Research officer I – Field Genebank operation

Job Description

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT – INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

Research officer I – Field Genebank operation

REF: ROGO/FD/12/2025           

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Officer who facilitates and manages the forage germplasm conservation, regeneration, seed production and field activities at four field sites (Shola-Addis Ababa, Bishoftu, Zwai and Soddo) geographically dispersed across Ethiopia. He/she will be working as part of the genebank team in close collaboration with project staff in ILRI-Addis and reporting to the Genebank Manager.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centers dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org.

Key Responsibilities:

• Facilitate, coordinate and manage the day-to-day field genebank activities on germplasm conservation, seed production, seed drying and seed processing (threshing, cleaning, storage and dispatch).
• Manage the administration of the field genebank sites including managing petty cash payments, staff issues and maintenance of facilities.
• Coordinate field genebank activities such as conservation, regeneration, seed production and characterisation.
• Administer all field activities and resources including training and management of students, staff and visitors.
• Coordinate the collection and collation of data on morphological/phenotypic characterization of the forage germplasm collection including the preparation of monthly and specific reports.
• Summarize morphological and phenotypic data and contribute to result presentation, reporting and publications.
• Work with the genebank database management specialist in managing the genebank field data and updating the database on germplasm regeneration, field planting and plant removal or death.
• Follow up seedlings and plants in the screenhouses and field at the field sites.
• Identifying accessions for regeneration and seed multiplication and communicating with the Genebank Manager and the germplasm conservation team.
• Support drafting, revising and implementing Standard-Operating Procedures (SOPs), risk-management planning and other elements of the Quality-Management System in the field genebanks.
• Contribute to training on plant conservation and seed production.
• Contribute to documentation such as fact sheet and training materials.
• Establish and maintain relationship with partners
• Perform other duties as required

Academic and professional qualifications:

Education:

• MSc degree in agronomy, Plant Science, horticulture.

Experience:

• Three years’ experience in seed and forage production.

Skills:

• Good botanical knowledge for the accurate classification of forages
• Good working knowledge of both plant physiology, agronomy, and plant disease management
• Good knowledge of stress (both biotic and abiotic) physiology would be desirable
• Good knowledge and experience of farm operation management
• Knowledge and certification in the application and use of pesticides and herbicides would be an advantage
• Attention to detail and logical approach to scientific problem solving
• Ability to work independently and within a team setting
• Experience in staff supervision and timely accomplishment of tasks
• Experience with computer packages (word processing, spreadsheet, graphics and data management) and use of data management and analysis software (e.g., R software)
• Extension (seed production)
• Driving License
• Experience in teamwork and people management skills in a multicultural environment
• Excellent communications skills including verbal, written English and presentation skills;
• Excellent inter-personal skills, leadership skills and a proven networker
• Knowledge of computers and database/spreadsheet/word processing software

Duty Station:   Addis Ababa Ethiopia

Grade:  HG 13

Minimum Base Salary:  Birr 42,084 per month

Terms of appointment:  This is a National Staff (NS) position, initial appointment is for three years with the possibility of renewal, contingent upon individual performance and the availability of funding. The ILRI remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia includes a very competitive salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance, offshore pension plan, etc. The ILRI campus is set in a secure, attractive campus in Addis Ababa. Dining and sports facilities are located on site.

 

How to Apply

Applications:

 Applicants should provide a cover letter and curriculum vitae; names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to be included in the curriculum vitae. The position and reference number: REF: ROGO/FD/12/2025 should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the cover letter.

All applications to be submitted online on our recruitment portal: http://ilri.simplicant.com/ on or before 20 June 2025.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training).

Suitably qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

To find out more about ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org.

To find out more about working at ILRI visit our website at http://www.ilri.org/.