Ethiopia: Post Doctoral Fellow, Using durum wheat and barley genetic diversity to adapt to climate change - Ethiopia

Bioversity International is a global research-for-development organization. We have a vision – that agricultural biodiversity nourishes people and sustains the planet.

We deliver scientific evidence, management practices and policy options to use and safeguard agricultural biodiversity to attain sustainable global food and nutrition security. We work with partners in low-income countries in different regions where agricultural biodiversity can contribute to improved nutrition, resilience, productivity and climate change adaptation.

Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR Consortium – a global research partnership for a food secure future.

For further information on Bioversity International, consult our Web page at: www.bioversityinternational.org

Context

Climate change is affecting food and nutrition security of Ethiopian farmers, particularly under marginal conditions (low and irregular rainfall, rising temperatures acid soils). Available genetic diversity of barley and durum wheat is an important resource to provide farmers with Climate-Smart, nutrient-dense landraces or improved materials, to sustainably increase yields under unfavourable conditions of Tigray, Oromiya and Amara regions.

In order to provide farmers with this superior material it is important to identify superior varieties through molecular characterization, nutritional profile, field trials for agro-morphological characterization and participatory variety selection looking in particular at heat stress, rainfall, soil acidity and pests and diseases related stresses. The material identified will enter into a participatory and decentralized breeding program aiming at engaging the farmers in further improvement of the material. However, we will be able to start the decentralized and participatory breeding in year 1 of the program, by using material already developed and characterized during previous projects. Some of the material that will go through stage 2 will be tested for official variety release in order to make them available to all seed actors as well. In order to ensure that seeds are timely available to farmers in right quantities and qualities we will enhance the seed multiplication and distribution by piloting different institutional approaches (CSBs, local entrepreneurial seed companies). Monitoring these pilot cases will provide insights into the capacity of each type of institution to handle diverse materials.

Main responsibilities

In this context, Bioversity is seeking a highly motivated Post Doctoral Fellow to provide coordination support to national partners to develop and implement a research agenda aiming at managing durum wheat and genetic diversity as a key asset to adapt to climate change. The position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with frequent travels within the Country, and will report directly to the Senior Scientist, Country Representative. More specifically, the incumbent will:

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  Contribute to coordination of research activities in the following areas:

  
  


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  characterization of wheat and barley Ethiopian germplasm;

  
  


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  promote participatory breeding to ensure adaptation to prevalent local conditions.

  
  


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  Develop protocols for characterization of wheat and barley germplasm.

  
  


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  Coordinate with partners to ensure the integration of results from different components of the project.

  
  


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  Develop data analysis protocols.

  
  


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  Provide support and train partners in data analysis.

  
  


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  Initiate and contribute to publication of project results using different media (blogs, newspaper/TV, peer review journal).

  
  


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  Present project results through presentations at workshops as needed.

  
  


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  Contribute to prepare project proposals as requested.

  
  


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  Support the project coordinator to prepare, in consultation with national partners, annual work plan and updates.

  
  

Qualifications and competencies

Essential qualifications & competencies:

• PhD in agrobiodiversity, agronomy, genetics, or statistics.


• Knowledge of wheat and barley biology and agronomy, breeding (particularly participatory breeding).


• Experience in participatory research methods.


• Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken.


• Strong analytical and synthesizing skills; ability to think and write clearly and concisely on scientific documents and research proposals.


• Strong teamwork, interpersonal and communications skills; courtesy, tact and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different cultural and national backgrounds.


• Highly developed skills with personal organization and priority setting.


• Ability to work with a high degree of independence within assigned areas, complemented by sound judgment and initiative, flexibility and adaptability.

Desirable qualifications and competencies:

• Experience in an international working environment, senior government officials, research institutes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities.


• Familiarity with Ethiopian Agricultural Research System.


• Experience in project management.


• Facilitation skills.


• Basic knowledge of Amharic.

Terms and conditions: This is an internationally recruited position. Bioversity International offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance, housing allowance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars. The initial contract will be for a period of two years, subject to a probationary period of six months.