Skip to main content
I

ICARDA Research Officer III – Seed Systems Vacancy 2026 – Addis Ababa

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
1 hour ago
Full-time
On-site
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Agriculture Jobs in Ethiopia, NGO Jobs in Ethiopia, Research Jobs in Ethiopia

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is seeking a Research Officer III – Seed Systems to support seed systems projects and activities in Ethiopia and other African countries.

The position will contribute to strengthening formal and informal seed systems, scaling improved crop varieties, supporting Early Generation Seed (EGS) production and delivery models, developing seed sector capacity, and coordinating partnerships among public and private sector stakeholders.

Job Summary

  • Position: Research Officer III – Seed Systems
  • Organization: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
  • Reference: ROSS/ICARDA/019/26
  • Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Position Level: HG 15
  • Employment Type: National Staff (NS)
  • Contract: Initial one-year appointment, renewable based on performance and funding availability
  • Minimum Base Salary: USD 1,271 per month
  • Required Experience: Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience
  • Deadline: 30 September 2026

Key Responsibilities

  • Support implementation of seed systems and bilateral development projects with seed components in Ethiopia and other African countries.
  • Assist in developing and operationalizing seed system strengthening strategies and scaling models for cereals, legumes, forages, and other priority crops.
  • Contribute to approaches for Early Generation Seed (EGS) production, seed quality assurance, seed business development, variety dissemination and scaling, and community- and village-based seed enterprises.
  • Support seed tracking and varietal identification systems.
  • Assist in organizing varietal demonstrations, field days, seed fairs, and stakeholder consultations to increase awareness and demand for improved varieties.
  • Support coordination among seed value-chain stakeholders, including national agricultural research systems, seed companies, universities, NGOs, farmer organizations, development agencies, and government institutions.
  • Maintain effective communication and follow-up with project partners and stakeholders.
  • Support technical trainings, workshops, and capacity development programs on seed systems and seed technologies.
  • Contribute to technical manuals, guidelines, training materials, policy briefs, and communication products.
  • Document best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from seed systems interventions.
  • Assist in developing work plans, activity schedules, and implementation frameworks.
  • Contribute to technical reports, donor reports, progress updates, and presentations.
  • Support seed system assessments, baseline studies, market analyses, and stakeholder mapping.
  • Assist in analyzing seed demand, variety adoption trends, and bottlenecks in seed delivery systems.
  • Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Education and Qualifications

  • MSc degree in Seed Science, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.

Professional Experience

  • Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in seed systems, the seed sector, crop improvement programs, or related areas.
  • Experience working with national and regional agricultural institutions in Africa.
  • Practical knowledge of seed production systems, seed value chains, and seed policy environments.
  • Experience in project coordination and stakeholder engagement.
  • Experience with donor-funded agricultural development projects is desirable.

Required Skills

  • Strong technical understanding of seed systems and seed sector development.
  • Excellent coordination, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong analytical and report-writing abilities.
  • Ability to work in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
  • Good organizational and project management skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data management tools.
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of additional African languages is an advantage.

Salary and Benefits

The minimum base salary is USD 1,271 per month.

The position is part of the remuneration package for nationally recruited staff in Ethiopia, which includes salary and benefits such as life and medical insurance and an offshore pension plan, according to the source vacancy.

Terms of Appointment

This is a National Staff (NS) position with an initial one-year appointment. Renewal is subject to performance and funding availability.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit:

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Names and contact details, including telephone and email, of three referees who are familiar with the applicant's professional qualifications and work experience

Applicants should clearly indicate REF: ROSS/ICARDA/019/26 in the subject line of the cover letter.

Apply Online

http://ilri.simplicant.com/

Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

ICARDA/ILRI states that it does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, processing, or training.

Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Join ETcareers on Telegram

📲 Get the latest Jobs in Ethiopia, NGO, UN, Banking, IT & Fresh Graduate vacancies.

👉 Join: https://t.me/Etcareersjobs