INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS (ICARDA)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED GENE MANAGEMENT

Aleppo, Syria

The Organization

ICARDA is a non-profit international agricultural research center in a worldwide consortium of 15 centers, supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The CGIAR is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). With a staff of over 400 scientists and support personnel, representing more than 45 nationalities, ICARDA addresses two key areas of agricultural research: germplasm improvement (cereals and legumes) and natural resource management. The Center has a global mandate for barley, lentil and faba bean improvement, and a regional mandate for the improvement of wheat, chickpea and forage and pasture legumes. A major emphasis is placed on the conservation and management of land and water, and improved productivity of small ruminants in integrated farming systems in the dry areas. The Center’s research and training programs are implemented in partnership with national programs and, in most cases, with other CGIAR centers as well as advanced research institutes in both developing and industrialized countries.

The Position

The Director of the Integrated Gene Management MegaProject (MP2) reports to the Director General, through the Assistant Director General (Research), and is based at ICARDA’s modern headquarters and main research station located in a rural setting 30 km from Aleppo, Syria.

The Director is responsible for the overall management and supervision of a multidisciplinary team of some 15 international senior scientists and 70 support staff working on the conservation, improvement and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity, including barley, lentil, faba bean, kabuli chickpea, and forage legumes. The Program works closely with the Center’s Seed Unit on the adoption of genetic material by farmers. The team includes experts in the areas of genetics, plant genetic resources, plant breeding, plant pathology, virology, entomology, molecular biology and in vitro culture, and nutritional quality. The Program's overall goal is to assist the national agricultural research systems (NARS) in achieving sustainable increases in the productivity of mandate crops while protecting the resource base. The Director is expected to:

• develop and ensure the implementation of sound research strategies for genetic enhancement of ICARDA mandate crops for different target environments

• develop strong linkages between molecular genetics such as genomics and other modern biotechnological tools and traditional plant breeding

• develop project proposals and canvass for program funds; manage and adjust the program resources to ensure efficient execution of research and training activities within a budgetary ceiling

• serve as a member of the management team of the Center, assist in the development of policies and the recruitment and evaluation of staff

• develop and implement appropriate training activities for the Program

• monitor and produce quality technical reports and documentation as required, and disseminate research findings and appropriate technology

• establish links with relevant research institutions and research scientists worldwide

Qualifications and Experience

• Earned PhD in agriculture, preferably in an aspect of crop enhancement

• Minimum of 15 years experience in agricultural research, preferably in the dry areas, including at least five years experience in research management

• Proven record of scientific excellence, demonstrated managerial capabilities in leading and motivating multidisciplinary research teams, and ability to provide leadership in inter-institutional collaborative research

• Experience in developing project proposals for funding, ability to represent the Program and Center in regional and international forums, and extensive international experience in agricultural development

• Fluency in spoken and written English; knowledge of Arabic and/or French will be an advantage.

Terms of Appointment

The salary is paid in US dollars. Benefits include housing allowance, paid home leave travel, a pension scheme, life and health insurance package, vehicle for business and personal use, and free enrollment for dependent children in the ICARDA-administered international school (KG–Grade 12).

Living in Syria

ICARDA’s headquarters is situated 30 km south of Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city. In addition to the internationally-accredited school, ICARDA runs a Sports and Social Club for the staff. Syria has many historical and archaeological sites, some a short drive from Aleppo. There are four distinct seasons and the terrain varies from desert to mountains to fertile fruit orchards. Major international airlines fly into Damascus and Aleppo.

Method of Application

Qualified applicants should download and complete the ICARDA employment application form (MS Word or PDF), and send with a recent photograph and any other relevant supporting documents (non-returnable) to:

Personnel Services
ICARDA, P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Telephone: (963-21) 2213477, 2225112, or 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105, or 5744622
E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG
Website: http://www.icarda.org

NOTE

1. If sending by e-mail, please do not include graphics or other large file attachments.

2. Quote reference INT-P/0617/06 on application (or in subject line if applying by e-mail).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 18 May 2006, or until the suitable candidates are identified.

ICARDA is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages applications from women.

Applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

20 April 2006