Legume Seed System Technician CIMMYT

Description
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org

CIMMYT is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated, and service-oriented professional for the position of Legume Seed System Technician. This position will support the implementation of activities on the Legume/Maize seed component of the AIDI project providing technical support to NGOs and private seed companies to achieve project outputs and outcomes. The incumbent will work for the Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) project, Zambia Country-based activities.

AID-I is a Feed the Future (FtF) Activity jointly implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State (DOS). It targets farming communities in vulnerable regions and expands partnerships where USAID and last-mile partners already work. Managed by USAID/Bureau for Resilience and Food Security (RFS), the AID-I Activity aims to address the global food and fertilizer price crisis by bringing together existing networks of last-mile partners, including governments, research organizations, private sector businesses, and development NGOs to coordinate rapid action and enhance market-led delivery channels to reach millions of smallholder farmers quickly with demand-driven innovations and information.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Assist seed companies, CBOs, and NGOs in developing seed road maps for legume seed scaling to meet certified seed demand for target beneficiaries.
Liaises with project partners and other stakeholders in the seed industry in Zambia/Malawi on an ongoing basis to ensure the project maintains its relevance in supporting and meeting the needs of targeted beneficiaries.
Facilitate the production of certified seed and distribution in the target zones.
Support other seed system specialists and scientists in engaging seed producers to develop sustainable seed networks and markets.
Support capacity building of the seed sector partners.
Provide technical support to NGOs and private seed companies on pre-basic and essential seed production.
Support the promotion of quality seed along with sustainable intensification practices.
Support NGOs and private seed companies to mount demonstrations and collect data for monitoring and learning.
Estimate the available pre-basic, basic, and certified seeds in the market.
Assist in compiling monthly, quarterly, and annual reports related to the project activities.
Assess and analyze legume seed value chains in the target project districts, identify policy intervention nodes along the chain, and recommend appropriate policy measures to concerned public organizations.
Assist in organizing annual reviews and planning meetings and other workshops.
Perform any other tasks and assignments related to the program as assigned or required by the supervisor.
Requirements
BSC/MSc in Agriculture or related fields and at least 3-5 years of relevant experience in legume and maize seed systems, seed production, agronomy, or related field.
Knowledge in seed production and breeding, extension, or related field.
Experience in working with the public and private seed sectors.
Experience in working with smallholder farmers, NGOs, and CBOs.
Good communication skills.
Familiar with the implementation variety of demonstrations and promotions.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to work in a team of researchers, private seed companies, and extension workers.
Valid Driver’s License.
Benefits
Private Health Insurance
Pension Plan
Paid Time Off
Work From Home
Training & Development