Research Associate At International Potato Center

The International Potato Center (CIP) is looking for a dynamic and experienced Research Associate, to support the capacity building of stakeholders in the seed potato sector on the production of pathogen-free early-generation seed (EGS). The RA will support other projects including AID-I GLR (Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative in the Great Lakes) working on developing a vibrant seed system for sweetpotato and potato in Rwanda.

The Research Associate will be supervised by the Scientist-Agronomy and co-supervised by the Senior Research Associate-Agronomy and Seed Systems.

About CIP

CIP, a member of the One CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. One CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis, and it is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector.

Potato is a highly significant food crop in Rwanda and a valued cash crop. Smallholder farmers’ access to good quality seed potato is hampered by a weak formal system leaving the informal seed system to dominate the seed value chain in Rwanda. The potato value chain suffers from the limited capacity of the seed sector, poor coordination, and a lack of updated quality assurance mechanisms. Under the USAID-funded project, PASTTA II (Enhancing Uptake of Improved Potato Varieties through Quality Seed Potato Production and Delivery Mechanisms), CIP is working with public and private sector partners to enhance the production, promotion, and uptake of quality seed potato of new varieties through novel improvements in quality control and delivery mechanisms in the country.

About the role/ Key Responsibilities:

The Research Associate will support the implementation of a series of projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening seed value chains and quality control to improve farmers’ access to high-quality seeds and increase the productivity of potatoes and sweetpotato in Rwanda. More specifically, the Research Assistant will:

• Provide technical backstopping to public and private seed producers to ensure production and access to quality seeds of farmer-preferred potato varieties,
• Develop and implement plant diagnostic or prevention programs and plans, conduct, analyze, and interpret diagnostic results,
• Support seed quality control measures at the early generation seed (EGS) production facilities including alignment with the latest methods of disease diagnostics (e.g., LAMP assay, virus cleaning assays) and compliance with inspection and certification protocols,
• Support the deployment of rapid multiplication technologies (RMT) such as sand-hydroponics, aeroponics, rooted apical cuttings technology,
• Conduct evaluation trials of the RMT to determine performance under local conditions,
• Support CIP scientists in monitoring project activities, trials, data collection, data analysis, and publication,
• Liaise with project and administrative staff to ensure timely and effective project management and reporting, and
• Support CGIAR/ CIP- scientists with other project-based tasks that are relevant to the skillset.

What are we looking for?

• Master’s degree in Crop Protection, Biotechnology, Agronomy, or a related field
• At least 6 years of relevant work experience in a similar position.
• Ability to develop and implement plant diagnostic or prevention programs and plans.
• Excellent knowledge of the field and laboratory techniques involved in diagnosing diseases in plants preferably on potato, sweetpotato, or other vegetatively propagated crops.
• Good knowledge of seed production techniques, preferably for potato and/or sweetpotato.
• Experience with designing and managing trials under on-station and on-farm conditions.
• Experience with backstopping and/or training of seed producers and extension agents on quality control.
• Knowledge of database management and kills in statistical research analysis.
• Experience with digital data collection tools is an advantage.
• Strong communication and writing skills in English.
• Knowledge in Kinyarwanda and French is an advantage.
• Analytical Thinking.
• Planning & Organization.

Why should you consider this opportunity?

• CIP works with partners in over 20 countries to improve diets and incomes of poor people in Africa, Asia and Latin America through scientific research, innovation, and capacity strengthening.
• CIP’s programs seek to strengthen broader agri-food systems to generate economic, social and nutritional benefits for farmers, enterprises and consumers emphasizing the priorities of women and youth in particular.
• CIP emphasizes the synergies between social and bio-physical sciences as a core strategy for making breakthroughs in our understanding of complex development challenges in food and agriculture and for our ability to overcome these.

What are we offering?

• Excellent working environment.
• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience.
• Fixed term contract of 1 year with possibility of renewal.
• Work in an equal and diverse workplace.