⚡ New Feature

Auto-Apply to Jobs While You Sleep

Stop spending hours applying manually. Our Premium Auto-Apply scans new listings every day and sends your application automatically — so you never miss an opportunity.

🔒 Secured by Stripe 📋 Cancel anytime ✅ 100+ jobs applied monthly
Home Jobs Nairobi Sorghum Breeding Research Support Specialist

Sorghum Breeding Research Support Specialist

World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)  · Agriculture / Agro-Allied

Full Time Nairobi
Nairobi
Deadline: 12 June 2026
Posted June 3, 2026

The role encompasses a comprehensive range of duties and responsibilities designed to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness. Key tasks involve managing daily workflows, coordinating team efforts, and maintaining high standards of performance across all assigned projects. The position requires diligent oversight of project timelines, meticulous budget tracking, and proactive communication with stakeholders to align on objectives. Additionally, the role demands adherence to company policies, rigorous data analysis to inform decision-making, and the implementation of process improvements to enhance productivity. Candidates must possess strong organizational skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to delivering results in a fast-paced environment.

We provide assistance in breeding operations to ensure efficient and effective management of animal reproduction processes. Our team offers support in coordinating breeding schedules, maintaining accurate records, and monitoring animal health and genetics. Additionally, we implement best practices to optimize breeding outcomes, troubleshoot issues, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and a background in animal science or related fields are required for this role.

Assist in breeding initiatives by facilitating the systematic transfer of genetic material across various breeding phases.

Assist in the meticulous preparation, accurate labeling, and secure storage of materials, ensuring timely and efficient dispatch to support rapid-cycle advancement.

Accurately document and manage breeding materials to ensure precise record-keeping.

Facilitate the efficient movement of chosen materials between greenhouse, nursery, and breeding pipeline stages.

Logistics coordination for cross-docking and seed distribution is required.

Prepare and arrange seed packets, crossing kits, envelopes, labels, and other essential materials necessary for breeding operations in an organized manner.

Support seed sorting, packaging, reconciliation, and dispatch processes to facilitate crossing and advancement initiatives.

Support the monitoring of parental lines, cross progenies, and advanced breeding materials to maintain accurate identity and traceability.

Assist in organizing and managing seed inventories and breeding operation materials to ensure efficient and systematic storage.

Facilitate accelerated early-generation cycling processes to expedite product development cycles and enhance research efficiency.

Provide support in the management of materials derived from accelerated breeding cycles, encompassing progenies from initial-generation crosses and advancement materials associated with related lines.

Facilitate the prompt and precise transfer of breeding materials between operational stages to reduce potential bottlenecks in the workflow.

Facilitate the ongoing preparation of documentation required for routine crossings and progress within the RCGS workflow.

Assist in ensuring consistent material integrity throughout breeding cycles and transitions between breeding generations.

Responsible for managing the preparation, distribution, and tracking of clinical trial materials to ensure timely and accurate delivery to designated sites. This includes overseeing inventory levels, ensuring proper labeling, and maintaining documentation in compliance with regulatory standards. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to address logistical challenges and resolve any discrepancies that may arise.

Collaborate with the Trialing Research Associate to assemble trial kits, generate labels, prepare materials, and compile documentation essential for conducting sparse testing across multiple locations.

Verify that all essential materials required for field trials—including seeds and plot QR code labels—are accurately packed and dispatched in a timely manner.

Collaborate effectively with field teams, breeders, and logistics personnel to facilitate the seamless distribution of trial kits to partners.

Maintain accurate checklists and inventories for all kits and dispatched materials.

Accurate recording and systematic documentation of data are essential responsibilities of this role, ensuring meticulous maintenance of records and adherence to established protocols.

Accurately document all aspects of the breeding process, ensuring comprehensive records of crucial dates such as crossing, dispatch, and sparse testing locations. Capture details including trial planting, harvesting, data return, and material movement to maintain a thorough and precise operational history.

Maintain accurate documentation of all genetic materials and experimental procedures within the EBS system.

Provide support for data entry tasks and file management associated with breeding operations.

Essential documentation must be prepared to ensure quality assurance, maintain traceability, and facilitate accurate reporting.

Facilitate interdisciplinary teamwork with research scientists to drive innovative solutions and advance shared objectives.

Collaborate effectively with the Plant Breeder and other research team members to execute the operational components of the RCGS initiative.

Facilitate the implementation of genomic selection decisions into actionable breeding strategies.

Work collaboratively with breeders to ensure selected materials are prepared and progressed smoothly through the pipeline.

Offer constructive feedback regarding operational inefficiencies, including bottlenecks, delays, losses, and material-handling challenges, to drive continuous improvement.

Seeking a highly motivated individual to fill a critical role, the ideal candidate must demonstrate proficiency in project management, possess strong analytical skills, and exhibit exceptional attention to detail. Applicants should have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field, and familiarity with industry-standard software tools such as Microsoft Project or SAP. The position requires the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and maintain a proactive approach to problem-solving. Additionally, candidates must be adept at data analysis, capable of generating actionable insights, and skilled in communicating complex information clearly to stakeholders at all levels.

A Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Crop Science, Seed Science, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, or a closely related discipline is required.

Proficiency in seed processing, cultivation support within breeding nurseries, or participation in agricultural research initiatives within a robust plant breeding framework is essential.

Experience in assisting with breeding initiatives, conducting crossing operations, or managing germplasm logistics is required.

Proficient knowledge of dryland crops, including sorghum, pearl millet, and finger millet, is essential.

Professional candidates should possess hands-on experience in seed labeling, maintaining accurate inventory records, or overseeing breeding pipeline tracking systems.

Demonstrated capability to thrive in a high-velocity research setting while consistently meeting multiple critical deadlines.

Must be able to accommodate occasional travel to partner sites.

Qualifications

BA/BSc/HND

More jobs in Nairobi