Job Detail

Job Description

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) seeks to recruit a Research Project Coordinator -Product Management to understand market forces, assessing demands and putting this knowledge into product development, product placements and management is critical to advance our mission in Africa to help smallholder farmers and consumers with right improved products.

ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR Research Centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

ILRI hosts the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Nairobi (www.irri.org) with its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna in the Philippines. IRRI is the world’s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations.

Key Responsibilities

Purpose

• Developing the mechanism and product advancement criteria for various breeding pipelines
• Developing product key characteristics and profiles for priority market segments
• Product positioning, portfolio management and life cycle management recommendations
• Facilitating mechanisms / tools to capture demand and supply
• Creating critical linkages needed for product advancements
• Contributing to the impact assessment of IRRI bred germplasms and varieties (% market share)
• Contributing to secure, plan and manage budget for the Product Management group

Engagement

• Monitoring competitive landscape with respect to the products and the markets players
• Providing feedback to the Plant Breeding and Seed Systems teams on evolving market trends and changing competitive landscape

Delivery

• Develop and deliver training programs in product management concepts to IRRI teams and NARES partners
• Design tools and draft training materials
• Contribute to the capacity development of other CGIAR centers in the field of product management
• Act as resource person for training courses and visitors
• Consolidate, evaluate and analyze research/project findings related to product management
• Draft manuscripts for publication in referred journals
• Submit project reports
• Prepare posters and papers for presentation at local and international conferences

Requirements

• M.Sc in plant breeding, Agronomy or MBA in Agri-business Management and 7- 9 years of relevant experience or Ph.D. degree in plant breeding, Agronomy with 4-5 years’ experience
• Knowledge and extensive experience in the field of product management, business planning, market development, agri and allied subjects. Has experience of working with extension workers and market stakeholders
• Excellent analytical and scientific documentary/compilation skills.
• Strong oral and written communication as well as organization and interpersonal skills
• Good presentation skills

Post location: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya

Job Level

This position is at job level HG 16 and it is only open to Kenyan nationals. ILRI offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes; pension, medical, education and other insurances.

 How to apply: Applicants should send a cover letter and CV expressing  their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to the Director, People and Organizational Development by clicking on the "Apply Now" tab above before 20 October 2022. The position title and reference number REF: PM/ IRRI/2022 should be clearly marked on the subject line of the cover letter.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working for ILRI. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ILRI does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). ILRI also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.

To find out more about ILRI visit our websites at http://www.ilri.org

 ILRI is an equal opportunity employer.