Senior Scientist- Tree Breeding and Integrated Tree Seed Systems

• Lead and contribute to research on tree seed systems, including the identification,
  establishment, and management of improved seed sources and breeding seed orchards, to
  enhance genetic quality, adaptability, and scalability of planting materials.
  
• Analyze and influence institutional and policy environments governing tree seed and seedling
  supply chains, to strengthen regulatory frameworks and stakeholder alignment.
  
• Drive resource mobilization for tree genetic resources programs, to expand research efforts and
  ensure long-term sustainability of seed systems innovations.
  
• Establish and manage strategic networks and platforms with national, regional, and international
  partners on seed system development, to foster collaboration and cross-regional learning.
  
• Contribute to the development of a Global Tropical Tree Seed Hub, to centralize efforts in quality
  seed delivery, innovation, and technical capacity across the tropics.
  
• Contribute to species prioritisation and site-species matching methodologies, to support
  restoration effectiveness and climate-smart agroforestry.
  
• Enhance access to climate-resilient and genetically diverse tree seeds and seedlings, in close
  collaboration with Theme teams, to promote ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and
  biodiversity outcomes.
  
• Collaborate actively with scientists and teams from other CIFOR-ICRAF Themes and regional
  programs to ensure interdisciplinary integration and coherence across landscape restoration and
  agroforestry initiatives.
  
• Design and deliver training programs, tools, and curricula on seed systems and seed quality
  standards, to build institutional and community-level capacities.
  
• Provide expert technical support and advisory services to national and international
  stakeholders, to improve seed value chains and project outcomes.
  
• Ensure high-quality technical reporting and knowledge outputs are delivered on time,
  aligned with project milestones and donor expectations, to support transparency, learning, and
  scaling.
  

• Provide strategic oversight and operational leadership across tree seed system initiatives,
  ensuring integration of technical, financial institutional, and policy components to deliver high quality outputs and outcomes.
  
• Coordinate, manage, and follow up execution of complex multi-country projects, including those
  involving the development and scaling of improved seed sources and breeding systems, aligned
  with CIFOR-ICRAF’s restoration and agroforestry objectives.
  
• Supervise and mentor multidisciplinary teams (staff, consultants, fellows, and partners),
  fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture that supports scientific rigor and innovation.
  
• Guide the preparation of project implementation plans, workstreams, and budgets, ensuring
  timely delivery, efficiency, and alignment with donor requirements and institutional policies.
  
• Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems are embedded within project
  cycles to track progress, capture insights, and inform adaptive management.
  
• Contribute to donor relations, including the development of progress and technical reports,
  active participation in donor meetings, and alignment of deliverables with partner expectations.
  
• Support the organization and facilitation of technical workshops, knowledge exchange events,
  and stakeholder engagements, contributing to the visibility and uptake of research findings.
  
• Collaborate with Theme leader and other relevant team scientists in the formulation and
  monitoring of the annual Program of Work and Budget (PWB), integrating project-level priorities
  into broader strategic plans.
  
• Ensure full compliance with institutional and donor standards, including risk mitigation, gender
  and social inclusion, and safeguarding protocols.
  
• Identify and assess operational or reputational risks across project sites, propose solutions or
  mitigating actions, and escalate critical issues where necessary to Theme or Country leadership.
  
• Represent CIFOR-ICRAF in national and international technical, policy, and donor platforms,
  contributing expert insights on seed systems to shape global restoration agendas.
  
• Actively collaborate with other CIFOR-ICRAF Themes and regional programs, ensuring alignment
  and mutual reinforcement of efforts across organizational initiatives.
  

Requirements

• At least 7 years of post-doctoral research and scientific experience, including work on
  tree seed systems, tree improvement, and landscape restoration.
  
• Minimum 4 years in leading complex, multi-country research-for-development projects,
  preferably also in Africa, with demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary coordination.
  
  
• Proven experience in engaging with policy makers, private sector, and community-level
  stakeholders, and facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms.
  
  
• Demonstrated success in resource mobilization as role, including developing competitive
  grant proposals, writing funding applications, and managing donor-funded projects.
  
  
• Strong track record of peer-reviewed publications, technical outputs, and knowledge
  products relevant to tree seed systems.
  
  
• Experience in curriculum development and capacity strengthening, particularly in seed
  systems or applied forestry.