Project Manager – Seeds for Resilience

The Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust) is an international organization with headquarters in Bonn, Germany whose mission is to ensure the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide. For further information about the Global Crop Diversity Trust, consult the web page at http://croptrust.org  

The Global Crop Diversity Trust is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of:

Project Manager – Seeds for Resilience

The Crop Trust, through the “Seeds for Resilience Project,” aims to empower national genebanks by documenting and managing crop diversity collections to high standards for conservation and use, and promoting their use as a basis for climate adaptation of vulnerable African cropping systems. The project is supported by the Federal Republic of Germany through the development bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and is conducted in Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, and Nigeria.

In 2019, the Crop Trust engaged a panel of experts to review the five genebanks partnering in the Seeds for Resilience project. That review reported on the status of genebank management processes and infrastructure, institutional organization and composition of crop diversity collections. From these reviews, recommendations were drafted for each of the genebanks. One component of these recommendations focused on upgrades to equipment and infrastructure. 

The final phase of Seeds for Resilience requires the coordination of infrastructure upgrades to the partner genebanks, the procurement of specialist equipment, assessing technical external review reports, developing project plans for eligible genebanks for continued funding from the endowment fund and preparing/coordinating the final donor report. The Crop Trust has contracted a team of consultants to develop detailed engineering plans for tendering. Lists of specialist equipment have been created and the project is in discussion with appropriate suppliers. What remains in the next year or so is to coordinate the delivery and installation of these upgrades with the national genebank partners. External technical reviewers have been recruited and reviews will be conducted July – September 2024. Once this phase is completed, the Project Manager will be responsible for implementing the next phase, which will be the disbursement of the endowment fund. 

The Crop Trust is therefore seeking a candidate for the position of Project Manager – Seeds for Resilience, to coordinate the close-out of the SFR project and develop and implement the long-term vision for the use of the Crop Trust endowment fund to support national genebank partners.

The responsibilities of the position include the following:

• Coordinate what remains of the implementation of SFR, in close collaboration with all other national and international partner organizations.
• Develop work plans with engineering specialists for the upgrading of SFR partner genebank infrastructure.
• Negotiate, process and monitor genebank partner agreements and subgrantee reports for infrastructure upgrades, supported by Crop Trust Finance and Contracts teams, and other experts.
• Coordinate the procurement of the specialist genebank equipment and consumables from the pre-reviewed lists, in line with KfW’s procurement requirements and implement corresponding endowment-funded projects.
• Manage the budget for remaining project activities and endowment-funded activities, with the support of the SFR Finance Officer.
• Liaise with national genebank partners closely and proactively to troubleshoot any problems and provide scientific advice and technical backstopping, including through site visits. Duty travel to sites in Africa, as well as other locations, is required.
• Serve on the SFR Management Team (MT).
• Develop report templates for partners and support the submission of reports by partners using the Crop Trust’s online Partner Reporting Tool.
• Conduct all necessary monitoring and evaluation of grantee performance and reporting to ensure that project targets are achieved.
• Assist with partner financial management (e.g. review of partner expenditure and supporting documents) and ensure that they are compliant with the Crop Trust’s and the donor’s financial rules and regulations.
• Write, or contribute to the writing of, reports, peer-reviewed publications, documents, and presentations as necessary.
• Represent the Crop Trust and the SFR Project as necessary.
• Contribute to the smooth and coordinated functioning of the Crop Trust Science Team, liaising with other teams as necessary for effective institutional cohesion.
• Perform any other duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• MSc in biological sciences, conservation of genetic resources, mechanical engineering or similar fields. An advanced degree in these areas will be an advantage.
• Relevant Professional and Academic qualifications in engineering or project management fields.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• At least seven years of relevant and progressive professional experience, preferably in an international setting.
• Expertise in Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, ideally in projects involving crop diversity, biodiversity conservation or genebank operations.
• Professional experience of coordinating engineering and / or infrastructure projects in Africa. Knowledge of genebank infrastructure or laboratories will be an advantage.
• Affinity with the Crop Trust’s mission and interest in genebanks, plant breeders and farmers in Africa.
• Strong computer skills, including good knowledge of databases, MS Office, and project management applications.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact effectively with a wide range of collaborators from different cultural backgrounds. Experience of working in a multicultural, international environment is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills in combination with impact-driven focus.
• High degree of initiative, judgement, creativity, and analytical abilities.

Terms and Conditions: The Crop Trust offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement savings plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. This is a Professional position classified as Level 4, with Level 6 being the highest. The salary range for Level 4 starts at Euro 55,000. All benefits are denominated and paid in Euros. Staff of the Crop Trust (including German nationals) are exempt from host country income tax. Relocation costs are covered for candidates residing outside of the Bonn/Cologne or surrounding areas. The contract duration will be for three year and will be subject to a probationary period of 12 months.

Applications: Interested candidates should submit the following (incomplete applications will not be considered):

1.     A one-page motivation letter including a summary of your qualifications and experience, indicating how you meet the expected set of skills and competencies for the position and your drivers for applying.

2.     Your Curriculum Vitae in English (please include your current residence address, telephone, and email address, date of birth, gender and nationality).

3.     Names and full contact details of at least three referees.

Deadline for applications is 15 July 2024.

By submitting your application, you agree to the Crop Trust processing your personal data as

described here.

The Trust is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.