The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security on a sustained basis in developing countries through scientific research and related activities on potato, sweetpotato and other root and tuber crops, and on the improved management of natural resources in the Andes and other mountain areas.

CIP is a Future Harvest Center supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). CIP headquarters are in Lima, Peru and its regional headquarters in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are in Nairobi, Kenya.

CIP scientists are also based in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.

In Ghana, CIP offices are located at CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kumasi, and at CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institutute, Tamale. Our efforts in the region are focused on research for the improvement of the resilient, nutritious sweetpotato for health.

Job Summary

The International Potato Center (CIP) is a research centre that seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security on a sustained basis in developing countries through scientific research and related activities on potato, sweetpotato, and other root and tuber crops and on the improved management of natural resources in the Andes and other mountain areas.

The Sweetpotato for Profit and Health Initiative (SPHI) is a 10-year, multi-partner initiative that seeks to reduce child malnutrition and improve smallholder incomes through the effective production and expanded use of sweetpotato.  It aims to build consumer awareness of sweetpotato’s nutritional benefits, diversify its use, and increase market opportunities, especially in expanding urban markets of Sub-Saharan Africa.   The SPHI is the outcome of a comprehensive consultative process initiate by CIP, and is co-convened by CIP and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and supported by multiple partners.

The Sweetpotato Action for Security and Health in Africa II (SASHA) is in a second five-year phase of project of the SPHI designed to improve the food security and livelihoods of poor families in Sub-Saharan Africa by exploiting the untapped potential of sweetpotato.  It is working to develop the essential capacities, products and methods to reposition sweetpotato in food economies of Sub-Saharan African countries to alleviate poverty and undernutrition.  Major funding for SASHA has been provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Under the first phase of SASHA a sub-regional Sweetpotato Support Platform was established at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Kumasi, to provide the organizational and management structure for developing long-term breeding skills in Africa, for Africa. A CIP regional breeder was been posted to CRI to help implement a sweetpotato breeding program focusing on a) pre-breeding for non-sweet, high dry matter and processing characteristics preferred by West African consumers, b) variety development and dissemination in partnership with national programs and c) strengthening seed systems.  Additional breeding and seed projects have recently been added to complement the portfolio. An assistant breeder is required to help with implementation of this program in Ghana under the supervision of the CIP Regional Breeder.

Specific duties will include:

•   Assist with management of all aspects of the breeding program, including maintenance and multiplication of germplasm, hybridization, trial planting and management at multiple sites, sample management for quality assessment, data collection, analysis and reporting.
•   Work in close coordination with CSIR-CRI and CIP researchers, technicians, students and other national program and producer partners in support of program objectives.

Qualification Required & Experience

The successful candidate should have or be:

•   Minimum of MS degree in plant breeding, agronomy or similar appropriate subject matter area
•   At least 3 years of relevant work experience, preferably managing trials in an applied breeding program
•   Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
•   Methodical, organized and results-oriented
•   Competent driver with current valid driving licence
•   Ability to work independently and to take initiative when sorting out problem issues
•   Competent in data collection, management and analysis, and computer literate in Word and Excel
•   Knowledge of French desirable

Location: Kumasi

How To Apply For The Job

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position under the supervision of a CIP scientist at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute in Kumasi, Ghana and is on a 2-year contract with the possibility of renewal.

Please provide letter of interest, CV and contacts for references to:-

Leticia Boakye,
CIP c/o CSIR-CRI,
P.O. Box 3785,
Fumesua, Kumasi

or by email to: L.boakye@cgiar.org and copy to m.zakaria@cgiar.org by November 11, 2015.

Closing Date: 11 November, 2015

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage women to apply for this position.