Chief Scientist

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director General, the Chief Scientist (cs) will provide high level guidance and advice on all the scientific aspects of the Center. The CS is expected to lead the research and development activities of the Center to position ICBA as the Center of excellence in dry and saline environments.. The Chief Scientist is responsible for leading the Center’s scientific research directions and operations through managing effectively and efficiently the research programs; promote a culture of team work and collaboration; and create an enabling environment conducive to intellectual research and development growth. The Chief Scientist is expected to play a major role in the Center’s resource mobilization effort through program development and cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders and donor agencies.

Job Responsibilities

• Advise and support ICBA’s board and Director General on all scientific research and development aspects in line with the center’s strategic direction.
• Provide direction in the formulation and development of the research strategic plan of the Center.
• provide research leadership, which includes identifying new research areas, promoting and facilitating research, in addition to transferring knowledge to society through outreach e.g., collaborative research; seminars; workshops; lectures; websites; publications, in the research areas of the Center.
• Formulate, develop, implement, and evaluate scientific programs based on ICBA’s strategic priorities.
• Lead, engage, and empower ICBA scientists and create an enabling environment that assists them to realize and develop their potential.
• Ensure that the skills and expertise of ICBA’s scientists are up to par to keep the Center at the leading edge of research.
• Represent the center in relevant international science boards and high-level scientific committees, events, and conferences.
• Lead the scientific high-level interactions required with national, regional, and international organizations.
• Collaborate with the Partnership and Resource Mobilization unit on funding proposals, ensuring that contracts are executed properly and efficiently.
• Coordinate with Monitoring and Evaluation unit regarding impact reports and external reviews of the center’s research scientific activities.
• Plan and manage efficiently and effectively the budgeting and execution of scientific projects and research development.
• Ensure effective communication to promote the Center’s research.
• Perform other tasks and projects as requested by the Director General

Qualifications and Experience

Essential**:**

• PhD in agricultural/life sciences, or related scientific field.
• A minimum of ten years of work experience (beyond doctoral degree), in agricultural research, preferably at international recognized agricultural research centers or universities.
• Strong publication record.
• Solid experience in proposal writing, and skilled with grant-funded programs.
• Ability to foster multidisciplinary research within the Center and with its regional and international collaborators.
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Preferable:

• Written and spoken communication in the Arabic language.