Coordinator for the CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources
Programme
______________________________________________________________
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR), a consortium of 41 donors agencies, supports a network
of 16 international agricultural research centres located around
the world, mainly in developing countries. The centres of the
CGIAR maintain, in trust for the world community, large ex situ
collections of genetic resources of major food and forage crops.
In total more than 500,000 accessions are held in 11 different
genebanks within the CGIAR system. In addition to crops, the
centres are involved in research and training on the conservation
and use of forest, livestock and aquatic genetic resources.
In May 1994 the CGIAR launched the System-wide Genetic Resources
Programme (SGRP) with the aim of increasing its overall efficiency,
effectiveness, governance and transparency. Most of the CGIAR centres
are represented on the Inter-Centre Working Group on Genetic Resources
(ICWG-GR), which acts as the Programme's steering committee, and one of
the centres, the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI),
was named as convening centre for the SGRP.
The establishment of SGRP requires strengthened coordination and
communication among the participating centres as well as with
partners outside the CGIAR. It has thus been decided to establish
a small permanent secretariat for the SGRP, headed by an
internationally recruited coordinator, to be located at IPGRI's
headquarters in Rome, Italy.
The role of the coordinator will include:
(1) carrying out a plan of work as determined by the ICWG-
GR;
(2) promoting and coordinating SGRP activities among CGIAR
Centres and their partners;
(3) managing SGRP Secretariat activities, which include:
* support to the ICWG-GR
* coordination of ICWG-GR meetings
* timely production of Agenda and reports of ICWG-GR
meetings
(4) preparation of reports to be presented at other relevant
fora, e.g., the FAO Commission on Plant Genetic Resources,
and meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity;
(5) providing a focal point for relevant information within
and outside the CGIAR;
(6) promoting SGRP public awareness and fundraising
activities;
(7) managing the System-wide Information Network on
Genetic Resources;
(8) managing the CGIAR electronic bulletin board/conferencing
system on biodiversity (BIO-REM);
(9) providing support to CGIAR and SGRP on technical and
scientific input to relevant fora.
IPGRI is looking for a suitably qualified person for the position of
Coordinator. The Coordinator shall be an ex officio member of the
ICWG-GR and serve on the Executive Committee of the ICWG-GR as
secretary.
DURATION AND LOCATION: The initial appointment will be for three
years, based at IPGRI's headquarters in Rome, Italy, but with
extensive travel worldwide.
REQUIREMENTS: PhD (or equivalent) in genetic resources/breeding
or other relevant discipline, and a good understanding of major
global genetic resources issues in relation to the Convention
on Biological Diversity, Agenda 21 and FAO's Commission on Plant
Genetic Resources. Demonstrated management capability, good
written and oral communication skills with fluency in English,
and an ability to work internationally in a multi-cultural
environment are also required. Ability to communicate in other
major languages is an added advantage.
COMPENSATION PACKAGE: IPGRI offers an internationally competitive
salary and benefits package which includes pension, life
insurance, health insurance, educational assistance, cost of
living and housing allowances.
APPLICATIONS: Send detailed c.v. and application letter, together
with the names and fax numbers of three referees, to Dr Masa Iwanaga,
Deputy Director General (Programme), IPGRI, Via delle Sette Chiese
142, 00145 Rome, Italy. Tel: (39-6) 51892200; Fax: (39-6) 5750309;
Email: IPGRI@CGNET.COM or M.IWANAGA@CGNET.COM. The deadline for
applications is 20 March 1995.
IPGRI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strives for staff
diversity in gender and nationality.