Crops for the Future Vacancy Announcement

Crops for the Future is a small international non-profit organization working to promote underutilized crops for the benefit of the poor and the environment. Its focus is the collection, synthesis and provision of information and knowledge about neglected and underutilized plant species and their current and potential roles in people’s livelihoods and the environment. For more information on Crops for the Future, please visit www.cropsforthefuture.org.

Crops for the Future evolved from the International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC) and the Global Facilitation Unit for Underutilized Species (GFU) and is hosted by Bioversity International (www.bioversityinternational.org) at its Asia, Pacific and Oceania Regional Office in Serdang, Malaysia in a joint venture with the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (www.nottingham.edu.my).

Crops for the Future is now seeking a well qualified candidate for the position of:

Global Coordinator

Based in Serdang, Malaysia the Global Coordinator will lead the development of Crops for the Future with responsibility for implementing the organization’s strategy and overseeing the development and implementation of an agreed work programme. The coordinator will have day to day responsibility for management of the organization’s staff and finances and will oversee the implementation of Crops for the Future projects around the world. Working under the oversight of the Crops for the Future Board and in close collaboration with Bioversity International and University of Nottingham the Coordinator will lead a small Secretariat and have the following key responsibilities:

• Develop a resource mobilization strategy and actively engage in fund raising and donor contacts to further develop Crops for the Future’s work programme and resource base;
• Lead the development and implementation of an integrated monitoring impact and learning strategy for Crops for the Future;
• Support and oversee the implementation of specific Crops for the Future projects
• Actively engage in relevant professional fora (such as the International Society for Horticultural Sciences, the Global Horticulture Initiative, the Platform for Agrobiodiversity Research, the Global Forum for Agricultural Research and its regional and subregional organisations) and help coordinate underutilized crop-related matters, as appropriate;
• Continue where appropriate GFU’s and ICUC’s ongoing commitments, in particular the coordination of the project “Coalition to Diversify Income from Underused Plants (CoDI – www.codi-asia.net)
• Maintain and promote good collaborative relationships with the institutional partners of GFU and ICUC, and especially with Bioversity International and University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, and further develop new partnerships as appropriate;
• Engage in policy advocacy through participation in relevant fora and contacts to relevant decision makers, such as the UN Commission for Trade and Development, FAO-Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources, European Commission;
• Commission and supervise studies to increase the global knowledge base on underutilized crops, especially on their role in nutrition & health, climate change and income generation, and ensure results are published in appropriate outlets (peer-reviewed journals, conferences, popular press, etc.);
• Oversee the work of and provide leadership to staff of the Secretariat and to other consultants and staff working for Crops for the Future;
• Oversee the financial management of Crops for the Future
• Serve as Secretary to the Crops for the Future Board.

Essential qualifications and competencies:

• PhD degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional qualification; education and experience in international affairs relevant to underutilized crops (e.g., agriculture, post-harvest, economics/marketing, policy, development);
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in research and programme management; including professional experience in several developing countries through long-term engagements;
• Demonstrated competency in communication and interpersonal skills, including extensive ability to motivate, inspire and promote team-work through negotiation and consensus-building and experience in diverse teams and in cross-cultural settings;
• Demonstrated competency in managing people in multiple locations,
• Highly organized, good people manager who provides leadership and direction;
• Demonstrates a proactive, flexible and creative approach and good judgment in making strategic and management decisions;
• Demonstrates originality, innovation and tenacity in problem solving;
• Demonstrated track record of raising funds for large international programmes.
• Excellent English, both written and spoken and working knowledge of another international language; knowledge of other international languages is desirable
• Willing to engage in extensive foreign travel (30-40% time);

Terms and conditions: The appointee will be a staff member of Bioversity International. Bioversity International offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement plan, housing allowance, medical insurance and leave provisions. All benefits are denominated and paid in US Dollars. The initial contract will be for a period of three years subject to a probationary period of one year. Secondment arrangements would be acceptable.

Applications: A letter of application (responding to the required qualifications and competencies) and curriculum vitae in English, including date of birth, gender and nationality, with names and full contact details of at least three referees, including telephone, fax and email address, and two writing samples (maximum of five pages each) should be sent to Human Resources Office, Bioversity International, Via dei Tre Denari 472/a, 00057 Maccarese, Rome, fax (39) 06 6118341; or preferably online through the following link: Bioversity Employment Opportunities Webpage

Closing date for applications: 18 October 2009

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We are an equal opportunity employer and strive for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

All applications will be acknowledged, but only short listed candidates will be contacted

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