V A C A N C Y    A N N O U N C E M E N T

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS
P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105;
E-mail: ICARDA-JOBS@CGIAR.ORG
Website: www.icarda.org
Wheat Breeder
Aleppo, Syria
The Organization
Established in 1977 as an autonomous, non-profit, international research center, ICARDA is one of the 15 international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Development Programme. ICARDA's mission is to contribute to the improvement of livelihoods of the resource-poor in dry areas by enhancing food security and alleviating poverty through research and partnerships to achieve sustainable increases in agricultural productivity and income, while ensuring the efficient and more equitable use and conservation of natural resources. With its main research station and headquarters in Aleppo, Syria, and a staff of over 500 scientists and support personnel, ICARDA works through a network of partnerships with national agricultural research systems (NARS), regional and international institutions, universities, advanced research institutes, and non-governmental organizations. In addition to its headquarters programs, ICARDA operates throughout the non-tropical dry areas through regional programs and country offices.

The Position
ICARDA shares the joint responsibility for the improvement of bread and durum wheat within Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) with CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center). The wheat breeding activities are conducted in the ICARDA-CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Program (ICWIP), and include a vigorous pre-breeding program exploiting the genetic variability in wheat and its wild relatives, for which the region is a centre of diversity. ICARDA is seeking a wheat breeder to be based at its headquarters in Aleppo, Syria.

The main responsibilities include:
•
 Breeding bread wheat for rainfed and irrigated environments in the dry areas of CWANA
•
 Wheat breeding in partnership with national programs and advanced research institutes
•
 Application of molecular marker-assisted selection
•
 Undertaking original research and publication of results
•
 Cooperation with scientists in other disciplines such as pathology, biotechnology, end use quality, agronomy and socio-economics in wheat improvement
•
 Participation in setting the institute's priorities in wheat research
•
 Providing training in wheat breeding to staff from national wheat programs, including provision of training materials
•
 Development of research proposals for potential donors and of technical research reports
•
 Representing ICARDA on wheat breeding in regional and international fora

The position is within the Biodiversity and Integrated Gene Management Program, reports to the Program Director, and is based at ICARDA's modern headquarters and main research station located near Aleppo, Syria.

Essential Qualifications and Competencies
•
 PhD in plant breeding;
•
 A minimum of 3 years experience on breeding, research and training, preferably on cereals;
•
 Experience in aspects of molecular plant breeding and biotechnology, particularly the application of marker-assisted selection;
•
 Demonstrated ability to design, implement and analyze field trials (e.g. multi location trials);
•
 Experience in aspects of stress physiology associated with breeding for drought and heat tolerance, preferably in cereals;
•
 Experience in breeding for disease resistance;
•
 Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment and to establish good working relationships with scientists in national programs;
•
 Fluency and good communication skills in written and spoken English;
•
 Proven record of research excellence, including publication record in international refereed journals;
•
 Willingness to undertake considerable international travel.

Desirable Qualifications and Competencies
•
 Work experience in developing countries;
•
 Knowledge of Arabic, or a second language such as French

Terms of Appointment
The appointment will be for an initial period of up to 31 January 2011 (including one year's probation), renewable thereafter on an annual basis. The salary is paid in US dollars. Benefits include housing allowance, paid home leave travel, a savings 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
Aleppo is Syria's second largest city. 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 and out of Damascus and Aleppo. In addition to the internationally-accredited School, ICARDA runs a Sports and Social Club for the staff.

Application
Qualified applicants are invited to send:
1-
Cover letter of interest (no more than 2 pages) highlighting the candidate's experience against the criteria listed under Qualifications and Competencies, including salary expectations and noting where the candidate saw the advertisement.
2-
Curriculum vitae
3-
Names, addresses, fax numbers and e-mail addresses of three professional referees (they will not be contacted without the candidate's permission),
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
              (If sending by e-mail, please do not include graphics or other large file attachments.)

REFERENCE: quote INT-RA/0811/09 on the application (or in the subject line if applying by e-mail).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 30 June 2009

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

Posted on 26 May 2009
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