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Post Title: CIAT
– PABRA Seed Business Development Specialist
Organisation: Pan
Africa Research Alliance (PABRA)
Location: Kawanda Agricultural Research Station, Kampala-
Uganda.
Background
Information:
The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT- www.ciat.cgiar. org) – a member of the CGIAR
Consortium (www.cgiar.org) – develops technologies, innovative methods, and new
knowledge that better enable farmers, especially smallholders, to make
agriculture competitive and profitable as well as sustainable and resilient.
CIAT conducts research for development in tropical regions of Latin America,
Africa and Asia.
Among various research areas, CIAT has a global mandate for
beans and in Africa, bean research is carried by the Pan Africa Research
Alliance (PABRA) which encompasses 3 regional bean research networks working to
improve the livelihoods of small scale bean farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
PABRA facilitates collaborative research for development
within and between the networks by providing a forum for collaboration of
multiple partners who include researchers, private sector involved in bean seed
and grain business, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based (CB)
and producers’ organizations (POs), universities and millions of farmers.
The alliance operates in 29 member countries, each
represented by its National Agricultural Research System (NARS). PABRA is
coordinated by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
PABRA facilitates access to quality seed of improved
varieties by millions of farmers across Africa through the various bean seed
production and delivery options based on prevailing seed systems and targeted
clients. For this purpose, PABRA is recruiting a Seed Business Development
Specialist. The position will be based at Kawanda Agricultural Research Station, Kampala- Uganda.
Role and
Responsibility
To enhance the capacities of seed and input suppliers to
provide quality seed of improved bean varieties and complementary inputs to
small-scale farmers in PABRA countries on a sustainable basis.
Main Job Tasks
The Seed Business Development Specialist (SBDS) will be
expected to provide the following collaborative services:
1. In partnership with seed producers, NARS and national
seed services and development partners, assess various client oriented bean
seed production and delivery options in PABRA member countries and identify
most effective ones (sole or combined) to be mainstreamed or tested further.
2. Carry out R4D for testing innovative seed production and
market
strategies such as the use of affordable packs, their
commercial viability and explore how the mainstream best practices across PABRA
countries.
3. Assess and explore institutional linkages in order to
sustain best seed systems practices and create synergetic actions for scaling
up of these best practices across several countries.
4. Collaborate with partners such as NARS to enhance
capacity of decentralized seed producers, particularly women involved in the production
of locally preferred bean varieties.
5. Provide advice related to business development services
to bean seed producers (individual seed entrepreneurs, farmer organizations,
seed companies and public enterprises/research farm) and stimulate private (small
and large) investment in bean seed production and delivery in business sound
manner.
6. Train bean seed producers/suppliers in specific areas
such as seed business management including production, post-harvest, marketing,
financial management, and strategy development.
7. Strengthen the seed component and facilitate its linkages
with other elements of the bean platforms across PABRA countries.
8. Document (reports and professional publications) on
improving the efficiency and sustainability of bean seed producers and supply
and share knowledge.
9. Design and conduct a sound Monitoring and Evaluation
(M+E) framework to capture relevant seed data and to document case studies.
Qualifications
• Strong background in seed business, agribusiness and
business administration at MSc / MA levels.
• Five (5) years practical experience in managing a seed
business is strongly preferred.
• Previous or current work on seed related activities in
Africa is an added advantage.
• In addition to good command of written and spoken English
language, an acceptable knowledge of French language will be added advantage.
Personal
Characteristics
• Ability to work both persuasively and diplomatically in a
team-based environment with a high degree of complexity.
• Exceptional drive and entrepreneurship, a pronounced
ability to motivate others.
• Hands-on problem-solver with strong analytical abilities.
• Organizational and business planning.
• Strategic thinking & creativity.
• Problem analysis and problem-solving.
• Team leadership & persuasiveness.
Terms of employment
The vacancy is an internationally recruited position. The
contract will be for a two year period, with a six month probation period,
renewable depending on performance. We offer a multicultural, collegial
research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. We believe
that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence.
How to apply;
Interested applicants should send their motivation letter, a
full C.V. including relevant certificates and one page essay on the main steps
and their sequence for developing the ability of seed suppliers to provide
quality seed of improved bean varieties and complementary inputs to small-scale
farmers on a sustainable basis. Additionally please send the names and contact
information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional
qualifications and work experience. Applications should be sent to Isabela , Botero
(i.botero@cgiar.org) at the CIAT Human Resources office and
ciatkenyainfo@cgiar.org by August 1st 2013
