The Agricultural Development Program is focused on improving rural livelihoods in Africa and South Asia by helping small holder farmers increase their yields and find markets for their products. The Science and Technology division of the Agricultural Development Program makes grants for research, development, and technology dissemination to improve the crops of the poor. These grants employ breeding, biotechnology, and improved agronomy to develop higher yielding, more nutritious crops that are resistant to plant diseases, pests, drought, and other stresses.

The SPO for Science and Technology will be responsible for identifying and developing projects worthy of grant support. Such projects will involve research and development to improve the crops that are most important to the poor in Africa and South Asia. This R&D may involve conventional plant breeding, improved crop management, molecular markers, and other tools of modern biotechnology. These projects may also involve improvements to seed production and delivery systems as well as applied and adaptive research (‘extension research’). The SPO also will manage existing grant relationships with partners engaged in these types of projects, supporting their efforts to meet specified milestones in their work plans.

Bill Gates recently spoke on our agriculture program at the World Food Prize. Click here to review the speech;

The SPO will oversee activities worldwide, and will lead efforts to partner with key research and product development partners including private companies, public and academic research facilities, and local breeding initiatives, working closely with grantees, colleagues, and consultants. He/she will also engage governments and private entities in the co-funding of key project initiatives,

The SPO will be expected to:

Identify, evaluate and seize new opportunities to reduce hunger and poverty through improvements to crop yields, seed systems, and crop management

Drive the establishment of partnerships between relevant institutions to define project objectives, work plans, budgets, and institutional arrangements

Develop (engage partners, structure deals, make funding decisions) and manage (serve on boards, provide intellectual and management counsel to key grantees, hold grantees accountable against rigorous performance standards) a portfolio of complex grants requiring high-level grant management skills, and monitoring and evaluation

Support and help manage co-chair and CEO learning in the area of agricultural development. Write and produce informative briefings and other materials on key issues for the team and co-chairs as appropriate. Accompany co-chairs on trips and to key meetings

Publicly represent the foundation with broad stakeholders including both public and private entities, grantee organizations, other funders, universities, think tanks, and other valued partners.

This position is located in Seattle. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits program that reflects the foundation’s values and culture. The foundation offers a comprehensive relocation program.

Please visit our website to learn more about the role and the foundation.