The posting
CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.
For more information, visit: www.cimmyt.org
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), a CGIAR research center, is seeking a Seed Systems Specialist to strengthen seed systems and improve access to quality seed of climate-resilient, farmer-preferred varieties across Africa.
CIMMYT is seeking a Seed Systems Specialist to strengthen seed systems and improve access to quality seed of climate-resilient, farmer-preferred varieties across Africa. The role focuses on strengthening early generation seed production, certified and quality-declared seed multiplication, seed quality assurance, institutional capacity and last-mile delivery. The Specialist will work with research institutions, seed regulators, private seed companies, government partners and humanitarian organizations to develop sustainable seed systems, strengthen local seed enterprises and promote employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
The location of this position will be Nairobi, Kenya, with approximately 20–30% travel across Africa, subject to security conditions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess needs and plan supply: Assess seed-system bottlenecks by crop, season and location, including constraints related to conflict, displacement and market access. Prepare demand-based roadmaps for priority cereal and grain legume varieties, linked to planting calendars and local production capacity.
- Coordinate early generation seed: Work with research institutes, breeders and seed companies to plan timely breeder and foundation seed production, pre-orders and licensing. Link production volumes and schedules to demand in target areas.
- Strengthen institutional capacity: Build the capacity of national research institutes, seed regulators, inspection services, extension agencies and local producers. Support staff training and mentoring, seed quality protocols, inspection and certification systems, maintenance breeding, and clear operating procedures.
- Develop and sustain seed infrastructure: Assess, prioritize and advise on the development or rehabilitation of infrastructure needed for seed production and quality assurance. This may include irrigated production sites, screenhouses, laboratories, seed cleaning and processing equipment, and suitable storage, including cold storage where required. Support equipment commissioning, operating procedures and maintenance plans.
- Expand local quality seed production and enterprises: Support public, private and community producers to scale certified and quality-declared seed production through decentralized multiplication, contract growing and community seed enterprises. Strengthen viable business models and market links, including opportunities for women and young people.
- Improve farmer access and delivery: Strengthen agro-dealer and last-mile networks, farmer hubs and locally appropriate seed delivery. In remote or disruption-affected areas, use seed vouchers, fairs or direct distribution as appropriate, and connect seed access with demonstrations and good agricultural practice advice.
- Coordinate partners, implementation and learning: Build partnerships with government, research, private-sector and humanitarian actors. Lead seed systems workplans, budgets, partner agreements and reporting; work with monitoring teams to track production, infrastructure and institutional capacity, farmer access, adoption, varietal age and employment; and share lessons to guide ongoing work.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement partner-agreed seed roadmaps for priority crops, based on seed-system assessments and demand in target areas.
- Coordinate the planning and timely supply of breeder, foundation, certified and quality-declared seed, working with research institutes, breeders, seed companies and local producers.
- Support training, mentoring and capacity development for research institutes, seed regulators, inspection services, extension agencies and local seed producers.
- Support the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of seed production and quality assurance infrastructure, including production sites, laboratories, processing equipment and storage facilities.
- Strengthen local seed production and enterprise development through public, private and community-based producers, decentralized multiplication, contract growing and market linkages.
- Improve farmer access to quality seed through agro-dealer networks, farmer hubs and appropriate last-mile delivery mechanisms, including seed vouchers, seed fairs and direct distribution where needed.
- Coordinate partners, workplans, budgets, agreements, monitoring, reporting and knowledge-sharing across seed systems activities.
Key Deliverables and Performance Indicators
- Partner-agreed seed roadmaps completed for priority crops within six months and updated as needed.
- Timely seed supply across breeder, foundation, certified and quality-declared classes, with producer support and market linkages documented.
- Stronger institutional capacity and functional seed infrastructure, including training, improved quality systems and maintenance arrangements.
- Farmer access and adoption tracked, including unique farmers reached, women’s and youth participation, improved-variety use and varietal age.
- Seed-sector jobs created or sustained and verified, with job type, duration, sex and age recorded.
- Technical and donor reports submitted on schedule and in the required format.
Requirements
- PhD in Seed Science and Technology, Plant Breeding, Agronomy or a related field.
- At least four years of experience in seed systems in sub-Saharan Africa, including early generation seed (EGS), certified seed scale-up and quality assurance.
- Experience working with research institutes, seed regulators, private seed companies, farmer seed access schemes and donor-funded programmes.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Desirable qualifications and experience:
- Experience working in fragile or conflict-affected settings.
- Experience in cereal and grain legume seed systems.
- Experience in seed enterprise development or employment programming.
- Familiarity with seed planning and assessment tools.
Benefits
The position is for an initial fixed-term for three (3) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.
Applications must include a CV with contact details (telephone and email address) of 3 work-related references along with the confirmation that Recruitment can contact them) and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.
