We are looking for
A seed business advisor who is passionate about working with seed sector stakeholders on strengthening market-oriented, pluralistic and dynamic seed sectors across Africa and Asia.

The selected candidate has hands-on business experience to strengthen our team working on seed sector transformation. Our work portfolio contains short term and longer term development projects focusing on integrated seed sector development (ISSD). You will provide technical and methodological support to project staff and partners; support the strengthening of local and domestic seed companies in their business operations; facilitate business opportunities for Dutch/international (seed) companies; create a demand for and promote the uptake of quality seed; develop of alternative business models for early generation seed; develop mechanisms for seed quality assurance; and review seed regulatory framework for an enabling environment for seed business investment. In addition, you will facilitate the creation of strategic and effective partnerships with Dutch and international agribusinesses, financial institutes, development organizations, knowledge institutes, and (non-) government organisations; support seed sector development projects in the facilitation of innovation processes, policy dialogues, capacity strengthening, joint learning and action research; and facilitate training workshops and develop training related materials, methodologies and tools.

Next to implementing activities, you will contribute to further developing the Centre's international profile and portfolio of work in the area of integrated seed sector development. At WCDI, project implementation and capacity strengthening are closely intertwined and mutually reinforce each other. We expect the selected candidate to work at both. Assignments primarily take place in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, in-country, and also at regional level.

Requirements

• An MSc degree or PhD in a relevant field of sciences such as economics, business or agriculture;
• A minimum of eight years of work experience, with at least five years of experience working in seed business development in developing countries, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or Asia;
• Experience in private sector development and facilitation of public private partnerships;
• Experience in the acquisition and management of multi-annual projects;
• Affinity with capacity strengthening and facilitation of trainings;
• A strong interest in linking theory with policy and practice;
• High level communication and writing skills and sensitivity towards cultural differences;
• Affinity with an entrepreneurial and dynamic working environment;
• A result oriented team player, who is client oriented and stress resistant;
• Excellent English language skills; fluency in French and Portuguese will be an added benefit;
• Flexibility in work planning, able to work 12-15 weeks per year in target countries.

We offer

An initial one year contract of 36 hours per week with a performance based possibility for extension. Monthly salary will be between € 2609,= and maximum € 4847,= gross per month (scale 11, CAO WR) based on a fulltime (36 hours) employment. The salary is depending on education and experience. In addition we offer a holiday allowance of 8% of the annual salary and an end of year benefit of 3%.

Wageningen University & Research

The organisation
Wageningen University & Research
Delivering a substantial contribution to the quality of life. That's our focus - each and every day. Within our domain, healthy food and living environment, we search for answers to issues affecting society - such as sustainable food production, climate change and alternative energy. Of course, we don't do this alone. Every day, 6,500 people work on 'the quality of life', turning ideas into reality, on a global scale.
Could you be one of these people? We give you the space you need. For further information about working at Wageningen UR, take a look at www.wageningenur.nl/en/Jobs.htm.

You will join Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (CDI). We strengthening capacities for sustainable development in support of inclusive and sustainable food systems. We do so through our unique approaches in fostering lifelong learning, guiding sector transformation, managing for impact, facilitating stakeholder collaboration and strengthening strategic leadership. A close connection between project implementation and capacity development characterises our work. In their work with clients from governments, businesses, civil society, NGOs and the academic world, our group of 50 staff connects Wageningen University & Research's knowledge and expertise with the challenges to support inclusive and sustainable food systems in low and middle income countries.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at www.wur.nl/en/Jobs.htm.

For more information about the WCDI, please look at www.cdi.wur.nl.