Planet Under Pressure takes place this week – a major event focusing on solutions to the global sustainability challenge, leading up to Rio+20 in June 2012.

Bioversity International is organizing a live web-cast for us all to be there and contribute – see the message from Bioversity International’s web site

To mark the event, why not join Bioversity International for a live chat ‘Agricultural Biodiversity and our Planet‘ on Tuesday 27 March at 14:00 from Rome, Italy (Central European Summer Time – CEST) which you will be able to follow live from this page. Check out the International Time Converter.

Our expert panel – Emile Frison, Bruce Cogill, Fabrice DeClerck and Stephan Weise – will respond to questions and comments about how agricultural biodiversity can contribute to the global sustainability challenge and improve nutrition and livelihoods in smallholder farming communities.

As well as opportunities to contribute questions and comments during the event, we are also now taking advance questions through Twitter – #abdchat

[please also refer to our earlier post: http://www.cropsforthefuture.org/?p=1192]

To feed a rapidly increasing population it is crucial to tap into the full range of traits in the diversity of crop varieties and their wild relatives that have been selected over thousands of years for a multiplicity of conditions and qualities.

Under the supervision of the Director, Understanding and Managing Biodiversity Programme, and based at the Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, the incumbent will:
- Provide scientific leadership, coordination and facilitation of research to overcome constraints to the enhanced use of plant genetic resources. More specifically, having in-depth expertise in at least one of the areas listed below, the Senior Scientist will build the necessary links to develop a cohesive programme of work encompassing all four areas:
1. Identifying and understanding the extent and distribution of genetic diversity in agricultural biodiversity, particularly of crop plant genetic resources and wild populations of useful plants;
2. Developing ways of sampling and monitoring genetic diversity applicable to evaluating the status and trends of important genepools;
3. The application of molecular genetics and genomics tools to enhance theeffectiveness and efficiency of both conservation and use of genetic resources;
4. Promoting the use and deployment of genetic diversity through activities such as prebreeding and base broadening of cultivars under production and promoting links to more general plant breeding, including breeding by farmers.
He/she will be expected to further develop such a research agenda, to be implemented in collaboration with national partners and other institutions;
- The Senior Scientist will play a key role in the development of fundraising proposals to support collaborative research in this area, as well in development the capacity of partners;
- As a member of the Sub-Saharian Reginal Office, he/she is expected to be an excellent team player and to contribute to the delivery of outputs at regional level.

Qualifications and Competencies:
Essential qualifications and competencies:
- A PhD in genetics or conservation genetics with an emphasis on plant populations, or in plantbreeding.
- At least ten years of experience working with research partners on topics related toagrobiodiversity and plant genetic resources; preferably research experience on the subject of biodiversity and the use of genetic resources; applied field experience in developing countries.
- Broad knowledge about modern genetics/genomics technologies and their potentials to contribute to research themes related to the use of plant genetic resources.
- Knowledge about population genetic structure and dynamics and their relevance to use (breeding) and conservation/monitoring.
- Knowledge of research methods, including methods for genetic diversity assessment, germplasm enhancement, crop improvement and population genetics and their application in use- related programmes.
- Demonstrated competency in communication and interpersonal skills complemented by a commitment to and demonstrated track record of working within multi-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments.
- Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written.
- Demonstrated ability to write proposals and generate funds for research.
- A substantial and sustained record of achievement and innovation through project development, implementation and delivery of results and demonstrated publication record.

Desirable qualifications and competencies
- Knowledge of CGIAR system will be an advantage.
- Working knowledge of Spanish, French, Arabic or Russian.
- Experience and networks in Africa an advantage.

For information on how to apply, please follow the instructions posted in the earlier vacancy http://www.cropsforthefuture.org/?p=1192

Bioversity International is developing a programme of work on the use of biodiversity resources for food and nutrition. Bioversity’s research is designed to explore how biodiversity conservation and use can provide immediate local as well as global benefits to people, especially in developing countries facing a growing burden of malnutrition. Agricultural biodiversity within agroecosystems (including crop genetic diversity, neglected or orphan crops, and plants and animals in home gardens and in a range of niches including aquatic environments and forest margins) is an important a source of micronutrients and dietary diversity. Agricultural biodiversity is also crucial to counter trends towards uniform, simplified, and nutritionally poor diets.

Bioversity seeks to fill the international post of Senior Scientist in Nutrition with expertise in human nutrition to lead a global research programme investigating how agricultural biodiversity can contribute to improved nutrition and health. The incumbent would lead research that (i) provides systematic evidence of the links between agricultural biodiversity, dietary diversity and relevant health outcomes; (ii) documents the role of local foods, local food culture and traditional knowledge of plants and foods; (iii) identifies strategic options and pathways that mainstream biodiversity into cross-cutting policy and development agendas in agriculture, health, and environment.

Based at Bioversity’s office in Nairobi, Kenya and with a global mandate, the incumbent will work with partners, stakeholders at the global, national and local levels in implementing Bioversity’s strategy and research agenda in nutrition. Under the supervision of the Director of the Diversity for Livelihoods Programme, the incumbent will:
-  Provide scientific leadership on nutrition research issues pertaining to the use and conservation of agricultural biodiversity, particularly in the context of developing countries.
-  Build and lead the institutional programme linking nutrition and biodiversity, taking a primary role in developing strategic partnerships and networks. Serve as the focal point for nutrition research activities conducted by Bioversity.
-  Contribute to the implementation and refinement of Bioversity’s nutrition strategy in partnership with relevant research institutes, scientific and development bodies, integrating all the relevant research results and evidence, so that biodiversity is mainstreamed into cross cutting policy and development agendas.
-  Contribute to proposal development activities to the generation of additional financial and human resources to support the research agenda of the institute.

