Banana Breeding Lead (Re-advertisement)Expiring Soon!

• Lead and coordinate interdisciplinary research initiatives to advance banana and plantain crop improvement across IITA’s focus countries
• Implement an effective breeding strategy to develop elite breeding material and a product advancement process to identify new candidate varieties for targeted market segments
• Lead the modernization of banana and plantain crop improvement at IITA, with support from the Breeding Innovation Services (EiB) and Bayer Crop Science teams
• Set breeding priorities in collaboration with key stakeholders and ensure the banana strategy aligns with the Breeding for Tomorrow (B4T) framework
• Foster high-quality breeding research by strengthening and integrating molecular and metabolomic tools and bioassays to accelerate selection efficiency
• Obtain, identify and develop appropriate germplasm to sustain the breeding program and support germplasm distribution to collaborating partners
• Coordinate the stage-gate multilocation product performance testing strategy, data analysis and advancement process
• Ensure cost-effective breeding operations and standard operating procedures that deliver agreed quality and performance indicators
• Contribute to infrastructural development of the plantain breeding program (Ibadan), the Mchare breeding program (NM-AIST, Arusha) and the Matoke breeding program (Sendusu, Uganda)
• Foster integration of the IITA highland banana breeding program in Sendusu-Namulonge with the NARO banana breeding program in Kawanda
• Develop strong partnerships with national public breeding programs, scientists from other disciplines, industry partners and end users
• Mobilize resources to sustain and grow the breeding program

Qualifications & Experience:

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics or a related field
• At least 10 years of experience in plant breeding programs
• Evidence of significant management skills, including change management and leading successful breeding teams
• Proven track record in resource mobilization
• Experience of managing staff and budgets

Skills & Competencies:

• Ability to work well in a diverse multicultural environment
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to build consensus and function as part of a team
• Problem solving and decision-making skills
• Resilience under pressure with sound risk judgment