ILRI vacancy: Scientist – Livestock Genetics (Closing date: 25 November 2021)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Scientist to support the ongoing breed testing and develop chicken breed improvement programs in the tropics and build up the livestock genetics team in support of its on-farm and on-station activities in Africa (Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Nigeria) and Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar).

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 centres 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

Background

ILRI Tropical Poultry Genetic Solution program is multi-institutional public and private sector collaboration which provides better chickens to smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia. Part of the wider ‘LiveGene‘initiative, TPGS tests and makes available high-producing, farmer-preferred genotypes that increase smallholder chicken productivity in partnership with private sector poultry input providing (genetics, health and feed) companies. The program will improve chicken genetics and the delivery of adapted chickens to support poverty reduction, productivity growth, increased household animal protein intake, and the empowerment of women farmers in rural communities. Ensuring access by smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia to breeds with improved productivity while retaining much of their hardiness is a critical opportunity in helping to raise chicken productivity and increase the availability of affordable chicken products for sale and home consumption. In line with this, the proposed program aims to contribute to enhanced productivity of village chicken production systems and thereby contribute to livelihoods improvement of rural and peri-urban farming communities in (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar).

Key Responsibilities

• Provide support to the implementation of large-scale multi-country poultry innovation delivery programs in Africa and Asia;
• Develop and foster close relationships and linkages with key institutions to enhance regional livestock breeding research capacity;
• Contribute to the coordination of field data collection and feedback activities, working closely with both national and international research and development partners;
• Design, develop and maintenance of databases for poultry performance recording, monitoring and farmer feedback for use in developing countries;
• Contribute to the communication of related livestock genetics and breeding program work at ILRI work, e.g., through the preparation of ILRI publications such as working papers, policy briefs, technical reports, journal publications, conference papers and presentations at relevant fora;
• Contributing to the organization of conferences, seminars, and workshops organized or co-organized by the research team and program;
• Participate in relevant institutional committees.

Requirements

• PhD in livestock genetics and breeding
• At least 5 years of post-doctoral experience in poultry genetics, livestock breeding and/or animal science/breeding.
• Proven track record and experience in the knowledge of and establishment of breeding schemes and the application of selective breeding for improvement of productivity, preferably on indigenous livestock in the tropics
• Participation to multidisciplinary projects with health, breeding, nutrition components
• Experience in statistical software packages (e.g. SAS, STATA, R, SPSS, ASReml).
• Teamwork experience and track of leadership of technicians/researchers in a research environment.
• Experience in supervising and examination of graduate students
• Strong background and understanding of livestock physiology specifically reproduction in non-ruminant livestock
• Experience analyzing and interpreting quantitative genetics data
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain excellent working relations with project leaders, scientists and technical staff.
• Strong technical science writing and communication skills

Post location: The position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with frequent international travel expected both in African and Asian countries.

Terms of Appointment

This position is at job level HG 18 and it is open to both national and international applicants. The position is a 3-year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes; pension, medical and other insurances

Applications: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing their interest in the position, what they can bring to the role and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development through our recruitment portal http://ilri.simplicant.com/ above before 25 November 2021.

The position title and reference number: LG/10/2021 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the online application.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the 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). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.

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