Training and Knowledge Management Specialist at CIMMYT

Location: Mexico
Last Date: July 31, 2011
Email: jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org

Training & Knowledge Management Specialist

Do you want to use your knowledge of modern communication and education tools to empower farmers, extension personnel and the private sector to become more effective market participants and stewards/developers of the agricultural resource base? The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) seek an experienced and results-oriented specialist to coordinate maize and wheat system-related training and knowledge management activities in Mexico, and potentially Latin America. The position will be located at CIMMYT headquarters in Texcoco, Mexico, about one hour northeast of Mexico City.

Responsibilities and Reporting:

The position is part of an interdisciplinary team of staff and partners focused on the agricultural modernization of important maize and wheat production systems in Mexico. Within this 10-year, large-scale program, the Training & Knowledge Management Specialist will:

1. Develop and implement a prioritized and integrated strategy for capacity building and knowledge management for farmers, extension workers, private sector personnel, and researchers.
2. Liaise with internal and external team members to facilitate the planning, implementation, and evaluation of training courses, workshops, and field days, as well as the activities of degree students and visiting scientists, with emphasis on modularized curricula and learning materials that support impacts in the participatory learning and technology dissemination hubs.
3. Coordinate the development of knowledge management and learning tools and approaches, including guidance and support to scientists (focus, content development, and scaling out) to support impact generation through the innovation networks established in the hubs.
4. Enable learning within regional networks of researchers, extension facilitators, and commercial entities, to scale up and strengthen technology dissemination.
5. Supervise a small team who support and develop training and information materials, and contribute to the training and knowledge management strategies of CIMMYT and of new projects.
6. Write up concise reports on various courses and events for internal publication and communication usage.

Skills and experience sought:

1. MSc/PhD degree in agricultural or Educational Science.
2. At least three-to-five years experience in understanding and effectively addressing the information and capacity building needs of farmers, extension personnel, or small companies at a significant scale, using highly-leveraged approaches.
3. A track record of pragmatically contributing to the work of an interdisciplinary team with a strong client and impact orientation.
4. Excellent organizational skills with solid written and spoken English and Spanish.
5. Broad knowledge of learning and information exchange tools and their relative effectiveness in reaching various audiences.
6. Experience in developing learning materials, learning management systems, and educational videos, and in the use of distance/on-site education.
7. You enjoy coordinating workshops, courses, and operational details, while simultaneously designing and delivering tools and mechanisms for pro-active information and knowledge sharing that supports generation of impact in the field.

CIMMYT (www.cimmyt.org) is an internationally funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR, www.cgiar.org) and has an annual budget of about US$ 91 million. CIMMYT’s mission is to sustainably increase the productivity of maize and wheat systems to ensure global food security and reduce poverty. The center is a global leader in maize and wheat breeding, biotechnology, socioeconomics, and natural resource management research. CIMMYT employs about 700 permanent staff and operates through decentralized partnerships, with staff in 15 countries and projects and networks in many more. The position is initially available for a period of three years, with extension based on performance. CIMMYT offers an attractive compensation package.

CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.


Apply online no later than July 31, 2011.

At www.cimmyt.org, click on “About us – Job Opportunities- 2011/08 Position” Please complete the online application, including your cover letter, competencies and experience for the position, and a detailed CV/resume.

For further information, contact Dr. Petr Kosina, Manager Knowledge information and training Center, p.kosina@cgiar.org or the Human Resources Office, jobs-cimmyt@cgiar.org. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.