Qualifications and competencies:
Essential qualifications & competencies:
-  Ph.D. in community, international or public health, nutrition or related field.
-  Strong statistical background and experience in rigorous design of community nutritional studies and analyses.
-  Demonstrated international research experience in an area of Nutrition at the community and/or program levels, including senior positions and in developing countries.
-  Demonstrated competency in the management of people and other resources at a senior level, preferably in an international research or academic environment.
-  A substantial and sustained record of achievement and innovation including experience with strategy development and implementation and a demonstrated publication record in relevant fields.
-  A commitment to and demonstrated track record of working within multi-disciplinary teams and in multi-cultural environments.
-  Demonstrated competency in communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to motivate, catalyze and promote engagement through negotiation and consensus-building.
-  Experience with proposal development and fundraising
-  Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written.

Desirable competencies and qualifications:
-  Formal training and/or research experience in the use of biodiversity for food and nutrition, traditional and indigenous food systems, or food-based approaches to health.
-  Experience in implementing research supporting sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity including ecosystem health, ecology, plant sciences, or related economic aspects.
-  Participation in global for a and networks on the future of global and local food systems
-  Fluency in French, Spanish, or Arabic.

Terms and conditions: This is an internationally recruited position. Bioversity International offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement plan, medical insurance, housing allowance 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.

Applications: Please apply online through the following link: Bioversity Employment Opportunities Webpage by clicking the “Apply” button. Alternatively, via e-mail to: email hidden; JavaScript is required including a letter of application, curriculum vitae in English (that includes date of birth, gender and nationality) and the names and full contact details of at least three referees (telephone, fax and e-mail address); or via mail to: Human Resources Office, Bioversity International, Via de Tre Denari, 472/a, 00057 Maccarese, Rome, Italy; or via Fax to (39) 06 6118 341 no later than 15 November 2009. Please quote the source of advertisement.

Bioversity is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.
All received applications will be acknowledged, but only short listed applicants will be further contacted.
For further information on Bioversity International, consult its website.

20 PhD Scholarship Positions for Students from Developing Countries at the International Center for Development and Decent Work (ICDD) – starting March 1st, 2010 – Deadline for applications: November 15th, 2009

ICDD is an interdisciplinary and international scientific network of excellence with the head office located at the University of Kassel, Germany and partner universities in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Under its Graduate School of Socio-Ecological Research for Development, ICDD invites applications for 20 PhD scholarship positions for students from developing countries at the following internationally renowned universities:

8 at the University of Kassel, Germany in the fields of political and agricultural science,

2 at the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), India in the field of sociology,

2 at the Universidade Estaduale de Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil in the field of economics,

2 at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa in the field of sociology,

2 at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan in agricultural science,

2 at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatan (UADY), Mexico in agricultural science, and

2 at Egerton University (EGU), Kenya in agricultural science.

ICDD promotes three research clusters as a common framework for the design of prospective PhD projects:

1) Sustainable Value Creation for Decent Work: This cluster focuses on strategies to increase value creation by developing technologies for more efficient and sustainable use of resources and by improving human skills, preferably along agricultural commodity chains.

PhD applicants should be interested in analysing spatially and sectorally detailed urban-rural linkages to address the mobility of people, goods, services, money transfers, information, and associated flows of nutrients, energy and water.

2) Instruments for Promoting Decent Work: This cluster focuses on the effectiveness of existing instruments in enforcing minimum standards for labour as formulated by the International Labour Organization (ILO) such as public procurement, supply chain governance, and national minimum wages. PhD applicants should be interested in analysing such instruments and their effective implementation in different state contexts. A special focus should be directed towards their impact on or relevance for informal labour relations and particularly on the working conditions and lives of temporary labour migrants.

3) Strategies of Empowerment for Decent Work: This cluster focuses on the advocacy of good working conditions within economic and political decision-making processes against the background of eroding capacities of workers to engage in collective action due to the growing informal nature of work. Thereby special attention is directed towards particularly vulnerable groups, such as domestic workers. PhD applicants should be interested in exploring possible sources and forms of organisations to foster empowerment strategies within informal labour relations.

PhD students of the Graduate School will be based either at the University of Kassel or at one of ICDD’s international partner universities (see above), and will be enrolled in the respective university’s PhD training programmes. Please indicate in your application at which university you wish to be located. A joint international workshop programme on subjects of the ICDD, research methods, the linkage between theory and empirical research and for the presentation of the prospective PhD projects will take place every year within the Graduate School.

Scholarships will be awarded for four years under the precondition of a successful extension after one year. The scholarships will cover a country-specific monthly allowance according to DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) standards. All scholarships will include travel expenses for south-north and south-south mobility if necessary and funding for field research and the participation in Graduate School and ICDD activities.

For further information please see the ICDD webpage

or contact: Mrs. Simone Buckel, phone + 49(0)5618047395, email hidden; JavaScript is required

Information about grants for agriculture and environment projects is fragmented. An internet search often yields incomplete results, even after you spend hours or even days at the computer. Printed and online directories of grant makers are available, but many have to be purchased, and often at a substantial cost. This is where Terra Viva Grants comes in: 

Terra Viva Grants is not a grant giving organization; instead, it develops and manages information about grants for agriculture, energy, environment, and natural resources in the world’s developing countries. On the website, it provides profiles of over 300 grantmakers for the “green” sectors of the developing world and provides information about application deadlines, new and changed grants programs, and other funding news.

For information about green grants for developing countries, visit http://www.terravivagrants.org. To subscribe to a periodic news mailout, contact Terra Viva Grants at email hidden; JavaScript is required.