectively with people at all levels in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment, including external stakeholders.
Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team environment.
Ability to translate research findings into practical recommendations for farmers and policymakers.
Experience working with National Agriculture Research Institutes, CGIAR or other international organizations, experience working in East and Central Africa will be an added advantage.
Terms of employmentRemote work opportunities

This is an internationally recruited position and will be based in Arusha, Tanzania. The initial contract will be for up to two (2) years, subject to a probation period of six (6) months and is renewable depending on the performance and availability of resources.

This position is graded at BG08 level, with a minimum basic annual salary of Usd44,248 per annum on a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance, retirement plan, staff training and development, paid time off and flexible working arrangements.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT is committed to fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number RFP300195-Doctoral Fellow – Bean Program as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name and first name for ease of sorting.

Applications closing date: Friday, 7th February 2025

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org