About the position

Based in Nairobi, Kenya and under the direct supervision of the Principal Scientist, the Legal Officer, Genetic Resources will work with a small team of scientists, led by the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT, under the aegis of the CGIAR Genebank Initiative, dealing with genetic resources policy issues.

Responsibilities

The specific tasks of the position include the following:

• Promote CGIAR’s compliance with existing international and national genetic resources-related policies and laws.
• Coordinate CGIAR engagement in international fora dealing with genetic resources policy issues.
• Coordinate and execute projects, especially within the Africa region, to strengthen capacity of national partner organizations to implement/operate under the framework of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Nagoya Protocol.
• Develop guidelines, model agreements and other supporting tools for implementation of relevant policies, laws and rules by CGIAR and national partners.
• Identify and apply new frameworks to design and implement projects or services worldwide and especially within the Africa region, especially with regards to genetic resources.
• Evaluate existing projects in the Africa region, bringing insights and improvements.
• Communicate with partners and institutions in the Africa region to ensure project objectives and work plans are conveyed and coordinated.
• Support scientists with literature reviews, assembling and analyzing datasets, surveying experts, and writing reports, briefs and journal articles.
• Contribute to the preparation of project proposals, work plans and reports.
• Collaborate with members of the team regarding other activities and objectives.

Requirements

• Degree in law. An additional university degree in a relevant field (law, policy, agronomy, biology, agricultural economics, rural sociology) is desirable.
• Previous work experience with national or regional organizations in Africa dealing with genetic resources policy including access and benefit sharing policies.
• Experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring capacity strengthening and training programs.
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work plans.
• Excellent teamwork skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with people at all levels in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment, including external stakeholders.
• Experience in drafting policies and or writing guidance documents for policy implementation.
• Proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.